Besson artist Steven Mead returns to Japan this week for the second time in just four months, to perform in concert with the renowned Ars Nova Wind Orchestra in Kawasaki city near Tokyo.

He will be also giving masterclasses in Tokyo and Osaka, as well as being interviewed by the popular 'Pipers' magazine, and recording a promotional video for Buffet Crampon Japan.

Busy

This is just the beginning of a very busy couple of months for the euph star, who on his return will head to Feldkirch in Austria and then onto Amsterdam for a masterclass at the Conservatory and a recital with Rodin Rosendahl and Perry Hoogendijk.

Then it's off to Brescia in Italy, where he will give a two-day masterclass and concert with a wind orchestra, a trip to Milan to perform and teach at its prestigious Conservatory, before making a guest appearance at the Augsburg University in Germany.

There will be just enough time for a break at home before it's a long haul flight to Australia for a two-week tour, which includes undertaking the chief adjudicator duties at the Australian Championships in Brisbane, as well as concerts in Perth, Sydney and Melbourne.

There is also a growing interest in the euphonium in the major music conservatoires and universities of Europe, who are seeing it as such an important solo instrumentSteven Mead

Passport ready

"The passport is ready and waiting to worked hard again,"he joked when speaking to 4BR. "I love Japan and the hunger for brass bands and brass tuition is insatiable.

There is also a growing interest in the euphonium in the major music conservatoires and universities of Europe, who are seeing it as such an important solo instrument."

He added: "I'm also looking forward to Australia and the warm welcome I always get there. The championships are a great event and I'm honoured to be invited to be the chief adjudicator."