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The Evolution of the Trombone BY GARY AUSTIN
August 21st saw a visit to Swanage in Dorset from not one but two spectacular trombone quartets and for not one but two spectacular occasions: a workshop during the day and an evening concert entitled The Evolution of the Trombone. Both events took place in St Mary’s Parish Church and were part of the Purbeck Art Weeks Festival, this year slightly reduced due to covid. The Concert Trombone Quartette (CTQ) consists of Sue Addison, Emily White, Miguel Tantos and Adrian France, and features the bass voice of Robert MacDonald. They lean towards instruments and repertoire from earlier periods and came armed with sackbuts and plenty of 19th Century ‘pea shooters’ and G bass trombones. Sue even had a slide trumpet (more about that later). I can only presume they all drive cars with large boots. Studio 5 (St5) are the new kids on the block: Emma Bassett, Matthew Lewis, Tom Berry and James Buckle. Their name comes from the room in which the original line-up rehearsed at Wells Cathedral School, though I believe that Matthew and Tom are more recent members. James is a local lad made good and it was great to see him back on his home turf. I must declare an interest here as I started him off on the trombone some twenty years ago. As a contrast to the CTQ they all play modern instruments (mostly Conns if you were wondering). The day began with a workshop led by James, Matthew and Tom, with Sue and Adrian also in attendance. Kevin Morgan from the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra was also there on a bit of a busman’s holiday, the rest of us were local players (or reasonably local) of all ages and experience. Altogether there were 15 trombonists and about three times that many trombones in the church. St Mary’s Church is a fantastic venue. It has a warm acoustic without too much echo which complements the trombone without anything sounding too stodgy or
PHOTO CREDIT: LOUISE LEFFLER
drawn out, unless that is how you’re playing in the first place, of course. Some of the building dates to medieval times with Victorian and 20th century additions. So very much like the two trombone quartets. We kicked off with James and Matt taking us through a group warm-up. We began with quick introductions and how long we’d all been playing. I won’t tell you how long that was for some of us, but clearly what some people can do in 20 years some of us are still Continues on next page …
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