About Us
A “thrilling young ensemble at the start of what is sure to be a major international career” (Great Birmingham Brass Fest),
Connaught Brass are quickly making a name for themselves as a fresh talent in the chamber music world. Having already made their debut at the Lucerne Festival and London’s Wigmore Hall, the ensemble’s ability to manipulate and unify sound earned them 1st Prize in the Inaugural Philip Jones International Brass Ensemble Competition (2019) and the Royal Overseas League Mixed Ensemble Competition (2022). Vibrant, spirited and bold, Connaught Brass place emphasis on their friendship with one another to showcase their individual musical personalities within a unique collective sound.
Prior to their Philip Jones Competition win, the group won the Worshipful Company of Musicians Brass Ensemble Prize in 2018, and travelled to France shortly after to participate in the music festival Ferrandou Musique. They returned to the same festival in 2019 and 2021. More recently, the quintet have become Artists of the Tillett Trust, City Music Foundation and Kirckman Concert Society, and attended the prestigious Britten Pears Chamber Music Residency 2022.
Recent seasons have seen the Connaughts perform widely across the UK and Europe, including tours of Switzerland in both 2021 and 2022, recitals at Societá Filarmonica Trento, St Martin-in-the-Fields, St George’s Bristol, The Great Birmingham Brass Fest, where they performed a new commission alongside Onyx Brass, St James’ Piccadilly, Hidden Doors Arts Festival Edinburgh and Lake District Summer Music Festival, as well as performing live on BBC Radio 3’s In Tune programme. The 22/23 season will see the group make their Netherlands debut, including a live radio broadcast from the Concertgebouw’s Spiegelzaal, an extensive performance schedule in their hometown of London at Wigmore Hall, King’s Place and St John Smith’s Square, as well as performances covering the rest of the UK.
Their ever-growing repertoire spans 500 years, from renaissance to contemporary works, across a large range of genres. The ensemble also take great pride in undertaking and building their education work, including that supported by the Cavatina Trust and the Musicians Company.
Having been principal players and members of the European Union Youth Orchestra, Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester and National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, members are now regularly appearing on the professional circuit. This includes freelancing with the London Symphony, Philharmonia, BBC Symphony, BBC Philharmonic, Royal Philharmonic, London Sinfonietta, English National Opera, Opera North, Welsh National Opera and Ulster Orchestras, as well as recording with and supporting artists such as Bruno Mars, The Jonas Brothers, Stormzy, Lil’ Nas X, Jamie Cullum, Rag‘n’Bone Man, Dave, Giggs and Gregory Porter.
Connaught Brass’ ambition is to explore and share the broadest range of musical repertoire with as wide an audience as possible, bringing brass chamber music to the forefront of today’s musical world.
@ Olivia Da Costa
Born in 1998 and of Nigerian-Scottish descent, Aaron Akugbo hails from Edinburgh and is poised as a future leading exponent of his instrument. He brings a wide-ranging musical taste to his artistry and despite being classically trained, cites Louis Armstrong as his biggest musical inspiration. He is a charismatic performer with an abundance of natural humour which translates into an effortless engagement with people and audiences.
A graduate of the Royal Academy of Music and an ex-principal of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, Aaron can often be seen freelancing in the principal chairs of some of the most prestigious orchestras in the UK including the Philharmonia, BBC Philharmonic, BBC Symphony and Royal Philharmonic Orchestras.
In 2020, as part of the Southbank Centre’s ‘Behind Closed Doors’ concerts series, Aaron made his London debut at the Royal Festival Hall playing the Haydn Trumpet Concerto with Chineke!, Europe’s first Black and Minority Ethnic orchestra. His performance received glowing reviews, with the Arts Desk describing him as “a refined soloist… His sound was sweet, often lyrical… with perfect clarity and intonation”. Within the orchestra, Aaron has played in the UK’s top concert halls including Chineke’s BBC Proms debut. Aaron made his Wigmore debut playing Saint-Saëns Septet Op. 65 for trumpet, piano and strings with members of Chineke! as well as participating in the orchestra’s tour of Europe playing in halls such as the Royal Concertgebouw Amsterdam and Kölner Philharmonie.
In early 2019, Aaron was a finalist in the “Girolamo Fantini” International Trumpet Competition whilst also being awarded the special prize for best performance of “Vulcano Club” by Piergiorgio Ratti. Aaron was subsequently invited by competition panellist and trumpet soloist, Tine Thing Helseth, to the Risør Kammermusikfest in Norway where he received masterclasses from Tine herself whilst also performing as a soloist.
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Harry, originally from Eastbourne, East Sussex, earned first-class honours from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 2020. Currently pursuing a master's degree at the Royal Academy of Music on scholarship, he has built a flourishing career as a freelance musician. His musical journey spans across the UK, Europe, and the US, where he has collaborated with a diverse range of internationally acclaimed artists, including Stormzy, Jonas Brothers, Bruno Mars, Dave, and Jamie Cullum, among many others. Alongside his commercial career, classically, Harry has performed at the BBC Proms, and Classic FM Spectacular, and played for several TV and radio broadcasts, alongside a number of international tours performing at some of Europe’s most coveted concert venues. In addition to live performances, he has contributed to many studio and film sessions at renowned studios, including Abbey Road, Sarm West, Air, Angel, Rockfield, and Electric Lady Studios.
Most recently, Harry has been featured on the screen and soundtrack of the Apple TV hit Masters of the Air, produced by Steven Speilberg, Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman, as a member of the Century Bombers Band featured in several episodes across the series.
