Let’s Debate cross-genre collaborations with Sandy Smith

Conductor, arranger and player, Sandy Smith, has taken a lead role in adventurous music collaborations - here, he debates the benefits of throwing caution to the wind by collaborating with other genres to find new audiences.

Over the years as a player, conductor, arranger and occasional composer, the idea of collaborating with artists from other genres has always fascinated me as a way of bringing the sound of a brass band to a new audience.
The range of entertainment and the myriad ways in which it is delivered to the public has changed out of all recognition in the last 20 years. Brass bands have to fight harder than ever for some attention from the general public and
I have been lucky enough to be part of some intriguing collaborations with interesting artists, which have opened up new avenues for the brass bands taking part in them…

Read this article in full, featured in October 2017’s BBW, by subscribing to BBW Digital. Alternatively, subscribe to the printed magazine delivered by post: £40 (UK); £68 (Europe); £81 (Rest of the World)

Phot: Tredegar Band's cross-genre collaboration with Rambert ballet company at Sadler's Wells