Euphonium and percussion duo in concert debut

Two members of the cooperation band have combined their playing skills into a new duo called Percussi Aeris.

Euphonium star Chris Flynn and talented percussionist Paula O'Malley will make their concert debut on Thursday evening at St Mirin’s Cathedral, Incle Street, Paisley PA1 1HR.

Percussi Aeris will offer an exciting blend of brass and percussion to audiences, exploring different musical genres – from classical and jazz to funk and electronic – with the aim of opening up new avenues of repertoire from existing and new composers.

Chris said: “We've wanted to try and bring brass and percussion together in this way for some time. We’ll be exploring fresh ideas and putting a new twist on things.

“Paula is an amazing player so we can showcase individual solo voices as well as different combinations of sounds and textures. Our friendship and converging musical interests have led to this exciting project.”

Paula commented: “I have wanted to make this type of musical exploration for some time and so we can't wait to showcase several new commissions and arrangements for euphonium and percussion, as well as organ and piano on our first mini-tour weekend.”

The debut concert at St Mirin's Cathedral starts at 7pm in aid of Alzheimer's Research UK and the Cathedral Parish and which will feature works from Rossini and Schubert to Andy Scott and Matthew Eden.

A lunchtime recital will take place on Friday at St Mary's Music School in Edinburgh, starting at 1pm. On Saturday they will be making an appearance at the Scottish International Tuba Festival (SITF) on Saturday at Canongate Kirk, Edinburgh.

Chris added: “This is such an exciting time for us both as performers. Our decade-long friendship has now been brought together to what we believe will fill a distinctive gap in the UK music scene.”