Daily Mail columnist and trombonist Jane Fryer writes in the Saturday 22 December edition of the Daily Mail (We’re running out of brass) about the state of brass band funding.

Last week it emerged that over the past five years, Britain’s brass bands have received just £987,000 in Arts Council grants compared with the staggering £276 million given to opera.

“That’s the trouble,” says Chris Barrett, band chairman, solo trombone and retired greengrocer. “Opera wouldn’t carry on without money, but the band - or this band, at least - will always play on.

“We always have and we always will, because banding runs in families - in the blood.”

The article gives a portrait of the thriving spirit of Farnworth and Walkden Brass Band and how it fundraises in other ways to enable them to make music together and perform in the community.

On Sunday 24th February 2008 the BTS, with the support of the Royal Academy of Music, are pleased to present an exciting day of trombone playing and workshops featuring the trombones of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra plus other distinguished guests.

Coffee and registration is at 10.30am. The morning’s activities will kick off at 11am with a trombone choir under the direction of Denis Wick. The afternoon programme will feature a class with Gordon Campbell (BBC Big Band), an interview with Denis Wick hosted by Ian Bousfield, followed by an orchestral performance workshop with the trombones of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.

At 7.30pm in the Duke’s Hall of the RAM, the Vienna Philharmonic Trombones - Ian Bousfield, Hans Ströcker, Jeremy Wilson and Mark Gaal - will give an hour’s performance of trombone quartet music.

There will be trade stands for you to try out new instruments and equipment, plus the opportunity to buy music and CDs.

Tickets for the daytime events will be limited (max 110). To get your ticket, contact the BTS secretary, Geoff Wolmark, preferably by email: secretary@britishtrombonesociety.org or tel: 01377 202209. Entry for the day is free to BTS members or £10 for non-members.

Top trombone soloists will once again be featured in January’s RNCM Festival of Brass.

Mark Frost will be stepping into the spotlight in a world premiere of Spooks, an outrage for bass trombone and ensemble by Elgar Howarth. The piece has been commissioned for the festival by a consortium led by the RNCM and the Brass Band Heritage Trust, and promises to be most entertaining.

Brett Baker will also be giving the concert premiere of Knightmare by Derek Bourgeois.

In the Cory Band’s concert, Chris Thomas will feature in an old favourite: Sparke’s Year of the Dragon.

All concerts take place at the Royal Northern College of Music 25-27 January 2008. Tickets and more information from the RNCM.

The Guardian has a review of Dennis Rollins’ Badbone & Co who were at Ronnie Scott’s jazz club this week.

The impressive young team make Rollins’ brass-led brand of funk-jazz sound effortless.

Reviewer John Walters awards him four stars for his entertainment and “bad-ass riffs” (20/12/07).

In addition, the Evening Standard’s Jack Masserick described:

Rollins making trombone sexy”

Byron Fulcher and Christian Jones now appear on a video Christmas Card. The Philharmonia Orchestra trombonists perform in three brass carols, viewable by all on the Internet. Festive trombonists are encouraged to check them out on the Philharmonia website.

The RNCM Big Band will be appearing with top British jazz trombonist Mark Nightingale this January.

Tuesday 22 January 2008 7.30pm
Bruntwood Theatre, RNCM, Manchester, UK
Tickets £15.50-£10.50 and more information from the RNCM

The BTS Executive Board is pleased to announce the appointment of several new faces to the running of the Society.

David Carnac has become Treasurer, as Matt Parry takes on the role of Advertising Manager for the magazine following five years of sterling service looking after the BTS finances.

Derrick Parker has taken on the position of Membership Manager, following on from Steve Greenall who is serving as Executive Director for the ITA.

This year it’s all change for Regional Representatives in the North and Midlands, following the departure of Chris Houlding for Germany and conclusion of BTS work by Simon Hogg. Richard Walker takes over as the West Midlands rep, John Ingman becomes our first North East and Yorkshire rep, and Gareth Westwood will take on the North West Region. Richard, John and Gareth will work closely with Andrew Berryman who becomes the North and Midlands Co-ordinator.

The BTS magazine will be featuring profiles of the new officers and regional representatives to introduce them to members. Members should not hesitate to get in touch with regional representatives about trombone days and any other events of interest. Please see the full list of reps for contact information.

This weekend sees a very special radio broadcast called Global Bones, available to listen to live on the Internet. Chats with top trombonists Ian Bousfield, Dennis Rollins, Denis Wick, Simon Wills, Chris Houlding, Sheila Tracey and Andrew Berryman will cover a wide range of topics. There will be coverage of the BTS October event at Oundle, and Suffolk-based trombone ensemble Diss-Located Bones will be playing live in the studio. The event is hosted by Norfolk-based bass trombonist and Wayland Radio presenter Dave Scragg.

Topics for studio discussion include Focal Dystonia (a condition which has troubled and in some cases ended the careers of many great players), the use of the alto trombone as a teaching aid for younger players and reflections on the standard of today’s students. There will also be a few surprises!

The broadcast takes place this Sunday, December 9th at 1200 GMT and again at 1900 hrs GMT (1400 EST US). You can send messages to the team using the website during broadcast. It will also be available to download shortly after the event.

Full details at the Global Bones website.

First Hour 12:00 - 13:00 GMT

Ian Bousfield, on how he took up the trombone and entering the profession.
Chris Houlding - taking up a teaching post in Germany.
Simon Wills - Serendipitous beginnings.
Diss-Located Bones - live performance (if they’ve finished the milking!!).
Denis Wick - Early days in the business.
Studio discussion - use of the alto trombone in teaching.

Second Hour 13:00 - 14:00 GMT

30-minute feature on Focal Dystonia, with Andy Berryman, Bob Hughes, Denis Wick and Chris Houlding.
Studio discussion on Focal Dystonia. Denis Wick - The “Star Wars phenomenon” and working with the LSO.
Diss-Located Bones - live performance.
Denis Wick - on styles of playing.

Third Hour 14:00 - 15:00 GMT

Dennis Rollins - Jazz influences and his collaboration with Rath Trombones.
Simon Wills - giving good advice to Christian Lindberg, or not as the case may be!!
British Trombone Society Day at Oundle.
Chris Houlding - on the standard of today’s students.
Ian Bousfield - relaxation & leisure pursuits (What’s he doing to that chicken?!).
Denis Wick - on the lighter side of things.