spring 2016 the trombonist
Darren Smith
by Christian Jones
when the bass I was in the process of leaving the Army al ion fess pro a been you e hav g for me then, How lon trombone position first became vacant, but for ician mus nal essio prof a been I’ve t to the musician? it was too early to apply. I left the army, wen of ol Scho or Juni y Arm the d joine I Goodhew was twenty six years. Royal Academy, and my predecessor Rob ths mon n fiftee t spen and 1989 I thought that Music in Pirbright in appointed to the BBC later that summer. bone, the later, s studying piano, double bass and bass trom year six e would be the end of it, but som s. I then suddenly I ge. latter with Paul Lawrence and Dave Evan chan Rob decided he wanted a career studying spent another twelve months at Kneller Hall felt very hopeful. ing, I spent with Cliff Jones. On completion of my train e in the Vale r Guards Where do you live? I live in Cowbridg twelve years in The Band of the Grenadie South Wales, the Changing of Glamorgan; a very picturesque part of performing at various ceremonies, such as Cardiff of Parliament close to the seaside and twenty minutes from of the Guard, VE Day, The State Opening fair share of Bay where the Orchestra rehearse. and The Trooping of the Colour. We did our . ? Do you double on any instruments touring too, to Australia, Europe and the USA had to play have I h whic , rican Other than the tenor trombone My final tour involved fifty-six North Ame trombone re fanfa bass G by bus all occasionally, I also played the cities in two and a half months, travelling that, with age dam e ied to join in the Army. Wow, I could do som the way. I left the Army in 2003 and appl ht boug also I back nts had far but it is great fun once tamed. Years the Metropolitan Police Service. My pare was h whic elf and, an old Alexander contrabass trombone, more faith in my musical abilities than mys a chieftain s orchestra great to learn on, except it was like holding unbeknown to me, sent my CV to London a bullet and on tank on your shoulder, it would easily stop for extra work. I had one reply, from the Lond I have since this audition, most likely could do just as much damage. Philharmonic Orchestra. In preparation for stic. Royal acquired a Rath contrabass, which is fanta I went for lessons with Bob Hughes at the supportive Academy of Music. Bob was fantastically post-graduate a g and encouraged me to think about doin sful at the cces diploma the following year. Though unsu vating moti ly LPO audition, I found the experience huge Lindsay and felt inspired. I sat in the section with art sat in Stew e Dav st whil , Shilling and Brian Raby from the Aria s stro’ Sara ed front and listened. We play Fourth s sky’ ikov Tcha Magic Flute and excerpts from iction, conv and ty clari Symphony and I felt a moment of e. gsid alon as these players were so easy to play I wanted The experience solidified in my mind that leaving the to play the bass trombone seriously. Since estra for RAM, I played in The Syd Lawrence Orch two and a for ed Wick , show three years, the West End on film ed work , trials l half years, had a few orchestra er. care ng anci sessions and enjoyed a varied freel ? How did you come to join the BBCNOW ng havi Having grown up in the countryside and years, I wanted subsequently lived in London for twenty Orchestra to escape the Big Smoke. The BBC National to be in. of Wales was the orchestra I always wanted
26
The Bass Bone Files : TOP SECRET
Bass Bone Files