Rotterdam Trombone Choir

Beating off stiff competition from several big American universities, the Emory Remington Trombone Choir Award was awarded to the Rotterdam Conservatory Trombone Class back in March. They won it with a 25 minute recording from last December and were invited to perform in New Orleans at this summer's International Trombone Festival. To see photos from their trip and MP3 files of their beautiful sounds (no doubt this was their entry) check out their new website here. The sound at the start of the Holst Perfect Fool is awesome!!

So well done to those Rotterdam good students:
Frederic Belli (Germany)
Victor Belmonte (Spain)
Quirijn van den Bijlaard (the Netherlands)
Jaume Gavilan (Spain)
Frank Kramer (the Netherlands)
Jun-Ichiro Nagai (Japan)
Eloy Panizo (Tenerife)
Isaac Sanabria (Spain)
Martin Schippers (the Netherlands)
Takashi Shinagawa (Japan)
Klaas van Slageren (the Netherlands)
Mikel Arkauz Zubillaga (Basque Country)
Yosuke Kurihara (Japan)
Tomer Maschkowski (Israel, the Netherlands)
Dietmar Nigsch (Austria)
Helene Overlie (Norway)
Ben Schultz (Australia)
Hironori Suzuki (Japan)
Steven Verhelst (Belgium)

They've got a strong team and great coaching from Pierre Volders, Jörgen van Rijen and teaching legend George Wiegel. The question is: now they've wrested the trophy away from the States, can they hang on to it and establish themselves as the new world centre of trombone learning?


Apparently next year's ITF is going to be in Birmingham, England, so I reckon that all the British colleges should enter the competition this time so that we can have a bit of a local Derby. I'll be at Guildhall, where Peter Gane, Simon Wills and Eric Crees have pretty much invented the trombone ensemble in this country. But there will be stiff compeition, with some excellent players at both the Royal Academy and Royal College, a real strength and depth ever present at the Royal Northern and of course you cannot discount the hard working players at Trinity, Welsh or Scottish colleges. C'mon everyone, let's all enter this December!!

Globokar reviewed

The Guardian was in Aldeburgh last Thursday to hear contemporary trombonist/composer Vinko Globokar's recital. And reviewer Rian Evans loved it!

But every gesture opened up new aural possibilities and, together with foot-stamping, slide-banging and zany vocal punctuation, the effect was compelling.

My friend Jon went to the composition workshop the next day, led by Simon Wills and aided by Vinko. After Simon had gone through the sound possibilities open to people writing for the trombone, performed several new works by the young composers present, Globokar came out with an astounding remark. In the midst of a lot of gate squeeking, he said basically that composers should write music that actually suits the instrument.

Music for the trombone should always reflect its ancestry and reflect its intrinsic nature over mechanical impositions.

Nuff said...

Wilby premier for Fine Arts

Celebrating their 25th anniversary this year, Fine Arts Brass, who now contain four out of five players not much older themselves, have commissioned English composer Philip Wilby. The premier of 'A New World Dancing' will open the Warwick Festival on July 1st.

Philip has written 3 pieces for FAB over the years; in 1988, 1993 and most recently in 2003. This new piece will be a break from tradition as it is composed for the combined forces of brass quintet, piano/keyboards/organ, bass and drums and full choir. Philip has informed us that this new piece will be called 'A New World Dancing' and is set to a text by Archbishop Desmond Tutu. As a result, it will also contain lots of Africian rhythms as well as an Africian-style clapping chorus. The choir appearing with us will be the Armonico Consort. We will also finish the concert with a new arrangement for the same forces from the three Ellington Sacred Concerts.

Friday 1 July, 7.30pm
St Mary's Church, Warwick, UK

Armonico Consort and Fine Arts Brass Ensemble and Central and South Warwickshire Singers (CMS Music Centres)

Peter Maxwell-Davies Four Voluntaries by Tallis
Tallis If ye love me and O nata lux
Philip Wilby A New World Dancing World Premiere
Graham Fitkin Trevor
Tippett Negro Spirituals
A Tribute to Big Bands (Count Basie, Harry James and Dizzy Gillespie)
Duke Ellington Sacred Concerts

The section that lays together plays together

As the first reviews come in for Blair Tindall's new book, an expose of sex, drugs and nepotism in the orchestral world, some comedy snippets are coming through.

