The Guildhall Trombone Ensemble will be flying the flag for the trombone during a series of ‘endangered species’ lunchtime concerts at LSO St Lukes, London.

LSO Discovery Fridays: lunchtime concert
“Endangered Species: Trombone”

2 Nov 2007, 12:30 PM
LSO St Luke’s, Old Street, London

Guildhall Trombone Ensemble
Rachel Leach presenter
Tickets: Free

Full details on the LSO website

Maxim Vengerov has hurt his shoulder, so to join up with the LSO in the late night BBC Prom this Saturday will be the 60-strong Venezuelan Brass Ensemble.

Yesterday’s announcement accompanies the South American flavoured programme. The concert follows on from a highly successful day of brass concerts at the BBC Proms on 28th July.

BBC Prom 47: London Symphony Orchestra and Venezuelan Brass Ensemble
Saturday 18th August 2007, 10.15pm
Royal Albert Hall

Simon Wills spoke about the early trombone on BBC Radio 3’s Early Music Show last June. For those that missed it, due to a rebroadcast today, it will be available to hear on-line for the next seven days.

Lucie Skeaping looks at the history of the sackbut and its use as an ensemble instrument in Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries. Music includes pieces by Monteverdi, Gabrieli, Lassus, Scheidt and Locke. Andrew Gourlay visits the home of trombonist and sackbut player Simon Wills for a potted history and demonstration of the instrument.

Free improvising trombonist Paul Rutherford has died aged 67. The Guardian remembered him on Friday in a full page obituary.

Among the more cherishable incidents from the early history of this music occurred on the night Rutherford announced that he would be performing Luciano Berio’s Sequenza V. On concluding, he was approached by a listener who remarked that he had never heard the work so well performed. Rutherford was able to tell him that, after sticking to the score for the first couple of minutes, he had improvised the rest.

Chris Houlding is set to take up a Professorship at the Folkwang Hochschule in Essen, Germany. The position includes trombone teaching, brass ensemble coaching and conducting, and starts this October.

He intends to continue as Principal Trombone at Opera North and Senior Tutor in Brass at the RNCM for the time being, but with a view to becoming resident in Germany in the future.

After many years of sterling work for the BTS, including serving as President, Chris is resigning the role of North Region Representative and applications for this important role are invited. Interested parties please contact Geoff Wolmark.