SUPPORTING THE NEXT GENERATION

BY ALASTAIR WARREN

The BTS is exited to welcome two new additions to our stock of loan instruments: a Conn 88H donated by Halesworth Arts Festival in memory of Tony Parsons, founding editor of The Trombonist, and a Yamaha YSL882GO, donated by Peter Moore.

Matthew Wetmore writes ‘The Halesworth Arts Festival ran from 2002 until the onset of the pandemic in 2020. I became Director from about 2004 and Tony came on board around three years later. Among an eclectic mix of music, theatre, dance, poetry and visual art, we must have put on over 300 concerts of all sorts – classical, folk and jazz. Many musical performers were people known to Tony; his professional connections and knowledge were a brilliant asset to our meagre amateur abilities. Tony became an integral part of the Festival. It’s been over three years since he died, and we miss him like mad. In later years, he made it his business to inspire young aspiring trombonists and we hope the instrument we have donated to the Society will help his enthusiasm live on.’

Jane Parsons commented ‘When the Halesworth Arts Festival was being wound up – Matthew as Director, myself, and the rest of the committee members, which used to include Tony – had a certain amount of money to allocate to worthy causes in the arts world. Matthew readily agreed to the project of giving a trombone to the BTS. I was so thrilled as it was such a fitting memorial to Tony. I am sure he would have agreed gladly as the BTS was very close to his heart and something he was passionate about. Anything to help young people get on when good instruments are very expensive.’

About the donations, Simon Minshall, BTS President said ‘It means a great deal to all at the BTS that we are able to add two more instruments to our loan scheme.

To have an instrument given in memory of Tony Parsons is very special: Tony did so much for the BTS and I hope this will be a fitting tribute to his legacy and something that will benefit many musicians in their development. Thanks go to Jane Parsons for thinking of

the BTS and Michael Rath who did an incredible job of engraving Tony’s signature ‘signature’ on the trombone, which looks stunning!

We are also incredibly grateful for the donation of a Yamaha tenor trombone from the London Symphony Orchestra’s Peter Moore. As an ambassador for our instrument across the world it is wonderful that a young player will benefit from Peter’s donation.’

The BTS Instrument Loan and Bursary schemes make a real difference to a number of young trombonists every year and are fundamental to the Society’s work as a registered Charity.

The Trombonist caught up with several recent recipients to find out what their awards had meant to them.

Inna Regan I would like to say ‘thank you’ to the British Trombone Society for the support which has been given to my son Daniel via the bursary scheme over the last couple of years. Daniel has significant hearing loss, but he has never seen this as a problem for him, and he tries to deliver this message to other people with hearing difficulties. Dan absolutely loves trombone and is doing really well: he has just turned 15 and has already passed grade 8 with distinction. He plays regularly with the Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Brass Band, Kearsley Youth Brass Band, Freckleton Brass Band and Lancashire Youth Symphony Orchestra, and played first trombone with the National Youth Concert Band during the Easter break. He also took part in the 2021–22 NYO inspire programme. He is very proud that the British Trombone Society supported and believed in him and often says ‘I will do as best as I can because the BTS believes in me’.

Elliot Hampton I received a generous bursary from the BTS last year, which has been very helpful in supporting me to further my trombone studies. I put the money towards paying for transport to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where I am on the Junior Jazz Course. Coming from East Kent every Saturday, the journey back and forth is quite expensive. The experience at Guildhall has been instrumental in my education so far, with plenty of workshops and concerts. I have also had the wonderful opportunity of studying under two fantastic trombone teachers there, namely Trevor Mires and Susan White. None of this would have been possible without the support of the BTS.

Sam Phillips I am writing to extend my thanks for the loan of the trombone (Rath R400). It has come at a time that has made it invaluable as I have used it to prepare for and gain a distinction in my grade 8 exam. In addition, I have appreciated its capabilities in my county youth orchestra and wind ensemble, taking it on tour to Jersey last summer. I will be starting to study music at Oxford university this year and have been very grateful for how much the trombone has encouraged me to improve my playing and fuelled my passion for music. It has been very useful in my school and local orchestras/bands also, and it has been very helpful whilst preparing my diploma.

Aileen Orr As a member of the Society for several years, I was delighted to receive a bursary towards the cost of attending the English Symphony Orchestra youth residential course last year. It made all the difference to me being able to attend and gain invaluable orchestral experience and form new friendships with likeminded musicians. This, along with attending Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Juniors, and my brass band experience with a number of bands, latterly Coalburn Silver Band and the National Youth Brass Bands of Scotland all puts me in good stead to start my BMus on bass trombone in September studying at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. ◆