News

30-year old trombonist Mark Templeton has recently been appointed Principal Trombone of the London Philharmonic Orchestra. A former student of Eric Crees, Simon Wills and Peter Gane, Templeton has been freelancing in London with the likes of the London Symphony, Philharmonia and Royal Philharmonic Orchestras.

The LPO trombones have had the highlight of recording the Lord of the Rings soundtracks in recent years, but since the closure of the Royal Festival Hall for refurbishment, the orchestra has been concentrating on smaller repertoire and the trombones have been involved less. In the past couple of years, first trombone Lindsay Shilling has moved to the Royal Opera House, and bass trombonist Dave Stewart has left to concentrate on freelance and session work. With the announcement of Mark’s appointment comes the news that second trombone Brian Raby will leave too. This will leave Mark with a chance to build a brand new trombone section and look forward to next summer’s reopening of the Royal Festival Hall.

Mark’s appointment means that the Guildhall School of Music & Drama can now boast that the Principal Trombone post at all five major London symphony orchestras is now held by Guildhall School alumni.

Mark Templeton: Principal Trombone of the London Philharmonic Orchestra
Graham Lee: Principal Trombone of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Byron Fulcher: Principal Trombone of the Philharmonia Orchestra
Helen Vollam: Principal Trombone of the BBC Symphony Orchestra
Dudley Bright: Principal Trombone of the London Symphony Orchestra

The Royal Academy of Music Trombone Choir will be presenting a free lunchtime concert on Friday 16 June.

The RAM Trombone Choir directed by Bob Hughes, who were awarded Runner-up in this year’s Emory Remington Trombone Choir Competition will be featuring music from five centuries. Listeners at Regent Hall will be treated to a feast of classics from the trombone ensemble repertoire.

Friday 16 June
1.00pm
Regent Hall, Oxford Street, London W1
Free, no tickets required

Royal Academy of Music Trombone Choir
Bob Hughes director

This programme, covering five centuries of trombone music, will include:
Gabrieli Canzon Septimi Toni No. 2
Massaino Canzon 33 for eight trombones
Beethoven Drei Equali
Bruckner arr. Sauer Motet: Virga Jesse
Holst arr. Friedman Dance of the Spirits of the Earth from ‘The Perfect Fool’
Derek Bourgeois Scherzo Funèbre

As part of its new initiative to sponsor the work of young people, the Black Dyke Band, and its musical director Nicholas Childs, intend to form a Yorkshire Youth Brass Band with associated young composers. With the goals of inspiring and motivating young people aged 11 – 18 years, Black Dyke are investing in future players and composers.

They will hold three workshops for players who have already achieved Grade 4. Full band rehearsals and sectionals will be given by key members of the Black Dyke Band, including Richard Marshall (cornet), David Thornton (euphonium), and Brett Baker (trombone). The day’s events will include seating auditions and action planning in preparation for the inaugural concert.

* Three days of workshops: 21st May, 25th June and 16th July, 2006 at the Headlingley Campus of Leeds, Metropolitan University.
* Inaugural concert performing with the Black Dyke Band, 16th July, 2006

The cost for each gathering is £10. This reduced price has been made by the generous support of Partners Black Dyke Band, Arts and Business, Breville and Leeds Metropolitan University.
Interested players and composers should contact Alison Childs - further details at the YYBB website.

Hot British brass quintet Onyx Brass has announced that, following the success of three CDs of contemporary music, it will now be recording for top record label Chandos. This is set to improve distribution and marketing of their recordings, making them available to a wider public. In the next eighteen months the group has planned two discs, of which the first will feature fugues by both Bach and Shostakovich.

Chandos has signed several brass groups over the years with releases ranging from Grimethorpe’s Brass from the Masters to Philip McCann’s World’s Most Beautiful Melodies via Centre City Brass’ On the Town Bernstein arrangements.

In addition, Onyx Brass has recently started a relationship with Yamaha, who are sponsoring their residency at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and an annual tour across North America.

The legendary London Symphony Brass (LSO Brass) has played many exciting concerts in the Barbican over the years and after a hiatus of a couple of years, they are back!

Not only have they got a Barbican date in the programme for next year (18 March 2007, details TBA) but they are forming the back-bone for a series of educational concerts in their new chamber venue, LSO St. Lukes. The series starts next week with Patrick Harrild and a tuba ensemble.

LSO Discovery Fridays
Lunchtime Concerts - Summer 2006
LSO St. Lukes
FREE ENTRY - just turn up on the day

Rachel Leach returns this summer to present a series of free lunchtime concerts in the Jerwood Hall at LSO St. Luke’s. They are especially designed to offer an informal introduction to the LSO and music-making. This summer we have a great line up of concerts featuring brass instruments. Doors open at 12pm, with concerts starting at 1pm and lasting for approximately 45 minutes. Light refreshments are available before the concerts in the Crypt Café.

28 April 1pm - Discover the Tuba
with LSO Principal Patrick Harrild and a student tuba ensemble

5 May 1pm - Discover Jazz
with students from the GSMD

26 May 1pm - Discover the Brass Quintet
with students from the GSMD

2 June 1pm - Discover the 10-Piece Brass Ensemble
with members of the LSO

9 June 1pm - Discover Low Brass
with LSO Principal Trombone Dudley Bright and Principal Tuba Patrick Harrild

16 June 1pm - Discovery Family Lunchtime Concert
Rachel Leach will re-tell the children’s story Two Left Feet by Adam Stower (Bloomsbury Paperbacks) with music from an LSO brass quintet. This concert is aimed at children aged under five and their carers, but is open to all.

Please note that concerts are subject to change.