The Times reports" Blair saying:

I got hired for most of my gigs in bed

And if you want to know who to date in the orchestra, Blair advises:

Instrument players had a sexual style unique to their instrument. Neurotic violinists, anonymous in their orchestra section, came fast. Trumpet players pumped away like jocks, while pianists’ sensitive fingers worked magic. French horn players, their instruments the testiest of all, could rarely get it up, but percussionists could make beautiful music out of anything.

It appears that Ms Tindall was bonking her way up the musical ladder while still at school where she found:

were the way to get ahead was by sleeping with the student concertmaster and the middle-aged professor.

But Norman Lebrecht assures us that the book's description of the New York freelance scene is much more colourful than here in Britain...




Available from Amazon.co.uk

Nick Hudson in the Midlands

Trombone fans should note that the marvellous sounds of Nick Hudson playing the buoyant and underplayed Rhapsody for Trombone by Gordan Langford this Saturday in the Midlands area.

My band, Travelsphere Holidays have invited this star trombonist to feature in their concert at the well known home of great brass music, the Spinney Hill Theatre in Northampton. Apart from the Langford Rhapsody, Nick will feature in Hoagy Carmichael's ever popular Stardust and will be joined by the Travelsphere trombone section (Simon Kingsley, David Read and Nigel Love) for a special arrangement for four trombones and band of Cole Porter's up-beat "It's Alright".


Brilliant Sounds of Brass
Nick Hudson (Besson trombone clinician & soloist)
with
The Travelsphere Holidays Band

Saturday 25th June 2005, 7.30pm

The Spinney Hill Theatre, Northampton School for Girls, Spinney Hill Rd, Northampton

£10 all seats

Ticks from Northampton Visitor Centre 01604 838800, Kettering Tourist Information Centre 01536 410266 and any remaining ones will be for sale on the door.

Chris Houlding recital

Chris Houlding will be introducing his orchestra's season in Huddersfield in a solo concert with piano and organ on 27th June. More details here

Man threatens to play trombone as last resort

'Up yours,' says banned park man Pensioner Henry

Jun 17 2005
By Chris Pragnell, South London Press

Meet the public menace who's not afraid of prison.

Pensioner Henry "Jan" Copeman's defiant V-sign follows his latest brush with the law. A sworn enemy of Wandsworth council, the 69-year-old is banned from Battersea Park for life.

Mr Copeman's mission is to rid the park of corporate events and free it entirely for public use. His campaign of four-letter verbal attacks on council staff has already landed him in the dock on numerous occasions.

This week Mr Copeman was fined £500 and ordered to pay £1,500 costs by a county court judge for his latest bolshy outbursts.

"I can get away with murder in court," boasted Mr Copeman, who lives in a posh apartment overlooking the park. I'm too old to be beaten. After this, the next step is death and I don't give a damn."

His £500 fine follows accusations of foul language and a "limp-wristed" hand gesture aimed at council staff. But the retired advertising executive says he will not be beaten by Wandsworth.

"They'll be happy when I'm dead and buried," he said.

"I quite genuinely believe that parks are for the public. That is why they were created. Not for private events such as corporate parties."

At this week's hearing, the county court judge warned Mr Copeman he could be jailed if he continued to harass park staff.

"I don't care," responded Mr Copeman afterwards.

"I could take along my trombone and play in the prison brass band."

But the council claims Mr Cope-man's behaviour has gone beyond eccentric campaigning to systematic intimidation of its staff.

Victims of his foul-mouthed outbursts have included a pregnant parks officer, said a spokesman.

"If Mr Copeman behaves himself then he has nothing to worry about," he added.

"He has been told on many occasions that if he continues causing problems in the park we will not hesitate to bring the matter to court.

"He has only himself to blame for landing himself in this trouble."

* Mr Copeman appears in a Channel 4 Cutting Edge documentary called Antisocial Old Buggers, starting at 9pm on Wednesday.

Musician gossip

Mozart in the Jungle: Sex, Drugs, and Classical Music
A New York freelance oboist Blair Tindall has spilled the beans on post-concert gossip. Whether it is the musicians, the conductors or even the orchestral administrators, Tindall aims to expose the more debaucherous aspects of the life of classical musicians.

