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first brit to win Josh Cirtina
The BTS would like to extend its congratulations to Josh Cirtina who has won the 2014 George Roberts Bass Trombone Competition – the first Brit to ever win this prestigious competition! Held in Rochester, New York, the competition is open to bass trombonists under the age of 18 and forms part of the International Trombone Festival. Josh Cirtina is currently a 1st year student at the RNCM. He started playing at the age of 10 in Cheltenham Silver Band, under the watchful eyes of John and Cyndy Button. Due to family relocations he then progressed to the West Mercia Police Band, Morecambe Band and had two great years with Blackburn and Darwen, before happily accepting an offer to join the Fairey Band in December 2013. He has been taught by James Garlick (ex-Brighouse and freelance), and now Adrian Morris (Hallé Orchestra). Josh told the BTS: “Winning the ITA George Roberts competition was a huge privilege and an experience that I will never forget. Being the first British bass trombone player to ever receive the award means a great deal to me and I’d like to thank all those that supported me, especially my teacher, Adrian Morris.”
a sad loss
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In 1967 he was appointed the Principal Trombone of the Hallé Orchestra – a position he held for seven years. His time in Manchester also saw him help to establish the ground breaking brass band musicianship courses at Salford College of Technology.
Conservatoire and Dartington International Summer School. She has also given classes at Trinity College of Music, The Royal Academy of Music and St Mary’s Music School, Edinburgh, and she co-directs the Huntly Summer School.
simon minshall becomes rath artist
The BTS would like to wish Emily every success in her new position.
We are pleased to announce that BTS Treasurer Simon Minshall has been announced as a Rath Bass and Contrabass trombone artist. He joins a long list of distinguished artists including the BTS’s very own Carol Jarvis. Simon Minsall photographed by John Stirzaker
Michael Rath says ‘We are very proud to have young talented musicians supporting the Rath trombone brand and it is with great pleasure we welcome Simon Minshall to our team of artists’
new professor of sackbut, emily white
brett baker new position
It has been announced that BTS past President, Brett Baker, has taken up a permanent full time position at the University of Salford in the Directorate of Music and Performance. Brett says: “It is a Brett Baker dream come true to take up a permanent post as Programme Leader for BA music in the Directorate of Music & Performance at the University of Salford, working with trombonists Duncan Winfield and Robin Dewhurst.”
trombone section night out Recently there was a rare meeting of generations of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic trombone section. The reunion took place in Liverpool and fun was had by all!
The BTS wish to congratulate Emily White who has been appointed as Professor of Sackbut at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
Emily studied sackbut at the Royal Academy of Music with Sue Addison and since then has become a member of the English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble. As well as her work with David’s early musical training came this ensemble, Emily plays with the through the Salvation Army, where he Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, eventually became the solo trombonist with The Sixteen, Gabrieli Consort and the the Chalk Farm Band. He was awarded a Academy of Ancient Music. scholarship to study at Guildhall School Other teaching engagements have of Music where he studied with Denis Wick and Frank Wright. included teaching sackbut at Birmingham The BTS were deeply saddened to learn of the death of David Loukes, the respected conductor, player and educationalist, who passed away on July 3rd 2014.
L-R: Blyth Lindsay, Simon Powell, Simon Cowen, Simon Chappell, John Langford, Eric Jennings.
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