Brass Band England's (BBE's) award-winning 'Elevate' programme will this year feature an exciting pairing of Regent Brass with artist and storyteller Phoenix Fry.

Elevate is designed to bring together pioneering bands and artists to create a nine-month collaborative partnership that enhances understanding and celebration of each other's work by linking to new audiences.

Artistic outlook

Regent Brass has gained a respected reputation for their wide ranging artistic outlook under MD Alan Duguid, and chose to work with Phoenix who's multidisciplinary creative practice works with video, books, drawing, painting and participatory art have also gained critical acclaim.

Phoenix commented: "I'm thrilled to be paired with Camden's boundary-pushing Regent Brass. Together we're going to investigate what happens if we turn ourselves into monsters, beasts and spirits.

Taking inspiration from European carnival traditions — as well as band members' dreams and imaginations — we're hoping to create some rather exciting public performances!"

Push boundaries

In response, Regent Brass MD Alan Duguid said: "As a band who are keen to push boundaries and broaden musical horizons, we would love to participate to build links beyond our previous collaborators and help to develop experience to get new ideas for future projects too.

We also want to change and broaden views of bands more widely."

Taking inspiration from European carnival traditions — as well as band members' dreams and imaginations — we're hoping to create some rather exciting public performances!Phoenix Fry

Find out more

To find out more about previous rounds of the Elevate programme please visit BBE's Case Study library at: https://www.bbe.org.uk/case-studies