In this week's 'Besson Fridays at Home', Philip Harper, Steven Mead and Roger Webster are joined by special guests, euphonium star Thomas Ruedi from Switzerland, and globe-trotting Belgian cornet soloist Harmen Vanhoorne, who is now living in New Zealand.

Thomas

We hear from Thomas about his playing background in Switzerland and how he was inspired by hearing his first great brass band.

It meant that he eventually took the decision to study at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester — and the incredible tale of how he ended up lodging in Nora Batty's house during his time in Holmfirth!

He speaks about being taught by the great major Peter Parkes and how his musical journey saw him return home to work with BrassBand Burgermusik Lucerne, and to teach the future generations of brass players at his schools in Lucerne and Berne.

Thomas also has a coming thread with Harmen — as both have become leading small ensemble performers.

he eventually took the decision to study at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester — and the incredible tale of how he ended up lodging in Nora Batty's house during his time in Holmfirth!4BR

Harmen

Harmen moved to New Zealand a year ago and is clearly enjoying himself very much. Besson Friday at Home caught up with him on the New Zealand Schools Youth Band course — although the only place he could get a strong enough 3G signal was kneeling down next to a tree which obviously causes a lot of amusement to people arriving at the course!

We get to hear Harmen in performance with his duo, Doux, which has gained so much respect and popularity in the last few years, as well as a conductor with BrassBand Buizingen, shortly before moving to New Zealand.

Harmen talks about his globetrotting life and also about some of the exciting musical projects he is now working on — including an opera.

All this and plenty more great chat and insight from the team as they provide great Friday evening entertainment for the weekend ahead.