Slides
Spring 2013 The Trombonist
Oundle BTS Trombone Day
Ben Bouzan reports 2 October 2012 saw the eighth annual East Anglia Trombone Day take place in the Great Hall of Oundle School, and what fantastic weather we had yet again! Paul Fisher very kindly agreed to take the youngsters’ massed blow while the AGM and passing over of Presidency from Brett Baker to Carol Jarvis was being held upstairs. Eye of the Tiger was definitely a wake-up call for 10.00am! Duncan Wilson was next up to conduct the full massed blow. He had specially arranged five pieces for us all to play through: three Bach Chorales, Gounod’s Funeral March of a Marionette, Berlioz’s March to the Scaffold, the traditional Welsh tune All through the Night and finally a renamed piece from Pierrot’s Dance, Entry of the Trombone-iators (Gladiators). A glorious sounding, 40-strong Trombone Choir! All throughout the day we had Will Watson of Prozone Music and Chris Fower and Becca Pope of Warwick Music set up with all their products for everybody to look at, try and buy. We are extremely grateful and thankful that they take the time to bring their business to this and other BTS Days. After lunch, we had a fantastic mixed session of masterclass, performing and improvisation workshops. Christian Jones started off by working with 15 year-old bass trombonist Katy Surridge. Then followed a performance of Satin Doll and Whoopin’ Blues by nine year-old Thomas Wiggins (his parents had VERY kindly driven him all the way from Germany!) and this then led into an improvisation workshop with Nat Witts. Nat took part in the very first Oundle BTS day back in 2005, as part of the performance that day by the National Youth Jazz Orchestra Trombone Section. Great to have had her back! The day finished with a spectacular performance from Lee Hallam and The Steel City Bones, a Jazz Trombone and rhythm group. The group was made up of trombonists Lee Hallam, Brian Archer, Stuart Garside, Matthew Ball and David Pearce; Andy Dressler on piano, Derrick Harris on guitar, Adrian Knowles on bass and George Double on drums. It was a spectacular performance and a fantastic finish to a fantastic day. My thanks go to everyone who was there, in whatever capacity. You all make the day what it is!
Porthywaen BTS Day Gareth Johnson reports The autumn season of BTS events kicked off in fine style at Porthywaen Silver Band Hall, on the Shropshire-Welsh Border. The wonderful facilities available made this a very special day and drew players and delegates from far and wide. Brett Baker started the day with a massed blow, which was also a first rehearsal for the evening concert, including Procession of the Nobles, Franner Otter’s Octet 1 and The Simpsons. Brett’s masterclass followed, which generated a real energy throughout players and spectators alike. His demonstration of Baroque repertoire, accompanied by Ruth Webb on piano, was stylishly performed and professionally conveyed to a very appreciative audience. Danny Brookes and Stephen Lomas, principal and bass trombone of Leyland Band respectively, were next up. Both Danny and Stephen had played the night before in Preston as part of the Preston Guild celebrations, marching with Leyland Band until after midnight. Their enthusiasm was first class and duet playing of the highest standard wowed us all. It was rounded off with a brilliant performance of Charles Small’s Conversation. At lunchtime, sausage, bacon and egg butties were in great demand, and plentiful, as more players started to arrive. First to play after lunch was Ryan Watkins,
RNCM student, and principal trombone of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain (NYBBGB). Ryan played Sandstrom’s Sang til Lotta and Sonata for Trombone and Piano by Sulek with style and panache. Ruth and Ryan really connected and gave a great performance. Ruth was then joined by fellow NYBBGB trombonist Ross Johnson, who played Softly Awakes My Heart. Again the connection was magical and the music was stunning. The Black Dyke Trombone Quartet was next on stage. A mixture of senior and youth amalgamated for the first time, with Brett Baker and Garry Reed from the senior ranks joined by Adam Reed and Ross Johnson from the band’s Youth Quartet. Anticipation was high, excellence expected and we were not disappointed, particularly with the splendid playing in Red Shield March. The Quartet was then joined by Ryan Watkins, Osian Davies, Simon Holland and Erika Canty and performed as an octet, playing a selection of hymns, Scarborough Fair and The Simpsons. Stephen Sykes, Tredegar’s principal trombone, joined bass trombonist Jonathan Warburton in performing duets written for Jonathan. These were expertly performed by players at the top of their game and we were also entertained by the gentle banter from both players. The afternoon was rounded off with the final massed blow and a rehearsal for the
evening concert. Porthywaen Silver Band was in fine form under the baton of Mark Parry and a packed audience had a real treat in store. The Black Dyke Quartet played Mr Sandman, Gospel Time and the last movement of Philip Sparke’s Tokyo Triptich with an excellence that Black Dyke commands. Ryan Watkins, principal of Brighouse and Rastrick Band, gave the première of Equinox by Andrew Stevenson with Porthywaen Silver Band, this being his first guest solo appearance and certainly not likely to be his last. Stephen Sykes’ rendition of Stardust with Porthywaen Silver Band was amazing. Jonathan Warburton’s Rainy Day in Rio, Introduction and Burlesque, finishing with Mr. Nice Guy, gave the bass trombone a real feature and was much appreciated by the audience. The BTS Choir gave a wonderful performance of Octet 1 by Franner Otter, with Porthywaen’s Alan Metcalfe playing the solo part in front of his home crowd. The occasion proved to be a great send off for the retiring President of the British Trombone Society, Brett Baker, and he stunned the audience with Leona, Mr. Bojangles and You Only Live Twice, which brought the house down. A big thanks to everyone who took part, especially Ruth Webb - a wonderful pianist!
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