Heron Brass

Formed in 2021, Heron Brass are a London-based brass quintet who first began playing together while all students at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

The group come from a range of musical and international backgrounds and enjoy performing an equally wide variety of brass ensemble music. While at Guildhall, they were invited to perform at the School’s flagship annual Chamber Festival, the “Chamber at Six” concert series, and at open days, representing the Wind, Brass, and Percussion department. Since then, they have given recitals around London, most recently at Regent Hall and St Giles-in-the-Fields where they premiered a work from former member Benjamin Newman. For the last two years, they have provided music for the Islington Remembrance Service, and for the last three they have joined St Peter’s Bethnal Green for their hugely enjoyable Carols on Columbia Road event. This memorable occasion has grown year on year, with thousands attending each week in the lead up to Christmas, mentions in the Guardian and Time Out, and coverage from BBC London, and has become a real highlight in the Heron Brass calendar. They have also helped with music and accompaniment for projects with St Paul’s Cathedral’s outreach programme.

In the summer of 2023, they took part in the live finals of the Philip Jones International Brass Ensemble competition, spending a week working with world-class brass musicians and chamber music specialists, alongside inspiring young brass quintets from around the world. Following this, they have a renewed desire to explore new or lesser-performed works for brass and choral arrangements, without forgetting some of the established classics of the repertoire!
o Tom Watts, Trumpet
o Lucas Houldcroft, Trumpet
o David Sztankov, Horn
o Ben Pritchard, Trombone
o Ramon Branch Biescas, Tuba