BRITISH TROMBONE FESTIVAL

BY MATTHEW GEEE

After a drought of live events over of the last couple of years, we are returning with a bang: 29 and 30 October, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (RBC). Remember the date, get it tattooed on your arm, better still, book your place now for what promises to be the biggest trombone festival the UK has seen for 20 years!

The British Trombone Festival 2022, the first edition of our new biennial event, will showcase some of the UK’s very best trombone players; a stellar cast of performers and educators who are sure to dazzle, inspire and generally whip up trombone fever. The weekend will also host all four of our competitions, the Bob Hughes Bass Trombone Competition, the BTS Trombone Quartet Competition, the brand new BTS Sackbut Competition and the BTS Trombone Choir Competition.

On Saturday, alongside many of the traditional activities, such as the massed blow, group warm-ups, and gala concerts, there will be a dedicated Youth Day, giving players under the age of 18 the chance to meet, play together, learn from professional players, get started on the basics of improvisation and chat with an expert panel about careers and pathways in music. Cory Brass Band principal trombone, Chris Thomas, will be performing a lunchtime recital, Callum Au will be showing us why and how he arranges music for megastars such as Quincy Jones and Jamie Cullum, and Slide Action will be demonstrating their extraordinary talent, sharing their journey from student trombone quartet to internationally renowned chamber ensemble.

The RBC trombone choir open the gala concert, followed by the RBC Big Band featuring Mark Nightingale – Mark has inspired many generations of trombone players, is one of the most recorded trombone players on the planet and still at the very top of his game; not to be missed!

As if that were not enough, there will also be a Jazz night featuring Rory Ingham’s Trombone Assembly. An illustrious group consisting of Mark Nightingale, Trevor Mires, Dan Higham, Andy Wood and Rory himself. The show – recently seen at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London and reviewed on page 31 – will take place in the RBC’s very own Jazz Club meaning tickets are limited, so book early to avoid disappointment. This performance has been very kindly sponsored by Michael Rath Trombones.

On Sunday we will be joined by Ian Bousfield. He will be taking a class in the morning and performing in the gala concert later that day with the RBC Brass Band. Chris Augustine – former second trombone of WNO, now trombone player in the West End hit musical ‘Frozen’ – shows what is needed to build a successful portfolio career. Dr. Tony Boorer demonstrates some of his work for trombone and electronics; read his article on page 24 for more information. Emily White will be taking you on a journey into early music before sharing a recital with Katy Jones, and finally, Andy Clennell will be on hand to answer all your trombone maintenance questions.

Throughout both days there will be the opportunity to take a Secret Lesson. These twenty-minute lessons could be with any professional player involved in the day, but you will not find out until the day. You will be able to sign up for these in September: keep your eyes open for more information.

A huge thank you must go to our main sponsors Denis Wick and Warwick Music Publishing. ◆