Regional Representatives

Ben Bouzan studied bass trombone at the Royal College of Music under Peter Harvey. Before studying at the RCM he played in the National Children's Orchestra, National Children's Wind Orchestra - with which he played the Rimsky-Korsakov Trombone Concerto - and the National Youth Orchestra. While at the RCM, and also afterwards, he played with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, where he gained his love of big bands, although his improvisation never really improved. This was not the band's fault but totally Ben's; it would seem that some bass trombonists can unfortunately get away with too much!

Ben has been a member of the Executive Board since October 2006. He has also been the East Anglia Representative since 2004, organising an annual trombone day at Oundle School where he is currently the low brass teacher, both at the Junior and Senior Schools.

Ben started his teaching career with Musicale Ltd. in Harpenden. At one point he was teaching 85 pupils individually, for 15 or 30 minutes each at 24 schools over 4 days. This also included conducting three of Musicale's bands as well. This became too demanding when he started at Oundle School, so he now teaches one evening a week at their Music School and at one local primary school. He is currently a brass tutor on three of their nationwide summer music courses and has been invited to tutor on the National Children's Wind Sinfonia and National Children's Wind Orchestra Easter 2008 courses, run by the founders and owners of Musicale, David and Gill Johnston.

In September 2006 he started teaching for Hertfordshire Music Service, delivering Wider Opportunities lessons for two schools and playing with the Service's brass quintet.

He teaches privately within the area he lives in, near Royston, Hertfordshire, and tries to keep up a freelance playing life. Unfortunately the latter is difficult to juggle with all the teaching commitments, but is very much enjoyed when managed.

Ben has always wanted to help further the work of the British Trombone Society, bringing trombonists from all genres, standards and ages together to help better the standard of playing and enjoyment of our favoured instrument.

Long live the trombone!

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