Griffon Brass Band ^{Summer 2025}

The story of Griffon began when Mike Wilson, Trevor Dix, Dave Martin and Scott Cheyne spent an evening playing tuba quartets. It was at this point that they came up with the idea for an unusual project: an English-style brass ensemble in the heart of French Canada. Trevor and Mike were no strangers to the demands of such an ensemble, having grown up in the musical tradition of the Salvation Army. Over the years, the ensemble has grown in stature and experience, and is now one of the finest ensembles of its kind in Eastern Canada.

Since 2018, the Griffon Brass Orchestra has performed under the direction of Vincent Brossard, who had served as the ensemble’s Principal Euphonium since its founding.

Since its creation, Griffon has presented several concerts annually, featuring a range of guest artists including Jorgen van Rijen, Dennis Miller, Jeff Nelson, Larry Larson, Paul Merkelo and Stéphane Beaulac. The ensemble also commissions new works for brass ensemble, some of which can be heard on their recording of music from all periods of the brass tradition.

Montreal-born Vincent Brossard began cello studies at age 7 before taking up the euphonium at 10 and later playing as a member of the Harmonie Richelieu in Maniwaki. After completing his high school studies, in which he excelled, and winning the Festival des Harmonies du Québec’s solo competition several times, in 1997 he entered the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal and studied with Alain Cazes, earning an advanced (2nd cycle) diploma while his interest in conducting grew. Then, along with studies in computer engineering, philosophy and law, Vincent also completed a bachelor’s degree in performance at McGill University in 2011, under the guidance of Trevor Dix and David Martin.

In 2007, Vincent Brossard made the acquaintance of British euphonium virtuoso Steven Mead, with whom he engaged in intensive training sessions. In 2010, his private independent study with Mead led to the opportunity for him to be part of group classes with high-calibre ensembles at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, England.

Vincent Brossard was Principal Euphonium with the Grande Fanfare Classique from 1997 to 2001, and with the McGill Wind Symphony from 2003 to 2010. He is Principal Euphonium of the Griffon Brass Band since its inception, an ensemble he regularly solos with. In 2007, he contributed to the recording of an album in tribute to Joseph Zuskin by the brass ensemble Chœur de Métal. Since 2013, Vincent has played regularly with the Hannaford Street Silver Band in Toronto, both as a soloist and ensemble musician.

In 2017, David Martin handed Vincent the reins of the Griffon Brass Band and he now serves as its musical and artistic director. His projects include premieres of two major works for euphonium in the next few years, as well as producing original arrangements for brass bands.