Behind every successful musical group is someone with a passion for bringing people together through music. For Shropshire Brass Ensemble, that person is Steve Pritchard-Jones. With a lifetime dedicated to music as a performer, educator, conductor and adjudicator, Steve has created an ensemble that has quickly earned a reputation for providing outstanding live brass music across Shropshire and beyond.
We caught up with Steve to learn more about the story behind the ensemble, his remarkable musical journey, and his ambitions for the future.
A Vision Born from Experience
The idea for Shropshire Brass Ensemble came from a simple request that Steve found himself hearing time and time again.
“I was often asked to provide a small group of musicians to perform at events across Shropshire and the surrounding areas,” he explains. “It seemed the perfect opportunity to bring together a group of talented and experienced brass players.”
The ensemble was originally formed just before the COVID pandemic, forcing plans to be put on hold for two years. Once restrictions were lifted, Steve advertised for musicians and the ensemble finally became a reality.
Today, the group most commonly performs as a brass quintet but can expand to around twelve musicians, allowing them to adapt to everything from intimate weddings to large civic occasions.
Why a Brass Ensemble?
Many people are familiar with the sound of a traditional brass band, but a brass quintet offers something very different.
“A brass quintet provides a compact, elegant chamber sound, whereas a brass band creates a much larger, richer and more powerful sound,” says Steve.
That versatility makes the ensemble ideal for weddings, civic ceremonies, corporate events, commemorations and concerts. It also presents a unique musical challenge.
“Every player has an individual part, so there’s nowhere to hide. Everyone has a vital role to play, and that’s exactly what makes it so rewarding.”
A Lifetime in Music
Steve’s musical career spans decades and has taken him from professional performance to education, conducting and adjudicating.
“Music has been at the heart of my life for as long as I can remember.”
After training in Liverpool, at Trinity College of Music and at Salford University, Steve spent the first ten years of his career performing professionally with Glenn Miller tribute bands and in theatres across the UK.
He then devoted more than 30 years to education as a music teacher, Head of Expressive Arts, headteacher, examiner and Arts Award adviser, while continuing to perform, conduct, arrange music and work with brass bands throughout the country.
His brass band credentials are equally impressive, having performed with bands including Jaguar Coventry Band, Sovereign Brass, Cheshire Constabulary Band, Besses o’ th’ Barn and the 5th Battalion King’s Shropshire Light Infantry Band.
Today he is Director of Music for the West Midlands Police Brass Band, continues to adjudicate throughout the UK and Europe, and regularly performs on both trumpet and cornet, as well as piano for weddings, civic occasions and corporate events.
His love of brass music began at the age of just eight when he joined Porthywaen Silver Band.
“I’ve always loved the unique sound of brass instruments. They can be incredibly powerful and exciting one moment, then gentle, reflective and deeply moving the next. I was also drawn to the incredible sense of friendship and community within the brass band movement.”
More Than Just Great Musicians
While musical ability is essential, Steve believes the ensemble’s success comes from much more than technical excellence.
“Reliability, versatility and a positive attitude are just as important. In a small ensemble everyone needs to be confident, well prepared and able to work closely together. A good sense of humour helps too!”
The rehearsal atmosphere reflects exactly that philosophy.
“We take the music seriously, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously. We work hard, enjoy the challenge and usually share plenty of laughter along the way.”
Moments That Stay Forever
Among the ensemble’s many performances, one memory stands above the rest.
During their recent visits to Normandy, the musicians performed Eventide in the sea at Gold Beach, where British forces landed on D-Day.
Steve recalls:
“Everyone on the beach stood up and you could have heard a pin drop. The atmosphere was unforgettable. Performing music in places with such enormous historical significance was both moving and humbling. It reminded us that live music can communicate emotions that words sometimes cannot.”
Another unforgettable moment came when the ensemble performed Millenburg Joys in Normandy, prompting a 90-year-old veteran to dance along. The heartwarming video has since been viewed more than 600,000 times, demonstrating the extraordinary power of live music to connect generations.
Music That Brings Communities Together
Supporting local communities remains central to everything the ensemble does.
“Music has always brought communities together,” Steve says. “We’re proud to support local organisations, charities and events whenever we can. It’s rewarding to know our music helps make special occasions even more memorable.”
Audience feedback makes every rehearsal worthwhile.
“When someone tells us they enjoyed the performance, it means a great deal. Musicians spend countless hours preparing, so knowing we’ve entertained, inspired or moved someone makes it all worthwhile.”
Looking to the Future
Steve’s ambitions for Shropshire Brass Ensemble continue to grow.
His aim is to further establish the ensemble as one of the region’s leading small brass groups while expanding performances across Shropshire and beyond through civic engagements, weddings, concerts, commemorative events and community celebrations.
This Christmas will see the ensemble take part in a very special Haydn Festival Christmas Concert, performing 18th-century carols alongside internationally renowned trumpeter Crispian Steele-Perkins and the 18th Century Concert Orchestra.
Looking further ahead, Steve hopes the ensemble will undertake more tours, collaborate with other musicians and perform at prestigious venues across the UK.
An Open Invitation
Whether you’re planning a wedding, civic event, corporate function or community celebration, Steve encourages people to get in touch.
“We can tailor both the size of the ensemble and the music to suit almost any occasion.”
He’s equally keen to hear from experienced brass players interested in joining larger performances or deputising with the group.
“If you’re a capable player who enjoys a challenge, works well as part of a team and loves making music, we’d be delighted to hear from you.”
Three Words That Say It All
When asked to sum up Shropshire Brass Ensemble in just three words, Steve doesn’t hesitate:
Professional. Versatile. Friendly.
And what does the ensemble mean to him personally?
“It represents friendship, teamwork and the joy of making music with talented people. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve created and excited about where the ensemble might go next.”
Judging by everything the ensemble has already achieved in just a few short years, its future looks every bit as bright as the music it performs.