Fulham Brass Band's latest weekly learning session on Monday 24th August will see them joined by the celebrated Dutch composer Johan de Meij.

Since the start of the lockdown the band has enjoyed weekly link-ups with an impressive list of special guests, including Bramwell Tovey, Simone Rebello, Anna Meredith, Bruce Broughton, Philip Smith and many more.

European test-piece

Johan de Meij, who will talk about his iconic work 'Extreme Makeover', originally commissioned to be used as the set-work at the 2005 European Championships in Groningen.

The work entitled, 'Metamorphoses on a Theme of Tchaikovsky' draws its inspiration from the Russian composer's well-known 'Andante Cantabile' second movement of his String Quartet No.1 in D Opus.11, written in 1871.

It famously opens with a quartet of two cornets, horn and euphonium before dramatically developing from a single note through to an extended marimba solo which is preceded by players playing tuned bottles by using the 'hoketus' technique of blowing into the tops to produce single notes. It ends in triumphant style.

The band has also opened the invitation to all 4BR readers to join this session.

Spectacular

MD John Ward told 4BR: "All our guests in recent months have been fantastic, and incredibly generous with their time. We wanted to share something of what we've enjoyed with others and this session seemed the perfect opportunity to do this".

He added: "Extreme Makeover is spectacular, and Johan is really looking forward to talking about the inspiration and themes behind it."

Book a spot

The session will take place at 7.30pm on Monday 24th August.

If you wish to be added to the guest list to enjoy be a part of the session, send an e-mail to johnflugel@yahoo.co.uk

Places are not unlimited so it will be first come first served.