REGARDED as one of the the classiest brass ensembles in Britain, Onyx Brass make a welcome return to Newton Abbot this month as part of the Newton Abbot and District Society of Arts 75th concert season.

The quintet, a rare breed of chamber ensembles whose musical and technical virtuosity is matched by the accessibility and vitality of their presentation, will be in concert at the town’s Courtenay Centre on March 18 at 7.30pm.

Soon to be celebrating its 30th birthday, Onyx Brass has changed audience perceptions of what brass ensemble music is.

BBC Music Magazine described the group as ‘easily the classiest brass ensemble in Britain’, and Gramophone hailed ‘some of the most thrilling chamber brass-playing of its kind’.

The richness and warmth of their sound is remarked upon by all who hear them.

The ‘Onyx and Ivory’ programme includes some of Onyx’s favourite arrangements of classical works, complemented by arrangements of lighter pieces.

To give a flavour of what’s to come, composers range from Tallis, Schumann and Shostakovich, through Imogen Holst to Gershwin.

The brass versions of the works bring out a special quality to the hand-picked programme.

During its first 28 years, Onyx has toured extensively: there are very few corners of the UK that remain unvisited!

The group has also performed regularly at festivals and concert halls in the USA, Europe, Nigeria, Bermuda and Borneo to unanimous critical acclaim,

As well as their commitment to Onyx Brass, the quintet members hold positions in UK orchestras and bands: London Symphony Orchestra, Royal Ballet Orchestra, London Chamber Orchestra and Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment to name just four.

Their varied experiences produce a group whose musical and technical virtuosity is matched by the accessibility and vitality of their presentation.

As audience numbers will be limited to allow social distancing, early booking is strongly advised.

All tickets must be booked in advance. Please book through the website: www.nadsa.co.uk. For any queries, contact 01626 368318.

The concert is supported by the Teignbridge District Council Councillors’ Community Fund and the Devon County Council Locality Budget Fund.