FINAL MAG

Recommendations

Info

SPRING 2017 THE TROMBONIST REVIEW BY PETER CHESTER AT SCHOOL WITH MAISIE, OLLIE AND KYLE… BTS events are about many things. Naturally we think of the music, the playing and the listening, but they are also about people and the pleasure of meeting old friends as well as making new ones, all through our love of the trombone. The people element was perhaps particularly strong in Oundle School in November as those stalwarts who attended found themselves in the presence of one of the most celebrated figures in British trombone world from the last 75 years. The event was graced by Maisie Ringham Wiggins MBE, a lady still playing in her tenth decade and in Oundle to collect the Sheila Tracy Award, presented in recognition of a significant contribution by a female player to the world of trombone playing. As the principal trombone of the Hallé Orchestra in 1940s & 50s under Sir John Barbirolli, Maisie was very much a trailblazer in the profession and her long career has been an inspiration to many, both women and men. With typical modesty, Maisie said she was delighted and very humbled by the award, but would only accept it, “on behalf of all female trombonists, everywhere”. The Oundle event is traditionally an occasion for awards, and four were made in absentia, the recipients being unable to attend. They were to Elliot Mason (Player of the Year), Alan Hutt, (Teacher of the Year), Jonny Hollick (Student of the Year), and finally to Michael Rath for his Outstanding Contribution to the World of the Trombone. If November 2016 was celebratory moment for one of our most senior players, it will also be one for at least two student players at the start of their careers, Ollie Martin and Kyle MacCorquodale, and it was very gratifying not only to hear them play, but to see them chatting with Maisie during the day, and no doubt learning from her. Every two years the BTS hosts two competitions, the Don Lusher Jazz Trombone Competition and the Bob Hughes Bass Trombone Competition. Ollie Martin and Kyle MacCorquodale were the respective winners of these competitions on this occasion. It has to be said, however, that no-one present envied the competition judges at all, given the high standard presented by the three competitors for each prize. For the Don Lusher award, we had Lewis Bettles and Richard Leonard from the RCS in Glasgow, and Ollie Martin from the RAM. Each played a Bill Geldard arrangement of Stardust, and introduced a piece of the own choice. For Lewis it was Dark Eyes, for Richard an unaccompanied transcription of a Murray McEachern’s Nobody Knows, and for Ollie it was a particularly cool rendition of Carlos Jobim’s Wave. As one of the judges, Jon Stokes, said, “all played so melodically, in time and in tune, expressing themselves through music”. But there could only be one winner and it turned out to be Ollie, a unanimous decision of the three judges, the other two being Nick Hudson and Cliff Hardie. Ollie’s prize, the Don Lusher Trophy, a new “John Fedchock” XO trombone and Korg performance support, was presented by Don Lusher’s sons, Dave & Phil. The prize was donated by Korg UK, represented on the day by Richard Ashby, who was so impressed with the overall standard that on Korg’s behalf the two other finalists were each given £100 vouchers, so all went away with something. Bob Hughes was present to see the Bass Trombone Competition held in his name. This time the three finalists, Sam Taber, Kyle MacCorquodale and Adam Crichton, each played Ray Premru’s Prelude & Dance, before introducing their own choice pieces. The variety offered illustrated just what is available for the bass trombone these days and what is technically possible. From Sam we had lyricism and agility from an Adagio and Allegro by Robert Schumann; from Adam the sheer wonders of John Kenny’s unaccompanied Sonata for Bass Trombone; from Kyle the exuberance and fun of Derek Bourgois’ Concerto for Bass Trombone. Once again differentiating between such talent 8
was hard, although the panel of Dave Stewart, Dave Vines and Adrian Taylor were unanimous in their selection of Kyle as the eventual winner. Bob Hughes was very pleased to present him with a silver platter, and a Wiseman custom-built carbon fibre case will soon be on the way to the RCS in Glasgow, where Kyle is a student. The muchappreciated accompanist for the day was Anthony Kerr-Dineen. The day of course was not all listening to new talent. Jon Stokes led a very enjoyable session on improvisation in which all participants got their chance to shine – simple really - and the Massed Blow sessions, expertly led by Adrian Taylor, were once more as satisfying as these usually are. Tubas and baritones were even allowed to join in. After all, this was Oundle School where Ben Bouzan and his colleagues sustain a flourishing low brass class of trombones and tubas, and the BTS is nothing if not welcoming! We were treated to some short but deceptively tricky pieces, including a round by Mozart, a modal melody by Tallis, and an Icelandic hymn that few dared pronounce – try Heyr, himna smiour by Porkell Sigurbjornsson. The latter was actually exceedingly atmospheric and suited the voices of the trombones perfectly. And for something completely different we had Pastime with Good Company and an arrangement of Dem Bones by Adrian Taylor, given its world première performance. The day had started with the Society’s AGM, and it has to be said it had one of the lowest attendances on record. Maybe Storm Angus and the weather could be blamed, and the good news is that it became one of the shortest. Snippets of interest to members will be: (i) Geoff Wolmark has been very busy arranging for the BTS Library of ensemble music to be available on-line in the near future. (ii) Nick Hudson has joined the BTS Committee. (iii) some members still have not caught up to paying their correct subscriptions, despite reminders from Chris Sowerby (this really would help our financial position) (iv) reducing the magazine to three annual editions for the present has produced more cash for use in events (although we would like to return to 4 editions per year soon) (v) The magazine can always do with articles and ideas (please don’t hesitate to send them in) It had stopped raining by the end of the day, and those who were at Oundle School went home happy. Thanks to Ben Bouzan for yet again organising a very enjoyable day. As well as playing the trombone, he has a good line in providing sandwiches … Always useful in a BTS organiser… 9
Page 1: SPRING 2017 £5.00 THE TROMBONIST B
Page 5 and 6: WELCOME TO THE SPRING ISSUE OF THE
Page 7: REVIEWS PREVIEWS EVENT NEWS REVIEWS
Page 11 and 12: BLACK DYKE JUNIOR & YOUTH TROMBONES
Page 13 and 14: 13
Page 16 and 17: WINTER 2016 THE TROMBONIST BY JANE
Page 18 and 19: SPRING 2017 THE TROMBONIST BY JANE
Page 20 and 21: SPRING 2017 THE TROMBONIST BY LIAM
Page 22 and 23: BONE THOUGHTS FROM ABROAD CONTINUED
Page 24 and 25: SPRING 2017 THE TROMBONIST EXTRA! E
Page 26 and 27: SPRING 2017 THE TROMBONIST BASS BON
Page 28 and 29: SPRING 2017 THE TROMBONIST Presiden
Page 30 and 31: SPRING 2017 THE TROMBONIST Large mo
Page 32 and 33: SPRING 2017 THE TROMBONIST REVIEWS
Page 34 and 35: Photography courtesy of Betina Skov
Page 36: THE BRITISH TROMOBONE SOCIETY MEMBE

FINAL MAG

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?