I was very disappointed when Richard Morris' centenery book on the LSO only hinted that there were stories involving a tour to Spain, drunk, brass players, 3am, climbing into hotel windows and the wrong hotel, so perhaps this book will have more details on what really goes on!




Available from Amazon.co.uk

David Baker trombone concerto

Czech readers will be interested to hear there is a performance of the David N. Baker "Trombone Concerto" in Prague. Jiří Novotný is accompanied by the Czech National SO. Concert details here.

Dvořákova síň Rudolfina (Dvorak Hall at the Rudolfinum, Prague)
9th November 2005, 19:30

S. Mitchell Kolos rhodský, ze suity Sedm divů světa
D. N. Baker Koncert pro trombon a orchestr
J. Brahms Symfonie č. 1

Jiří Novotný, trombone
ČNSO / Paul Freeman, conductor

Surprise CD release for London Brass

I don't think there is a finer brass ensemble anywhere at the moment than London Brass but unfortunately they aren't often heard. Well it seems they have upped their game lately and have released a new CD from the core of their newish repertoire. Lots of great music to enjoy!


Surprise - London Brass

Caravan (Ellington arr. Bissill)
Hungarian Rhapsody no. 2 (Liszt arr. Rimmer/Bissill)
Blackbird (Lennon/McCartney arr. Edwards)
Norwegian Wood (Lennon/McCartney arr. Bissill)
Spain (Corea arr. Bissill)
Lush Life (Strayhorn arr. Smith)
Surprise Variations (Hart)

Price:
£12.95 + £2.99 shipping to UK from World of Brass
£13.99 + £1.16 shipping to UK from London Brass themselves

Don't forget their concert in London on Friday next week.

Canadian Brass in the UK

It's been several years since we last heard Canadian Brass in the UK. I have some fond memories of them in the QEH about 10 years ago with some superb arrangements. They are not particularly serious, but they really entertain and are fantastic to watch. Check out their schedule this November:

The Music Live Exhibition, Birmingham NEC: November 6
St John’s Smith Square London: November 7
Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, Glasgow: November 8
Bridgewater Hall Manchester: November 9
Cardiff Cathedral: November 10

The master class schedule is:
November 7: Royal College of Music, London
November 8: Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, Glasgow
November 9: Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester
November 10: Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama

Royal Scottish Academy Brass in Orkney Islands

Led by renowned trumpet soloist John Wallace, the RSAMD brass will be performing this weekend and next week in a series of concerts in the St. Magnus Festival in the Scottish Orkney islands. Also look out for John Kenny in a talk about the origins of brass instruments and no doubt a demo of the amazing Carnyx.


Saturday, 18th June, 4pm
St Magnus Church, Birsay

Royal Scottish Academy Brass

Britten Fanfare for St Edmundsbury
Salzedo Divertimento
Gabrieli Canzona

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Sunday 19th June Gable End, Hoy 8pm

Royal Scottish Academy Brass Sextet

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Tuesday, 21st June, 2.40pm, Flotta

Royal Scottish Academy Brass (10-piece)

Arr. Wright Field of Battle
John Maxwell Geddes Wolf of Badenoch
Jim Parker Light Fantastic

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Wednesday 22nd June, Pickaquoy Centre, Kirkwall, 5.30pm-7pm

From Jericho to Jazz

John Wallace trumpets & other instruments, ancient and modern
John Kenny carnyx & trombones
Royal Scottish Academy Brass


An entertaining performance and enlightening presentation of brass music, from its most ancient origins to its most modern possibilities, with two of the country's foremost soloists.

Plog trumpet concerto in New York

New York based brass ensemble "Hora Decima" present a concert next weekend featuring trumpeter Dominic Derasse in Anthony Plog's first concerto, as well as the excellent Fanfares Liturgiques by Tomasi and the beautiful Mutations from Bach by Barber.



