NEWS
RSAMD, Glasgow
RAM, London
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Sunday 7 June The Guinness Room at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music & Drama recently played host to a wealth of tromboneplaying talent, when it was the venue for a trombone day organised by Chris Stearn, bass trombonist with Scottish Opera and trombone tutor at the RSAMD. The event showcased a mixture of professional players and the institution’s entire trombone department. In all the breaks, participants flocked to a trade stand from Band Supplies who were showing off shiny new trombones and their associated bits and pieces. Following a brief introduction and welcome to the enthusiastic audience from Chris, the first of two professional trombone quartets took to the stage. TONE comprises former RSAMD student Andrew Foden on bass, with current students Davur Magnussen and Rui Pedro Alves and former Scottish Opera Principal Matt Gee on tenor. As Matt explained, they were keen to highlight the vocal qualities of the instrument, and featured a diverse programme from JS Bach’s Toccata & Fugue to Trois Chansons by Debussy. An outrageous encore featured the remarkable Davur Magnussen, 3rd year student and RSNO principal trombone, on the slide trumpet in Sousa’s Star and Stripes. Davur was then featured the same evening as soloist in the fantastic Trombone Concerto by Buxton Orr, accompanied by the Scottish National Wind Orchestra. Following TONE on stage were two ensembles from the RSAMD; first of all, trombone quartet Slide Too Far, only formed at the beginning of the academic year, but already making considerable progress. They featured a programme of music written entirely by Dan Jenkins, including the Ballet Dance of a Hippopotamus, aptly featuring some contrabass trombone playing, from student Gordon Seith. Contrabass is just one of the specialist avenues which can be explored by trombone students at the RSAMD, and who better to teach students about the instrument than the man who helped design this particular Rath model, Chris Stearn. In addition to the monstrous contrabass trombone, the notably smaller alto is also on hand and taught at the Academy. Indeed, alto was played by John Connolly in the RSAMD Trombone Ensemble, comprising all 9 nine of the RSAMD’s terrific trombonists conducted by Chris Stearn. Additional specializations on offer to students are in the fields of early and contemporary music. On the staff at the Academy is one of the world’s greatest 4 | Summer 2009 | The Trombonist
Sunday 21st June specialist practictioners, John Kenny, and with alto, tenor and bass sackbuts contained in the Academy’s instrument collection, there are many possibilities open to the trombone students. Returning to the Trombone Day, and one of the most interesting aspects of the event was a discussion forum. Chaired by Chris, he was joined by fellow professionals and teachers at the Academy, Lance Green (RSNO), Simon Johnson (BBCSSO) along with Matt Gee, now Principal at Opera North. During the discussion, many fascinating topics were brought up, including extraordinary musical experiences, mental preparation for auditions and opinions on using different “equipment” for music from different styles and periods. It was also an ideal platform for some members of the audience to put their queries forward and all in all, proved to be an enthralling listen for all those who were present. Following the forum was the professional quartet Slide Effect, feauring RSAMD graduates Nigel Cox, Gregor Stewart and Paul Stone along with Derek Bishop on bass. Again, they performed a varied programme which was in two parts, either side of brief masterclasses with Chris and Simon taking turns to work with a couple of the academy’s proficient young students. Finally, Derek Bishop (of Mitre Music and freelance player) led anyone who wanted to play through a splendid massed blow to round off a fantastic day of trombone-related antics. It was great to see so many of Scotland’s professional players join forces with the students and enthusiastic amateurs for this great conclusion. A huge thank you is owed to everyone who took part in the Trombone Day and made it such an enjoyable event. Particular appreciation is directed to organiser Chris Stearn who ensured it ran smoothly and efficiently from beginning to end. I certainly look forward to the next time such an occasion is repeated here at the RSAMD. Mark Good, student, RSAMD
This was yet another cracker of a day organised by BTS President Bob Hughes, courtesy of the Royal Academy, to whom many thanks. Some 25 players of all sizes, shapes and abilities enjoyed a massed blow under Bob’s expert hands and listened to the excellent RAM trombones with rhythm section and Gordon Campbell as featured soloist. Four from Chetham’s and eight from Wells Cathedral School made the trip and some of them took part in an inspiring masterclass from Denis Wick.
London Brass Trombones and Bones Apart join together for the grand finale
BTS Tromb all around Brett Baker conducts the massed trombone choir in a performance for Durham’s BRASS festival
Blandford, Dorset Sunday 13th September The latest event for the South region attracted players from as far as Cornwall! The emphasis was on maximum playing, with participants expertly led by Bournemouth SO Principal Trombone Kevin Morgan and Tony Evans. Music rehearsed varied from Dave Hankin’s Superman arrangement through Robin Benton’s Spiritual, to the March from Tchaikovsky’s 6th. It was all captured by microphones and Kevin will be distributing CDs shortly! Cliff Bevan