ONYX BRASS


According to a recent review on BBC Radio 3, Onyx Brass is a ”wonderful, virtuosic brass quintet.” Established in 1993, and soon to be celebrating their 30th Birthday, they have changed audience perceptions of what the brass ensemble is. Equally at home commissioning new music to performing the classics, or directing workshops in primary schools to delivering masterclasses at The Juilliard School, Onyx Brass is truly the brass ensemble of its generation.


Latest News

  • Onyx to Perform at 2025 Aldeburgh Festival

    As part of the celebration and launch of our latest recording in 2025, we are pleased to announce that the group will be making its debut at the Aldeburgh Festival. Central to our visit to Snape Maltings on the 29th June, will be the performance…

  • New Recording for Chandos Records features another Collab with John Wilson

    At the end of last week, we spent the two days being looked after by the Royal College of Music for our third collaboration with conductor, John Wilson, and fourth with Chandos Records . Our new recording will have music for quintet to large brass…

  • The Role of a Trumpeter in the Royal Air Force

    Take a look at this fantastic short film about the life and roles a trumpeter in the Royal Air Force staring our very own Alan Thomas. Some great little nuggets of information about the similarities and differences between bugles and trumpets and the fanfares that…


“stunningly crisp brass-playing”

Kate Molleson, BBC Radio 3


Our Recordings


“exemplary playing and ensemble”

Gareth Malone, Inside Music, BBC Radio 3



Education Work

  • A Day Trip to Repton Schools

    November saw us having a day coaching and performing with the pupils of Repton College and Prep schools in Derbyshire. We spent the daytime working with two very fine brass groups taken from each school, playing such eclectic pieces as Handel’s Music for the Royal…

  • A Day at Repton School

    In November, the group resumes its educational activities with a visit to Repton School in Derbyshire for a day of work with the brass students in ensembles and solo settings. Then we all join together in the evening for a concert of music by the…

  • Onyx Brass Announces Three Day Chamber Music Course at Benslow Music

    News hot off the press, we are delighted to announce that the group will be giving a three day chamber music coaching course at Benslow Music this spring. Situated in rural Hertfordshire and covering the multi-faceted world of playing in a brass chamber group, there…