7pm, Sunday June 26 2005
Christ & St. Stephen's Church, 120 West 69th Street (between Broadway and Columbus.), NYC.
Admission by donation: $15 appreciated

J.S. Bach (arr. Allen) Komm Susser Tod
Samuel Barber Mutations from Bach for Brass Choir and Timpani
Henri Tomasi Fanfares Liturgiques
Gustav Holst (arr.Friedman) Suite from "The Perfect Fool"
Anthony Plog (1988) Concerto No. 1 - Dominic Derasse, trumpet soloist
Robert Starer (1956) Serenade for Brass
Maurice Ravel (arr. Allen) Pavane pour une Infante Defunte
Gioachino Rossini (arr. Allen) Overture to the Barber of Seville
Giovanni Gabrieli Two Canzonas from Symphoniae Sacre Septimi toni No. 2 Primi toni

Hora Decima
Conductor: David Chamberlain
Trumpet: Dominic Derasse, Frank Hosticka, David Schneck, Bruce Staelens, Colin Brigstocke
French Horn: RJ Kelley, Michelle Bolton, Aime Margoles, Eric Davis
Trombone: Brad Ward, Bob Suttmann, Jeff Nelson
Euphonium: Terry Pierce
Tuba: Morris Kainuma
Percussion: Gregory Landes, Jonathan Gleich

More information about the ensemble is available on their website at: www.horadecima.com
For more information about this concert contact: Janet Reid, InHousePR, 718.418.2419 or GetReviews@aol.com

Articles of Note

Airmen of Note bandleader and jazz trombonist Joe Jackson has written some interesting articles for us to read, including some material for our high note practise.

envision blowing air through a straw without hitting the sides (!)

You're a Bicycle

Some interesting breathing and posture ideas courtesy of David Fetter here.

'Keeping the diaphragm raised' / 'Keep your belly out' / 'Keep your sternum up' are hints I've seen in the past which aim for the same thing in giving a good constant exhalation. Putting your arms in the air is definitely and 'holding up' your chest when you bring them down again is a real help in getting used to this idea. Have fun with these!

CSO/RCO programme

More details have filtered through about the amazing Chicago SO / Concertgebouw brass concert last month, where tickets were up to $125.

Gabrieli: Canzona septimi toni No. 2
Prokofiev (Apon): Suite from Lt. Kije
Walton (Kreines): Crown Imperial March
Rimsky Korsakov (Kreines): Procession of the Nobles
Mostel: Night and Dawn
Holst (Kreines): Jupiter from The Planets
Holst (Friedman): Ballet Suite from The Perfect Fool
Strauss (Friedman): A Strauss fanfare
Elgar (Kreines): Nimrod from Enigma Variations
Respighi (Kreines): The Pines of the Appian way from The Pines of Rome

James Gilbertson
Michael Mulcahey (Euphonium)
Charlie Vernon (Contrabass)
Gene Pokorny
Bart Claessens
Ivan Meyelmans
Nico Schippers
Jorgen van Rijen
Raymond Munnecom
Perry Hoogendijk

8 trumpets
9 horns
6 bones
2 euphoniums
2 tubas
4 percussion and organ

Thanks to Evil Ronnie.

Yamaha trombone quartet in New York

Any music that features Doug Yeo is worth looking out for, so readers from New York in a couple of weeks will be treated to a performance from his trombone quartet and some workshops.

Following up on our debut performance at the 2004 International Trombone Festival, the Yamaha Xeno Trombone Quartet (Peter Sullivan, Al Kay, Tom Brantley, Douglas Yeo) will present a "Trombone Day" hosted by Yamaha at Yamaha Artist Services Inc (YASI) in New York City on Saturday, June 18, 2005. This all day event will start with the full range of Yamaha trombones, including the new Xeno models, available for testing from 11:00 am - 1:00 PM. Clinics by Peter Sullivan, Al Kay and Douglas Yeo will be given at 1:00, 2:30 and 4:00, followed by a recital by the members of the quartet (solos and ensemble works accompanied by piano and jazz combo) at 7 pm. This event is FREE and open to the public but reservations should be made by calling or emailing YASI as space is limited.

Location:
Yamaha Artist Services Inc (YASI)
689 Fifth Avenue (enter on 54th Street)
New York, NY

Contact (for further information or to reserve a seat to this FREE event):
YASI 212-339-9995 x321
or
email: trombone@yamaha.com