An exhibition of trombones is now being displayed in Edinburgh for the summer. Sackbut and Trombone explores the long history of the trombone and how it came to be as it is now. See an impressive display of instruments ranging from th 1594 to 1999 - from tiny treble to colossal contrabass - from the historically important to the (frankly) bizarre.

The exhibition has been put together by Professor Arnold Myers at the Edinburgh University Collection of Historic Musical Instruments and features at the Historic Brass Society Conference later this month. The exhibition is open free to the public now until 26th September, but be sure to check the opening times.

Sackbut and Trombone - exhibition
26 May - 26 September 2009
Reid Concert Hall Museum of Instruments
Bristo Square, Edinburgh
Open to the public twice weekly: Saturday 10:00-13:00 and Wednesday 15:00-17:00. The museum is also open for the period of the Edinburgh International and Fringe Festivals (10 August - 5 September 2009) Monday to Friday 14:00-17:00.
FREE entrance.

Full details here: trombone exhibition flyer (300KB PDF).

• All the best Maynard Ferguson tour stories from his lead trombonist Steve Wiest 
• Nick Hudson sends us a postcard about his new life in Abu Dhabi
• RSNO special - researching the trombonists back to 1860, including one "Gustav von Holst"
• John Kenny keeps a diary of his month-lone American solo tour
• Dennis Rollins reveals his all-time favourite tracks
• News of the vintage crop of BTS trombone days all over the country this year
• Interview with Alwyn Green on his retirement from the CBSO
• Denis Wick's new Heritage mouthpieces and a debut CD release from young Swedish sensation Håkan Björkman are given the verdict

Mark Nightingale and Alistair White will be headlining at Wigan Jazz Festival next month in a trio of jazz concerts. Nightingale leads his big band which includes an all star trombone section of Gordon Campbell, Andy Wood, Richard Edwards and John Higginbotham. Alastair White is guest soloist with the Doncaster Youth Jazz Orchestra and the pair of top jazz trombonists will get together in a lunchtime concert to recreate the famous duets of Kai Winding and JJ Johnson.

15th July 2009, 8pm
Mark Nightingale Big Band
JJB Stadium, Loire Drive, Robin park, Wigan, UK

16th July 2009, 1pm
Mark Nightingale and Alistair White – The Sound of Kai & JJ
Wigan Cricket Club, Bull Hey Parson’s Walk, Wigan

16th July 2009, 8pm
Doncaster Youth Jazz Orchestra with guest soloist Alistair White
JJB Stadium, Loire Drive, Robin park, Wigan

Full details of the festival see the Wigan Jazz Festival website.

Sunday 5th July 2009, 10am–6pm
The Concert Room, Department of Music, Palace Green, Durham City Centre, DH1 3RL (by the cathedral)

Simon Johnson (BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra)
Leyland Band Trombone Quartet
Brett Baker & Garry Reid (Black Dyke) 
James Stretton (Orichalcum, World of Brass)

Massed blow • opportunities to play solos with Fenella Hawarth-Smith, a fantastic piano accompanist • local young players will have a platform to play solos and quartets to professional players • 5pm performance as part of Durham Musical Festival.

FREE to BTS Members. £6 for non-members or join on the day.

10.00am    Registration
10.30    Massed blow 1
11.00    Break
11.30    Workshop: Brett Baker on sound, technique, breathing
12.00    James Stretton: playing several brass instruments
12.30    Lunch
1.30pm    Massed blow 2
2.30    Durham quartet and young players recital
3.00    Guest Artist recital with Simon Johnson
3.30    Massed Blow 3
5.00    Performance in Durham Square

Accommodation available at Hatfield College for £28.50 per night. Contact: Alison Lister, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it / 01740 622849 / 07860 818845

Please register your interest with This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Sunday 21st June 10.30am–6pm, Royal Academy of Music, Marylebone Road, London, NW1 5HT

Bones Apart • London Brass Trombones • Denis Wick
Gordon Campbell • RAM Trombone Choir

The day will include the chance to take part in a massed trombone choir, sit in on ensemble workshops, and the chance to hear some of the UK’s top players in action.

There will be trade stands present on the day with a selection of instruments, accessories, music and CDs.

FREE to BTS Members. £10 for non-members or join on the day.

10.30am    Registration and coffee
11.00    Massed Trombone Choir directed by Bob Hughes
12.00    Coffee
12.25    RAM Trombone Choir with Gordon Campbell
1.00pm    Lunch
2.00    Ensembles from Wells Cathedral School and Chethams School of Music in open workshops with members of Bones Apart and London Brass Trombones
3.00    Presentation and discussion with Denis Wick
3.35    Tea
4.00    Recital by Bones Apart and London Brass Trombones
5.15    Massed Trombone Choir

Please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   for further details and to register interest.

Download a map here.

Norfolk-based trombonist and local radio presenter Dave Scragg has followed up the Global Bones radio broadcast 18 months-ago with a filmed investigation into Focal Dystonia. He interviews some British trombonist sufferers and Madrid-based Joaquin Fabra who has been treating them.

The condition only affects a tiny fraction of musicians, but with trombonists it can lead to serious embouchure dysfunction in sufferers.

The videos are viewable at Dave Scragg's Youtube channel.

Celebrating their 125th anniversary next month, Welsh brass band Cory will perform a special concert at St David's Hall, Cardiff. The European Champions are joined by American jazz trombonist Wycliffe Gordon and the Morriston Orpheus Male Voice Choir and the gala will also include new pieces commissioned for the occasion.

Cory Band 125th Anniversary Concert
"Brass and Voice ...... and all that JAZZ"
20th June 2009, 7.30pm
St David's Hall, Cardiff, Wales
Box Office 029 2087 8444 / stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk

Wycliffe Gordon jazz trombone
Morriston Orpheus Male Choir
BBC Roy Noble presenter
Robert Childs conductor
Cory Band

The British Trombone Society is pleased to announce a partnership with the Black Dyke Band Brass Arts Festival on 31 May 2009.

Within the Festival, the BTS will hold a massed blow, composers' collective and workshop, as well as an opportunity to visit trade stands.

Registration takes place at 10.30am at the Albert Room in Leeds Town Hall in the centre of Leeds. A warm-up will take place at 10.45am led by Brett Baker, BTS Vice President. At 11.00am Bob Hughes, BTS President, will rehearse the ensemble in two works to be performed in the afternoon concert with Black Dyke Band at 3.00pm.

At 12.45pm, trombonists will have an opportunity to listen to a composers' collective involving the playing of new trombone works including pieces that were composed especially for the 2008 BTS Composers' Competition, as well as guest soloists performing new pieces for trombone; the Black Dyke Trombone Quartet will also perform.

There will then be a further opportunity for a rehearsal of the trombone choir before the concert at 3.00pm.

The morning workshop and afternoon concert are free of charge to BTS members.

BTS/ RSAMD Trombone Day
Sunday 7th June 2009

We have a fantastic FREE event for BTS members on 7th June at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow. The day features professional trombone groups Slide Effect and Tone, the student trombone ensemble of the RSAMD and special masterclasses with Simon Johnson and John Kenny.

A key feature of the afternoon will be an open discussion forum on teaching and playing, featuring Simon Johnson, Lance Green and John Kenny, chaired by Chris Stearn.

There will be a chance to join in a massed trombone blow featuring new arrangements from Mitre Music and a display of trombones to buy from Band Supplies.

There is an evening concert by the Scottish National Wind Orchestra which will feature a trombone solo played by RSNO principal trombone Davur Magnusson. Tickets available from the RSAMD.

Sunday 7th June 2009, 1.00pm - 6.30pm
Guinness Room of the RSAMD

Contact: Chris Stearn This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Wycliffe Gordon is in Cardiff 17-20 June with the Brass Band of Battle Creek and Cory Band, and whilst he is there he will be giving a masterclass for the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama students.

The RWCMD Brass Ensemble will be performing a concert featuring the well-known Pictures at an Exhibition arrangement on 8th June.

Young brass players that fancy finding out more about becoming a student at the college should bring their instrument to their open day on 30th June. Full details to be on the RWCMD website.

• Monday 8 June 1930, RWCMD Brass ensemble at Llandaff Cathedral - Pictures at an Exhibition (Arr. Howarth)
• Friday 19 June, 1100-1400 St Teilo’s Church, Woodville road Cardiff - Wycliffe Gordon master class
• Tuesday 30 June, RWCMD brass open day (details on RWCMD website)-bring your trombone!