Competitions

British Trombone Society Solo and Quartet Competition

The British Trombone Society is delighted to announce it will be holding a solo and quartet competition at the University of Salford on 7 December 2008.

The competition is only open to members of the British Trombone Society and even if you don’t get round to joining in the next months, membership packs will be available at the event!

The categories for the contest are as follows:

  • Junior (under 16): slow melody
  • Open: air varié
  • Open: slow melody
  • Junior (under 16): quartet
  • Open: quartet

Further sections will be added as appropriate.

The competition is already heating up with players from some of our top bands putting themselves forward to be judged in the open quartet section (it is widely rumoured Queensbury and Sandbach based ensembles might just make an appearance).

Soloists are asked to adhere to the following timings when choosing their piece:

  • Under 16 slow melody: 8 minutes
  • Open air varié and Open slow melody: 10 minutes
  • Quartets in both categories are asked to devise a programme no more than 15 minutes long.

Entries to be sent to Gareth Westwood at . The deadline for completed applications is 1 October 2008, so please register your interest soon.

2008-2009 Composers Competition

The British Trombone Society is delighted to announce its 2008-9 Composers Competition for players and composers throughout the UK and abroad.

Composers are invited to write music for the trombone in one of six categories:

  1. Unaccompanied Trombone

  2. Trombone and Piano
    • Up to Grade 6 standard
    • Grade 8 standard
    • Diploma standard
  3. Trombone and Brass Band

  4. Trombone and Rhythm Section/Big Band

  5. Trombone Quartet Junior (under 16 years)

  6. Trombone Quartet Senior

All submissions must be received by 1 November 2008 and will be judged by a team of expert trombone players and composers from within and outside the British Trombone Society such as Bruce Fraser and Dr Philip Wilby. Entry to the competition is free to British Trombone Society members and £30 to non-members.

Prizes include the publication of your score by Warwick Music and its performance by top level musicians at a future British Trombone Society event in 2009 and at the Black Dyke Music Festival in Leeds during April 2009.

The winner of each section will have an opportunity for his or her composition to be played and recorded by leading UK trombone players including (where applicable) having the composition used in British Trombone Society solo competitions.

Each entry must comprise three copies of the score, a cover letter stating the category it is being entered for, and contact details. The scores must be bound and legible. The piece must be an original work and not performed prior to 1 January 2008. There are no restrictions on composers' age or country. Entries are welcomed from both British Trombone Society members and non-members.

Please send entries to:
Brett Baker
BTS Chairman
35 Yew Tree Drive
Barnton
Northwich
Cheshire
CW8 4NH

The competition is a superb opportunity for composers, however experienced, and provides a showcase for the best new music for trombonists.

National Competition for Young Trombonists (tenor and bass trombone)

The British Trombone Society presents a new competition to celebrate the musical talent amongst young trombonists in the UK.

First prize: a lesson from an eminent British trombonist.

Piece: Hellas, a Greek dance fantasy by Bruce Fraser, for tenor or bass trombone and piano, which has been especially written for this competition. It contains alternative sections for less advanced players – either option is equally suitable for the competition. Available from Lomond Music: http://www.lomondmusic.com or 01337 830974.

Bruce Fraser, the composer, has provided some interesting notes to describe his new work:

Hellas - the name for ancient Greece, is the title I chose for this work for solo trombone and piano, which is the test piece for 2008 BTS young trombone player competition. The inspiration comes from my first Greek cruise last summer, during which I experienced a few of the many traditional folk dances, not actually on the cruise but ashore at various points.

My first approach to write this work was through Stewart Drummond, Head of Brass at Uppingham School and a long time trombone-playing acquaintance. Stewart asked on behalf of the BTS Executive if I would be prepared to write a work for this new competition. I then began to think of ways to personalise it using musical letters from Stewart's name and also the BTS. BTS is a bit unusual, but you can use B flat for B, B for T and E flat for S. Stewart has E, A and D, so, using these notes, I could create the melodies for the opening declamation and the dances themselves.

There are many forms of Greek dances and variation within dance styles, so I basically picked two of the most popular styles – Hasapiko and Syrto and began to create my own versions of these.

Hasapiko is also known as the “butchers dance” and is the one where the dancers link arms around shoulders and drag their feet from side to side in a slow movement. The pace can gradually quicken but not necessary. It is quite a “plodding” with heavy, deliberate steps and moves. The player should be as articulate as possible and very clear with the rhythms. There is certainly opportunity for expression in this section.

Syrto is a fast dance in three four or seven eight or a mixture of both depending on the part of Greece you are in. There is a lot of use of syncopation and speeding up. In the dances I saw there was also fire dancing which was quite spectacular, with a selected dancer dancing over fire patterns on the ground. These are created by using an inflammable liquid sprayed on the ground and lit. The opening section of the Syrto definitely has a Latin feel to it, giving the opportunity to show off flexibility and some athleticism. Use the slide to obtain good quality slurs. In the 3/4 section the syncopation is very important and the player can show off good tone quality in the loud passages, without sounding rough.

There are optional sections where the technical demands are perhaps too high and the player can still enjoy the work without having to struggle. At these points the player should use the lower notes.

I hope that this piece is a useful addition to the solo trombone repertoire and I look forward to hearing the performances of the competitors.

Brett Baker has expressed the wish to record it in a future solo album and I hope that these few words give a little insight into the background and thinking behind the piece.

Judges: The judging panel for both rounds will be:

  • Mark Templeton (LPO and Trinity College of Music)
  • Carol Jarvis (freelance trombonist & educationalist)
  • Bruce Fraser (composer)

Timetable:

  • Submit recorded entry by 30 June 2008.
  • Finalists selected by 31 July 2008. Judges' comments returned to all competitors.
  • Invited finalists compete live at BTS trombone day, Oundle School (Northamptonshire), 5 October 2008

How to Enter

Submit the application form with your recording of Hellas and the entrance fee (if applicable) by 30 June 2008.

For full details, please download an application form.

Don Lusher solo trombone competitions for young tenor trombonists

Don Lusher The British Trombone Society is proud to remember one of the world's great trombonists with an exciting new competition, which gives young players the opportunity to display their melodic, ballad style of playing. Don was renowned worldwide for his mastery of this genre of playing.

First prize: a trophy donated by Diana Lusher and a professional quality trombone donated by Yamaha - a choice of the YSL697Z or YSL881 Xeno. If the standard of the winner is of a high enough level there is the possibility of a recording session with the BBC Big Band.

The final took place in May 2008 and the winner was Robbie Harvey.