IT’S a welcome return this month to Skipton Town Hall for rising-star trumpeter Aaron Akugbo, who last performed alongside Matilda Lloyd and the Solus Trumpet Ensemble almost two years ago.

He will be back in Skipton with the Connaught Brass ensemble, which will perform the last concert in Skipton Music's current season, and has already graced prestigious stages, including the Lucerne Festival and London's Wigmore Hall. Their unique ability to manipulate and unify sound secured them first prize in the inaugural Philip Jones International Brass Ensemble Competition in 2019 and the Royal Over-Seas League Mixed Ensemble Competition in 2022.

A Skipton Music spokesperson said: “ The ‘Connaughts’ are quickly making a name for themselves as a fresh and vibrant talent in the chamber music world and we are excited to welcome them to Skipton Music’s season finale. Their 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.”

The programme will include: Clara Schumann Romance, Steven Verhelst Suite from Pulcinella 2.0, Michael Tilson Thomas Street Song and Kurt Weill Suite from The Threepenny Opera.

The ensemble's 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.

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.

The performance, made possible with the support of Skipton Rotary, takes place on Tuesday, March 19 at Skipton Town Hall. Tickets are available online at https://skiptontownhall.co.uk; in person or by phone from Skipton Town Hall Box Office: Skipton information and Visitor Centre, Skipton Town Hall, telephone 01756 792809. Subject to availability tickets can also be bought on the door (payment by cash, cheque or card).

Skipton Music was founded in 1947, and is a not-for-profit charity run by a team of local volunteers. Each year it organises six world-class chamber music concerts on Tuesday evenings between September and March at Skipton Town Hall.

For a full list of the music to be performed by Connaught Brass and more information, visit https://www.skiptonmusic.org.uk/