*
banner

Besson Fridays at Home: Episode 18

The Besson trio of Philip, Steven and Roger are joined by two trumpet and cornet stars making vital career moves at the right time.

bESSON fRIDAY
  The team are joined by Alan Thomas and Thomas Neilsen

One Episode 18 of Besson Fridays at Home the team of Philip Harper, Steven Mead and Roger Webster are joined by a brace of outstanding trumpet/cornet players making vital career choices for themselves.

Alan Thomas and Thomas Nielsen

Alan Thomas is the former Principal Trumpet of the BBC Symphony Orchestra and City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the first trumpet of the Onyx Brass Quintet and a member of the critically acclaimed Septura Brass Septet.

Meanwhile, Thomas Nielsen won the 2018 BBC Radio 2 Young Brass Player of the Year award and is a former principal cornet of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain. An award winning performer, he is currently studying at the Guildhall School of Music.

We hear about their early upbringings, parental influence, and their first bands, but also about the vital decisions they are now taking to shape their future careers.

Thomas is proud of his Salvation Army heritage and how his father has been a strong guiding influence, whilst Alan talks about his time with Hangleton Band.

New horizons

Now though both are looking at new horizons — Thomas at the beginning of what he hopes will be a long and successful professional career, and Alan with a new appointment as a professional musician with the RAF Music Services.

The lads also have some great lockdown videos as well as live concert videos from pre-pandemic times.

Once again there is fascinating chat, tips and insights — as well as the usual witty stories of occasional mishaps!

It all adds up to a great way to start your musical weekend.

Enjoy:


Go to: All this and more in this week's superb Episode 18 of Besson Fridays at Home

https://www.facebook.com/BessonBrass/

https://www.facebook.com/4barsrest

Previous Episodes:

Episode 17:
Amos Miller and Mark Templeton
https://www.facebook.com/BessonBrass/videos/1173452629755844

Episode 16:
Cory Tuba Section
https://www.facebook.com/BessonBrass/videos/538321640819626

Episode 15:
Frank Renton
https://www.facebook.com/BessonBrass/videos/2305046332961086

Episode 14:
Scott Kerr & Chris Shanks
https://www.facebook.com/BessonBrass/videos/109984231009544

Episode 13:
Maurice Murphy Tribute
https://www.facebook.com/BessonBrass/videos/449847116384239

Episode 12:
Keith Hutchinson and Tom Smith
https://www.facebook.com/BessonBrass/videos/696285934615157

Episode 11:
Phil Cobb and Stephen Cobb
https://www.facebook.com/BessonBrass/videos/173773204414220

Episode 10:
Chris Bradley and Mike Cavanagh
https://www.facebook.com/BessonBrass/videos/378376613490663

Episode 9:
Helen Harrelson and Misa Mead
https://www.facebook.com/BessonBrass/videos/403404634387318

Episode 8:
Thomas Ruedi and Harmen Vanhoorne
https://www.facebook.com/BessonBrass/videos/403021190697675

Episode 7:
Davur Juul Magnussen and John Barber
https://www.facebook.com/BessonBrass/videos/4511865358886917

Episode 6:
Derick Kane and Stephen Kane
https://www.facebook.com/BessonBrass/videos/2697574597127493

Episode 5:
Ian Porthouse and Dewi Griffths
https://www.facebook.com/BessonBrass/videos/755381705256477

Episode 4:
James Gourlay and Les Neish
https://www.facebook.com/BessonBrass/videos/2864126147164239

Episode 3:
Owen Farr and Ailsa Russell
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2c-SLs3ujY&fbclid=IwAR1xdfk1dO_Z9xTV8-jnJXP6GP6cyxMxw_Th-W8QTrLM61VdpMxWV0Hwvi8

Episode 2:
Tom Hutchinson, Sheona White and Mark Wilkinson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yWqt_Az90I&fbclid=IwAR1EdTIm14XeEGTF6l1Wph3Rw0seCwAyRiY0IP8K95Orq5L5HsJbcJf6e8k

Episode 1:
Philip Harper, Steven Mead, Roger Webster and Tom Hutchinson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0VYGFu6rpE&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR1VKnZzVAQ3mPmG7HWKVFim8yAQgcTJNvRvzI8heK1D8S29pVNeyv5A-5w

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Brabbins

Childs and Brabbins to showcase Mealor Concerto

November 3 • Paul Mealor's 'Euphonium Concerto' is to be performed this Friday in Swansea by David Childs under the baton of Martyn Brabbins with the National Orchestra of Wales.


Maurice Andre

Saunas and butter — what made Andre the giant so great...

November 3 • If you ever wondered what the secret of Maurice Andre's success was — then an article from 1987 revealed all about his morning practice regime...


Prof Childs

Childs enjoys latest Japanese trip

November 3 • Black Dyke Band's Director of Music has just returned from his latest musical trip to Japan.


AoBBA

Yorkshire offer for aspiring adjudicators

November 3 • The Yorkshire Regional Championships have teamed up with the Association of Brass Band Adjudicators for an experience day for aspiring judges.


Dobcross Silver Band - Remembrance Concert

Sunday 8 November • Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross. Oldham OL3 5AD


Regent Hall Concerts - Band of the RAF Regiment Brass Ensemble

Friday 20 November • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Bilton Silver Rugby Band - Bilton Silver President's Concert

Friday 27 November • St George's Church, St Johns Avenue, Rugby CV22 5HR


West Yorkshire Police Band - Mid Yorkshire Breast Cancer Support

Saturday 28 November • Cluntergate Centre, Horbury WF4 5DA


Newstead Brass - The Snowman - Live

Saturday 5 December • Forest Town Arena. Clipstone Road West, Forest Town. Mansfield NG19 0EE


Chinnor Silver

November 3 • Our COMMUNITY BAND are meeting again on Monday (9th) and we welcome players of all standards who enjoy a relaxed and friendly rehearsal.. Rehearsals are held in our bandroom at 11am and it is all FREE including the cake and coffee.


Bilton Silver Rugby Band

November 2 • Under the leadership of Musical Director, Jack Fisher, the band requires a percussionist. With an expanding schedule of events, including our sell-out themed concerts, the band is based in our own, purpose built, band hall in Bilton.


Bilton Silver Rugby Band

November 2 • Under the leadership of Musical Director, Jack Fisher, the band requires an Eb bass player. With an expanding schedule of events, including our sell-out themed concerts, the band is based in our own, purpose built, band hall in Bilton.


Ian Holmes

BA (hons), PGDip (RCM), ARCM, ALCM
Conductor, piano accompanist and educator


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd