Dedicated to exploring and celebrating existing repertoire, as well as commissioning work by new and established composers.
Positively approaching music with our own unique instrumentation.
Rosamund Brass are developing/exploring the repertoire available to brass quartets, and sharing their passion for that brass chamber music as far and wide as possible.
Our History
Rosamund Brass was formed in September 2020 by friends who were all studying at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. The members have all known each other for a considerably longer time time however, as some of previously been members of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, as well as other competing youth bands.
In March 2021, Rosamund Brass made their debut in the RNCM Play festival, where the quartet performed a piece that was recorded remotely and edited together, allowing them to perform to the public despite the edicts of Covid-19. Since then, the quartet have performed multiple in concerts and events across the UK such as the RNCM Festival of Brass, Saint-Martin-in-the-Fields, the ITV Christmas carol service and most notably, the
2025 Lucerne Festival.
Our Achievements
In May 2022, the quartet competed in the RNCM’s annual Philip Jones Brass prize, and despite being one of the youngest groups in the competition went on to win it. The ensemble went on to compete at the Chris Rowland Ensemble of the Year Prize where they won the audience vote prize. The quartet then uniquely repeated both of these accomplishments in 2023. The group have also engaged with developing the repertoire available for brass quartet, having commissioned over eleven new works from a variety of composers, most notably Adam Gorb and David Horne.
Our Involvements
Individually, members have been involved with professional ensembles such as the Grimethorpe Colliery Band, Carlton Main and Frickley Colliery band, Halle Orchestra and Bergen Philharmonic. With these ensembles, our members have performed all over Europe in some of the world’s finest venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, Bridgewater Hall, KKL Lucerne and Grieg Hall.
Rosamund's Aims
As an ensemble, Rosamund Brass hopes to develop further and explore repertoire available to brass quartets. They want to share their passion for brass chamber music to as many people as possible.
Rosamund's Vision
Rosamund Brass hopes in the future to have commissions from successful composers, also having the opportunity to premier them in established venues and festivals. They also hope to have repertoire recorded onto an album in the future, to present to concert promoters and music festivals.
Rosamund Players
Seb Williman
Seb is currently in his a freelance trumpeter based in Manchester, and regularly works with some of the countries top Orchestras such as the Hallé and Opera North. Seb’s playing career started in brass bands and has played for the likes of Grimethorpe Colliery, The Fairey Band and was principal cornet for the Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band. Seb studied at the Royal Northern College of Music under the tuition of Roger Webster, Murray Greig and many other established tutors.
Adam Hofland-Ward
Adam is a secondary school music teacher based in Wakefield. Adam started his career in brass banding at the age of 8 and since has occupied principle seats at various bands, such as soprano cornet for the Grimethorpe Colliery Band and the Rothwell Temperance Band, and is currently the Flugelhorn for the Hepworth Band. Adam has always enjoyed performing, and from a young age has performed at many major concert halls such as the Royal Albert Hall, Symphony Hall and the KKL. One of his career highlights however was at Stravinsky Hall in Switzerland where he performed 'Flowerdale' in the Youth European Championships
Georgia Woodhead
Georgia is from Rochdale and is currently a secondary school music teacher in Bolton. She is currently solo horn for the Hepworth Band where she has contributed to many contest successes, most notably winning ‘best-instrumentalist’ at the Yorkshire Regional Brass Band Championships. Georgia has been enjoying her time with Rosamund Brass since her first year at the RNCM, where she has had opportunities to play in many concerts and competitions.
Alex Barron
Alex is a music teacher based in Sheffield, and studied at the Royal Northern College of Music. Alex has been playing in top level brass bands for over 7 years, having been principal euphonium of the National Youth Brass Band, a member of Grimethorpe Colliery Band and currently a member of the Hammonds Brass Band. As a teacher, Alex works with several music services in the North, and is a tutor with the Lancashire Youth Brass Band. Alex also enjoys performing outside of brass bands, having worked with artists such as The Halle Orchestra and Gary Clarke Theatre Company.