Besson artists Bastien Baumet and Alexis Demailly led a new initiate in Germany recently.

The renowned French performers led masterclasses at the 4th Jena Brass Band Workshop (Jenaer Blechbläser-Seminar) based at the new Competence Center for Brass.

Inspire

Delegates from all parts of Germany came to the event which saw Bastien (Euphonium professor at the Conservatory of Lyon and Paris Brass Band) and Alexis (Cornetist at the Paris Opera) provide tuition, guidance and inspiration for performers of all ages and abilities.

At the end of the event the duo joined the participants for a concert with Brass Band BlechKLANG.

Speaking about the event, Alexis told 4BR: "It was a wonderful occasion with the players, all of whom wanted to improve their performance experiences. We concentrated on simple measures as well as more complex areas to help with production, tonality and technique and both Bastien and I were amazed by the progress made."

Valuable experiences

In response, event organiser, Martin Feibicke told 4BR: "The course offered so many valuable experiences for players and the Jena Competence Centre for Brass was the perfect venue."

Meanwhile, Patricio Cosentino, Creative Director of the Jena Brass Band Workshop added: "With this series we wanted to bring a comprehensive approach to benefit all the players. We therefore also welcomed Franz Windhager to give an 'mouthpiece clinic, allowing participants try different mouthpieces in action to see what difference and benefit they gave."

The weekend was rounded off by the players getting together for a concert where Brass Band BlechKLANG accompanied Bastien Baumet in renditions of 'Harlequin' by Philip Sparke and ''Neath the Dublin Skies' by Paul Lovatt-Cooper.

The course offered so many valuable experiences for players and the Jena Competence Centre for Brass was the perfect venueevent organiser, Martin Feibicke

Honour

Alexander Richter, Musical Director of BlechKLANG, told 4BR: "It was a great honour for us to share the stage with Bastien. We are very happy that the Jena Brass Band Workshops always offer us the opportunity to perform with such outstanding musicians.

Next year we want to bring four lecturers to Jena to cover the entire breadth of brass instruments. Nobody should miss this opportunity!"