Warwick Brass Society performance piece aired on BBC Radio 2

A piece called “Radio Roulette” by Warwick Brass Society was played on Simon Mayo’s Drivetime programme on BBC Radio 2 on Tuesday 21 February.

This was following the society’s performance in the 2017 UniBrass competition. At the competition, the Warwick Brass Society played the piece, which featured the theme songs of various radio shows, including that of Simon Mayo’s Drivetime.

The university’s Brass Society took home the title of “Most Entertaining Band”, in addition to ranking 5th place overall in their section, out of 19 bands.  

Warwick’s band was only surpassed by the previous winners, Manchester and Huddersfield, as well as two conservatoires: Birmingham and the Royal Northern College of Music.

The show’s producers got in touch with the band, and the society was invited to have their “brassed-up” version of the theme song played on air. Cameron Barker, the band’s principle trombonist, was also interviewed by Mayo.

When asked about how the band members manage their time between studying and rehearsals, Cameron answered: “It’s tricky … you have to spend a lot of time practicing, with a lot of extra evening and weekend rehearsals.”

Commenting on his experience in the UniBrass competition, he stated: “ it was good fun; lots of opportunities to meet new people and have a go at something a bit different!”

UniBrass is the only intervarsity contest for brass bands in the world. Last year, it was hosted by Warwick University in the Arts Centre, and the 2017 competition was held at the University of York, in the Harrogate International Centre.

UniBrass has been going on for past 6 years, with about 700 students involved this year.

Simon Mayo, the BBC Radio 2 host, is a graduate and honorary graduate of the University of Warwick, finishing his undergraduate degree in History and Politics in 1980.