Later today, Euphonium star Steven Mead will be made a Fellow of the Royal Northern College Of Music.

Distinguished award

The conferral of a Fellowship is a most distinguished award, made in
Steven's case for his service to the RNCM and for developing the euphonium department into one of the most prestigious in the world.

The award will be made at the annual awards ceremony at the RNCM. Steven told 4BR: "I am proud to receive this award, and am pleased my work at the RNCM has been recognised in this way.

I am proud to receive this award, and am pleased my work at the RNCM has been recognised in this waySteven Mead

Incredible students

"Since I began teaching at the RNCM about 18 years ago I have had some incredible students pass through the school, many of them now well known names in the brass world. They too have contributed to the success of my department and its continuing appeal to students worldwide. In recent years we have recruited euphonium players from many countries, including Japan, USA, Australia, China, Scandinavia, and all over Europe."

Looking for CD hat trick

Meanwhile, Steven has been delighted at the recent news that his CD 'Audacious' has also been conferred with the awards of Solo CD of the Year from both British Bandsman and Brass Band World magazines.

"I am naturally delighted about this," he told 4BR. "I'm hoping that with the 4BR Awards to be voted on in the next couple of weeks, Audacious may be a hat trick winner too."