The Wilmington Virtuosi Brass is a British-style brass band founded by cornetist Richard Hillson in 2023 two years after moving from England, where his family was long involved in competition level brass bands. After joining the Wilmington Symphony and the Symphonic Winds he was impressed by the level of talent in the community and decided Wilmington was ready to have its own competition level band. An open rehearsal held for that purpose drew an overwhelming response from local musicians, and the Wilmington Virtuosi Brass was soon launched. Its roster consists of retired military bandsmen, local music teachers and professors, freelance professionals, and dedicated amateurs. It enjoys a strong relationship with the UNCW Department of Music where it rehearses under the direction of Dr. Dominic Talanca, Steve Skillman, and Tony Granados, one of the nation’s top directors with many awards to his name. Despite being the only new band at the annual North American competitions held in Ft. Wayne last April, the WVB placed well in its division and plans to return in 2026. The WVB is a 501(c)(3) organization relying on donations from members and the local community.
The band will honor America’s Armed Forces and allies at the Veterans Day USO concert with “Fanfare for the Common Man” by Aaron Copland, patriotic music by John Philip Sousa, John Williams, and other music composed for brass bands.
