Scottish trombonist John Kenny is collaborating with harp player Hugh Webb and The Edinburgh Quartet in an exciting new project called Embracing the Unknown. This unique sextet will showcase new works over a series of concerts, of which the first is scheduled for Saturday 9th June in Glasgow.

Embracing The Unknown - with new works for trombone, harp and string quartet. Composers include Peter Swan, Andrian Pervazov, Philippos Tsalahouris, Etienne Rolin, Corrado Saglietti and Edward McGuire.

Saturday 9 June 2007, 7.00pm
University of Glasgow Concert Hall, University Avenue, Glasgow
Admission: Free

Full details are available on the University of Glasgow website.

Many British trombonists have a soft spot for old Conn instruments, so there is sure to be some interest in a new gallery of photos from the Conn factory dating from around 1911. Provided by American brass instrument repairers Oberloh, the sepia images show hundreds of men working in a variety of departments from the factory, with scenes including bells being spun, tubes being bent and slides being drawn.

This factory, built in 1910 in Elkhart, Indiana, was where Conn made trombones until 1971, when production (of professional models) moved to Texas.

Excitement continues to build in anticipation of the BTS South’s trombone day, publicised in the recent Summer issue of The Trombonist, the BTS magazine. In addition to the details already supplied, Paul Coker has requested all potential participants contact him in advance if possible, to get an idea of numbers.

The event takes place on Sunday 27th May at the Crown Hotel, Blandford Forum, Dorset, in the Seally Suite. Free coffee and registration takes place at 9am.

Bob Hughes (former LSO), Kevin Morgan (BSO) and John Pritchard (former LPO) will be taking masterclasses and mass blows to culminate in a performance of selected works. The idea of the day is maximum blowing.

Jonathan Warburton will be guesting after lunch and performing several world premieres of pieces written specifically for the trombone and more specifically bass trombone.

Trade stands will be there: Dawkes, The Valve and Maestros. Adrian Jarvis will be present to carry out on the spot repairs. Anyone with specific problems for Adrian, please get in touch with Paul Coker in advance, so that Adrian can make sure any specifics are brought with him.

We are working on ad-hoc guest players to visit and maybe perform and with any luck; fresh back from France the “Stagnant Fossils” will do a stint.

There will be a hot/cold buffet lunch and a cash bar for the afternoon.

Cost (including lunch): £20 to non BTS members, £15 to members and £10 for concessions (over 65, under 16 or students).

Paul Coker
BTS South Region Representative
Telephone: 01428 609741
e-mail: south@britishtrombonesociety.org

This Saturday afternoon, 12th May, Brett Baker is leading a workshop on “performance” for trombonists in the Bristol area. The event will include a massed trombone choir.

In the evening following the workshop there will be a performance by a new trombone choir organised by Don Jenkins at 7.30pm. Players include Bill Geldard, Paul Woodward, Brian Midgley, Steven Jenkins, Nathan Jenkins, Don Jenkins and Brett Baker.

Venue: Broadmead Baptist Church, Broadmead Shopping Centre, Union Street, Bristol
Times: Workshop 1.30pm, Concert 7.30pm
Workshop cost: BTS members free; non-BTS £10

Please contact Cathy Britton on 01454 619084 for more details.

Coming up this Sunday, 13th May, is the BTS Scotland event featuring Bones Apart and Mike Suter (ex-Stan Kenton Band bass trombone wizard), plus a whole lot more!

Provisional timetable:
1.00pm Event opens: Scottish Professional Showcase
Contributions from Scotland’s pro players, featuring ‘Slide Effect’ Scotland’s own pro trombone quartet.

2.00pm Scottish Student Showcase - hear the best of the RSAMD student trombonists.

3.00pm Slide Rule - Adrian Drover’s legendary trombone group

4.00pm Bones Apart - workshop for young trombonists. Help from the very best trombonists.

5.00pm Massed trombone rehearsal conducted by Bob Hughes - everybody’s chance to join in and get ready for the evening blow, with direction from the LSO legend.

7.30pm Evening Event, featuring Bones Apart, Mike Suter with the RSAMD Big Band, with massed blow, and mystery items!

Everything is free! Yes, every bit of the day! Be there…

Chris Stearn
BTS Scotland rep

Following a whole week of programmes featuring the trombone a couple of weeks ago, BBC Radio 3 are again putting the instrument to the fore. Artist Focus will have performances from Christian Lindberg at 10.30pm during evenings this week.

Artist Focus: Christian Lindberg
With Petroc Trelawny
Monday 7th May - Thursday 10th May 2007 22:30-23:00 (BBC Radio 3)

Highlights:
Monday - Rimsky-Korsakov Concerto
Tuesday - Frank Martin Ballade
Wednesday - Leopold Mozart Concerto
Thursday - Lindberg conducts Alfven Fest-Overture

Full details