Dani Howard’s Concerto for Brass: ​‘SIGNAL’ premiered on 2 August 2026 at Royal Albert Hall with BBC Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Paavo Järvi for the BBC Proms. This 17-minute concerto was commissioned by the BBC Proms, BBC Symphony Orchestra, and Royal Scottish National Orchestra. 

The work features the entire brass section as the soloist, with notable solos for the principal Horn, Trumpet and Trombone. The brass section is sat in their usual position within the orchestra.

Dani Howard explains that ​“when I began writing Concerto for Brass: SIGNAL, I found myself reflecting on the origins of brass instruments and the role they have played throughout history. Long before they became fixtures of the modern orchestra, brass instruments were used as a means of communication. They announced arrivals, marked ceremonies, warned of danger and carried messages across great distances. The idea of the brass instrument as a signal — a messenger — became the foundation of this concerto.

I wanted to celebrate the entire brass section. While each instrument has its own distinct personality and character, together they form a powerful collective voice. There are a number of moments that feature the principals as soloists on their instruments, and throughout the piece we hear a combination of solos, duos, trios, and the section as a whole.

At its core, SIGNAL is a celebration of the brass section’s unique role within musical history. Whether ceremonial, martial, communal or deeply personal, the sound of brass has always carried meaning. This concerto pays tribute to that history while exploring the extraordinary range of expression that the brass section can bring to the modern orchestra.”