Edinburgh International Festival 2026
Brass Fanfare: A Tribute To John Wallace
13 August 2026 | 5pm | Usher Hall
Join brass players from across Scotland in tribute to inspirational trumpeter, composer and educator John Wallace.
Brass players from three of Scotland’s top orchestras join forces with The Wallace Collection ensemble, as well as young players from RCS Junior Conservatoire and StAMP, in tribute to late Scottish trumpeter John Wallace.
Dedicating his life to music education, Wallace was principal of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland for 12 years. He advocated for free instrumental tuition across Scotland, while continuing to perform in The Wallace Collection, which he founded in 1986.
The concert includes two movements from his Symphony for Brass Band. In this large-scale work – fifty years in the making – Wallace pays tribute to the landscape and history of his native Fife and some of the memorable characters he encountered there.
Also on the programme is Elgar Howarth’s brilliant 1977 arrangement for brass and percussion of Modest Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition. Mussorgsky based each movement on an artwork by his friend Viktor Hartmann, vividly depicting both real and fairytale subjects from a bustling French market to the imposing Great Gate of Kyiv.
More of John’s legacy
A Rare Treasure
A rare treasure to share with you – Episode 9, of Brass Matters – released on 12th March 2026, following the passing of our dear friend and colleague, John Wallace.
In this inspirational conversation, recorded in July 2025, John Wallace is joined by Tony George to discuss the prolific Derek Bourgeois, their recording of his Concerto for Brass Quintet and Brass Band and why his fantastic music is not better known. Listen along to the recording with John and Tony while you follow the score.
Also not to be missed are their memories of The Wallace Collection’s adventures in Ukraine and the night train to Kiev!
The Bourgeois Concerto for Quintet and Brass Band features on the As above, So Below album available through The Wallace Collection online shop.
Full series available on YouTube. Podcast also available on Spotify, Apple podcasts and other popular streaming services.
A ‘Triple Whammy’ Release As Life Begins At 40
Three significant albums are released under The Wallace Collection label for digital download and streaming
The Wallace Collection is marking its approaching 40th Anniversary in 2026 through this triple release of recordings demonstrating its ongoing commitment to reach beyond traditional brass ensemble repertoire to break new ground.
These are the first issues of The Wallace Collection’s in-house label which will not be issued in physical form, but will, instead, be readily available on all easily-accessible streaming platforms and as digital downloads purchasable from The Wallace Collection Online Shop. Scores of some of the music will also be easy to access, free of charge, so they can be followed by those who want to see the dots.
The Wallace Collection
With a mission to promote the diverse world of brass music, The Wallace Collection aims to inspire, entertain, develop, educate and innovate. Equally at home with world premieres as well as exploring and researching the forgotten heritage of 19th century brass music, we are passionate about working with young people and in the brass band community.
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