The climax of the afternoon was undoubtedly A Sporting Chance” by Bob Chilcott. Here, Onyx Brass combined with the Wyke Regis Junior School choir…The 10 year olds were full of confidence and verve, articulating every word, singing and moving in unison and enjoying every moment — as did the packed audience.
Dorset Echo, November 2004
The performance was excellent in all respects. I feel honoured to have had musicians of such high calibre perform in our school hall! There was a perfect balance of listening and learning for the children and the whole presentation was delivered in such a lively, funny and child-friendly way. The children obviously thoroughly enjoyed it and to hold the attention of that many, some of whom were only 5 and 6, for nearly an hour on a Friday afternoon is no mean feat! I know that our existing brass players will have been inspired and I feel confident that many others will have been encouraged to take up a brass instrument. It is so important in these days of tests and league tables to expose children to a wider range of learning experiences and you certainly did that for us. It was also a real treat for the staff who were in there-we don’t usually have such exciting visitors! Please do let us know if there are any other opportunities we could take up, or of any concerts you are doing in Oxford-I’m sure my brass players would be interested.
Penny Dwyer, Music Co-ordinator. Windmill School, Oxford
The masterclass day with Onyx Brass was absolutely fantastic – some of the best ensemble teaching I have ever received. It was great to play alongside the group in concert, and to participate in a professional style rehearsal gave me a great insight in to the working of a top flight brass quintet. I certainly learnt a lot from the day and would relish the opportunity of doing something similar again.
Huw, member National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain.
The Onyx Brass gave a wonderful master class for us at the Juilliard School last week. They played beautifully and had some great suggestions for the groups in our brass chamber music seminar. We’re looking forward to a return visit.
Raymond Mase, American Brass Quintet, Chair of Brass at The Juilliard School.
You have hit the jack-pot with these artists. Our audience just loved them. Almost a week later people are calling me about how much they enjoyed the concert. There were a number if things beyond their impeccable presentation and performance. The group really warmed up the audience at the Pre-concert. At the concert, the patter between numbers was both informative and humorous. Their personalities drew the audience in immediately. Several people remarked about the program which for which we worked together to have a very sophisticated mostly non-transcribed works. It certainly helped to have the composer of some of the works actually present and playing in the concert. Although we cannot guarantee them the thrill of the Miss USA contestants again, we would like to have them back in several years. They were phenomenal.
Holly Thomas, Candlelight
