Lycett invites bugler to create Birmingham anthem

A ceremonial bugler said when he received a call from comedian Joe Lycett to create a Birmingham anthem he thought it was a "wind-up".

Antonio Socci, a trumpeter from Perry Bar, Birmingham, was asked by the Brummie comedian to create a "fanfare tune" for Lycett's TV show, the United States of Birmingham.

The new series follows him travelling across the US and other countries to bring 18 different Birminghams together in a signed friendship agreement with the West Midlands city.

Mr Socci, 43, said he did not realise the song he created for the show would end up as something similar to a "national anthem".

He said the programme makers requested "a little fanfare", but that "it kind of grew and grew, and then all of a sudden it is now the United States of Birmingham national anthem," he said.

The tune, which will feature on the fourth episode of the Sky series, was played for the first time on BBC Radio WM on Thursday.

Mr Socci said the 30-second song contains the lyrics "Birmingham, 18 states together, friendships now forever, Birmingham united."

He has performed professionally on stage since he was five years old, after learning from his father, Antoine Socci who played in the Band of the Royal Regiment of fusiliers of Warwickshire.

"My father was pretty famous around the West Midlands for playing in a ballroom dance band for 60 years and he did all the big functions," he added.

"I learnt trumpet on the job, so I was probably one of the last generation to be out every night on a school night with my father's ballroom dance band, learning tunes."

Having studied Jazz at Birmingham Conservatoire and previously been a guest conductor with West Midlands Police Brass Band, Mr Socci was appointed Bandmaster of the Band of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, Warwickshire in 2019 and conducts them at engagements all over the Midlands.

He has also appeared on BBC's Songs of Praise and CBeebies, as well as performing as a ceremonial bugler for the National Memorial Arboretum and the City of Birmingham.

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