In addition to his musical pursuits, Harry served as the Student Union President at Guildhall for two consecutive years (2020-2022), earning widespread acclaim for his remarkable achievements during his tenure. He led the charge in revamping the union's social media presence, orchestrated over 100 inclusive events, and championed initiatives to promote diversity awareness and training among students and staff. Furthermore, he worked closely with the safeguarding officer to create a new protocol, enhancing the welfare and safety of the Guildhall community. Amidst the challenges of transitioning from hybrid to in-person learning during the pandemic, Harry ensured a smooth experience for his peers. During his time at the SU, he also acquired certifications in Health & Safety, Mental Health First Aid, and obtained his security license (SIA) . Harry's leadership left an enduring legacy, fostering a more vibrant and inclusive community at Guildhall.
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Robyn Blair is a french horn player from Edinburgh, Scotland. She is a freelance solo, chamber, orchestral, and session player within classical, contemporary, commercial and jazz circles in the UK and internationally. Notable freelancing includes working within the London Chamber Orchestra and as a London Sinfonietta representative.
From July-September 2022 she was a guest Artist-in-residence in Munich, improvising every day and performing a multidisciplinary solo horn work which was especially written for her by the renowned trombonist John Kenny.
She is an ongoing Benedetti Foundation Ambassador, was previously a guest coach and workshop leader for National Youth French Horn Ensemble GB, and occasionally works with the Blues and Roots Ensemble. Alongside the horn she enjoys regularly climbing up walls without ropes, practicing yoga, and experimenting with unusual culinary fusions.
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Chris graduated from the Royal Academy of Music in 2022, studying trombone with Matt Gee, Peter Moore and Ian Bousfield and euphonium/bass trumpet with James Maynard.
Chris enjoys a varied performing and teaching career. He can often be seen freelancing across the UK, most recently with the orchestras of Opera North and the Welsh National Opera. Having previously played as principal trombone with the European Union Youth Orchestra, he has toured across Europe and Oman between 2019 and 2021, performing works including Bruckner’s 4th, Shostakovich’s 10th and Sibelius’s 2nd Symphonies. Other orchestral experience includes playing under the likes of Edward Gardner, John Wilson, Vasily Petrenko, and Sir Mark Elder. This includes playing in five televised BBC Proms and multiple live radio broadcasts. He also recorded Holst’s The Planets and Strauss’ Also Sprach Zarathustra under Edward Gardner for Chandos.
As well as being a versatile performer, Chris enjoys teaching across London and undertaking outreach work supported by the Worshipful Company of Musicians.
When he is not playing, Chris enjoys travelling, photography and drinking coffee with friends.
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Aled, originally from Pembrokeshire, is a tuba player and a member of Connaught Brass. He recently graduated with MA (Dist) and a DipRAM from the Royal Academy of Music and was an associate of the London Philharmonic Orchestra’s Foyle Future First Scheme. Aled is an awardee of the Cherubim Music Trust, using their ‘Charles Steer’ B&S F Tuba.
Aled started playing the tenor horn at the age of 7 and quickly joined the Goodwick Brass youth band. Aled progressed through the ranks and joined the senior band in 2009, winning the 1st section national title in 2015. Aled has also been a part of the Welsh national ensembles, joining the National Youth Brass Band of Wales in 2014 and the orchestra in 2018. Aled was also a member of the National Orchestra of Great Britain in 2016, as the orchestra's principal tuba, playing in venues such as the Royal Albert Hall and Symphony Hall, Birmingham.
During his time at the Academy, Aled studied with Patrick Harrild, Lee Tsarmaklis and Rex Martin and was also a member of the Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Brass and Manson Ensemble.
Aled is now starting to work as a freelance musician, having performed with the Orchestra of Opera North, BBC Philharmonic, London Philharmonic Orchestra and is now on trial for Principal Tuba for Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.
Away from the tuba, Aled can be found working as assistant manager at The George IV, Chiswick and also enjoys supporting the Llanelli Scarlets, watching football and drinking coffee.
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Our Partnerships
City Music Foundation Artists
Connaught Brass are delighted to be supported by the City Music Foundation.
CMF’s mission is ‘turning talent into success’. We select exceptional professional musicians at the start of their careers when managing ‘the business of music’ can be a challenge, and support them with a comprehensive career development programme. Agency and management are fundamental to CMF’s role, but only a part of what we do. We also arrange mentoring, run workshops, make CDs, videos and websites, commission new music, secure airtime on BBC Radio 3 and promotion though online, print and social media, and put on our own recitals and concerts.
Kirckman Concert Society Artists
Connaught Brass are honoured to be Kirckman Society Artists.
The Kirckman Concert Society was founded by Geraint Jones and Calton Younger in 1963 to promote young artists of exceptional talent, and has been funded since its inception by the Chase Charity (now part of the LankellyChase Foundation).
Tillett Trust Artists
Connaught Brass are delighted to be supported by the Tillett Trust.
For more than 30 years, the Tillett Trust has been financially supporting young classical musicians when they need it most at the very start of their professional solo careers.
Cavatina Chamber Music Trust Artists
Connaught Brass are delighted to be part of the amazing, Cavatina Chamber Music Trust.
Founded in 1998 with the aim of developing the next generation of chamber music lovers and players, the charity CAVATINA Chamber Music Trust exists to bring chamber music to young people, and young people to chamber music.
Ferrandou Foundation Artists
Connaught Brass are proud to be long-standing artists at the Ferrandou Musique Festival in France. The group made their first trip over to Ferrandou in the early summer of 2018 and have since been regular visitors performing in a host of local venues, churches and halls to packed crowds.
If you like to find out more about Ferrandou Musique, you can check out their website here.