The Ni Ensemble was conceived of in London but found their “voice” after arriving at their current base in Luxembourg.  Each member has an unusual background, and their varied experiences colour the choice of music as well as the interpretation.  These unique qualities have brought them recognition wherever they perform and helped gain them First Prize in the 2006 International Brass Ensembles Competition at Passau as well as a special prize for Best Interpretation of an Original Work.  The ideal of playing original music written for brass, rather than transcriptions, is not new, although it is still not common.  What is new is the desire to find music in which the composer’s voice has been influenced by his or her own musical experience through growing up in a specific place or by traveling, and therefore bringing another sound and culture to life through the music.   They use the word “Ensemble” to mean they have a greater flexibility in programming, incorporating extra players, or breaking into smaller formations to perform pieces using various combinations from within the group, sometimes even solo works.


The Nis have brought their talents to a variety of venues throughout Europe and the United States.  Their performances at Lincoln Center in New York and at Tanglewood were highlights of their tour of the USA.  More recently, they performed and gave classes at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester and at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.  They have also appeared at the Halifax Young Artists Music Festival and the Jersey Arts Festival.  Upcoming plans include a May, 2010 tour to Italy with performances with John Wallace at the Alba International Festival and their first tour of Scotland in the coming autumn






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