It was a busy weekend for 4BR photographer Ian Clowes recently as he followed the bands both in rehearsal and during their concerts at the Festival of Brass in Manchester.

Tricky

Ian explained: "The RNCM is a tricky place to 'shoot' with the normal challenging light and the need to cause as little disturbance as possible. However many of the bands rehearsed at the RNCM and this really opened up the possibilities to catch band, players and conductor in-action during the rehearsals."

Images

All the images from the weekend can be accessed at: http://www.pbase.com/troonly/0901_rncm_festival

Ian's next outings for 4BR include the Regionals at Blackpool, where the focus will be as much on what's going on behind the scenes as on stage4BR

Highlights

Highlights for Ian included the opportunity to photograph Bram Tovey as he rehearsed Fodens Band, the wild violinist from Canada and Paul Lovatt-Cooper doing his bit on a range of percussion with Black Dyke.

Weekend photo

Photo of the weekend was David Thornton doing a last minute warm-up before his Saturday recital, in the gloom of the back-stage.

Next outing

Ian's next outings for 4BR include the Regionals at Blackpool, where the focus will be as much on what's going on behind the scenes as on stage.

European

He will also be joining the 4BR team at the European Championships in Ostende, before settling down for the contesting season and a major brass band wedding in July!

If you see him out-and-about don't forget to smile!!