Outback Brass is a quintet that was formed in 2018 by Phill O’Neill, who, after having spent years living in regional Australia where he felt top-level musical performances were less common there than in coastal centres and major cities, had the desire to develop an ensemble with a primary focus on sharing and performing top level Australian music far and wide, including remote areas of Australia.
Over the past couple of years Outback Brass has collaborated with several Australian composers and members of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra to bring these new compositions to life.
Outback Brass were early-adopters of the digital concert space, using online video and social media to broaden the audience base for its concerts. The Quintet can also be found performing regularly in churches, stages and outdoor spaces around Sydney.
As part of the 2024 2MBS residency, the ensemble plans to record an album comprised entirely of original Australian chamber brass music featuring works by Adrian Hallam, Gareth Lewis, John Foster, Christopher Healey, Richard Percival, Richard Linton and Greg Van Der Struik. In addition to engaging with 2MBS listeners through live performances, the group is also planning a concert series touring New South Wales.
Upon Outback Brass being announced as 2024 2MBS Classical Artist in Residence, Phill commented that “we look forward to working with 2MBS to promote Australian music, composers and performers, to build a strong love of classical chamber music in all areas of Australia. On behalf of the team Raph Harvey (trumpet), Adrian Hallam (horn), Gareth Lewis (trombone) and Scott Frankcombe (tuba) we look forward to an exciting year.”