In April 2012 we travelled to the US to give master classes, ensemble workshops and concerts in Ohio, Chicago, New York and New Jersey. We started with a residency at the Highland School in Medina, Ohio. We coached four different year groups of trombone players from 8 to 18 year olds! It was incredibly impressive for one school to have 30 trombonists among it's students. Jay Friedman had very kindly arranged a recital for us at the Chicago College of Performing Arts. During our concert the CSO trombone section teamed up with us for a rendition of Bruckner Inveni David and Van Heusen's Here's That Rainy Day. It was an unforgettable experience and we are very grateful to Jay for all his help and also to his colleagues for being so welcoming and supportive. It was great to meet all these brass legends!

The following day we flew to New York where Joe Alessi had arranged for us to take the Low Brass class at the Juilliard School Of Music. Thanks to all the students who took part. What a talented group of trombone players!

On our final day we gave a clinic to the brass students of Rutgers State University in New Brunswick. We heard a variety of ensembles from trombone and trumpet quartets to brass quintet and a brass quartet. They were a very responsive bunch and we all had great fun. John Rojak had arranged this for us and was also our expert chauffeur for the day!

We spend a lot of time planning, collecting and arranging repertoire for the group. We have often found that a theme running throughout the programme is very popular with our audiences. For this trip to the US we performed our new programme 'El Nuevo Mundo'. This programme features music from the Spanish peninsula and the Americas, celebrating the discovery, history and diversity of these colourful cultures.

We are extremely grateful to Ed Marquette, Dorothy Gates, Joseph Alessi, Linda Berna, Jay Friedman, John Rojak and Conn-Selmer for all their help in making this tour possible.