Former Yorkshire Building Society Band trombonist Alan Carr is to play with Dodworth MW Band at Butlins 2012 - his first brass band performance for 12 years.
Now a freelance trombonist and brass teacher living in Sheffield, his last brass band performance was in December 1999 with YBS. Alan's last contest performance was at the 1999 British Open with DUT Rothwell, playing Philip Wilby's Dove Descending. "I remember playing number 1, some kind of solo stood away from the band and little else" laughed Alan.
This time, it will be a reminder of his childhood, and his former days as a member of the Sun Life (Stanshawe) Band. The test piece for Butlins is Granville Bantock's "Frogs of Aristophanes", which Stanshawe recorded in 1974 and Alan still owns the original LP.
Monday, 21 November 2011
Sunday, 20 November 2011
Is There A Shortage Of Trombonists?
I've just been catching up with the results from the Brass in Concert championship held at Gateshead earlier today and the first thing I must say is congratulations to Danny Brooks of the winning Leyland Band for also winning the Don Lusher Trombone Award.
After reading the results, I began looking at the classified ads for player vacancies and it struck me so many bands have at least one trombone vacancy, with a number of bands needing two trombones to make up a section.
It's maybe a sad fact of life that less young people want to learn an instrument nowadays, but I hadn't realised the trombone was in so much danger of becoming an endangered species in the UK.
Heres to hoping a shortage of trombonists wont turn into extinction a number of years down the road.
After reading the results, I began looking at the classified ads for player vacancies and it struck me so many bands have at least one trombone vacancy, with a number of bands needing two trombones to make up a section.
It's maybe a sad fact of life that less young people want to learn an instrument nowadays, but I hadn't realised the trombone was in so much danger of becoming an endangered species in the UK.
Heres to hoping a shortage of trombonists wont turn into extinction a number of years down the road.
Thursday, 17 November 2011
Is the Bremner Trombone sshhmute just what I need?
Sometimes brass players find it difficult to practice for a variety of reasons. I have a neighbour, a 2 year old and many other factors that affect my trombone practice schedule. In fact, for some time, I have been utilising a number of rooms & studios where I can get uninterupted practice.
However, that could be about to change! After seeing a conversation on twitter yesterday between Roger Argente and Andy Deverux, not to mention a personal recommendation from John Barber, Principal Trombone of the Fodens Band, I had to look up the Bremner trombone sshhmute to see what I was missing.
Everything looks great for the travelling trombonist - the weight is light, strong abs so won't dent, fits in the bell, so should fit most cases and the list goes on and on.
Now I have heard about the legendary cornet playing of Trever Bremner from my old teacher and friend David King, so I'm happy that Bremner would only put his name to a great product, but when you read the list of other professonals that are using Bremner sshhmutes, it really is a no brainer.
The list of endorsements starts, Christian Lindberg, Philip Smith and Alison Balsom, and continues through a list of great brass players.
Suitably convinced, I'll be ordering my Bremner trombone sshhmute and that will ease the difficulty in finding somewhere convenient for my trombone practice. I'll be sure to let you know.
However, that could be about to change! After seeing a conversation on twitter yesterday between Roger Argente and Andy Deverux, not to mention a personal recommendation from John Barber, Principal Trombone of the Fodens Band, I had to look up the Bremner trombone sshhmute to see what I was missing.
Everything looks great for the travelling trombonist - the weight is light, strong abs so won't dent, fits in the bell, so should fit most cases and the list goes on and on.
Now I have heard about the legendary cornet playing of Trever Bremner from my old teacher and friend David King, so I'm happy that Bremner would only put his name to a great product, but when you read the list of other professonals that are using Bremner sshhmutes, it really is a no brainer.
The list of endorsements starts, Christian Lindberg, Philip Smith and Alison Balsom, and continues through a list of great brass players.
Suitably convinced, I'll be ordering my Bremner trombone sshhmute and that will ease the difficulty in finding somewhere convenient for my trombone practice. I'll be sure to let you know.
Tuesday, 15 November 2011
Steel City Bones Live In Doncaster 24th Nov 2011
Doncaster Conservative Club will host Steel City Bones on Thursday 24th November 2011 and despite my own busy schedule, this is one gig i'm really looking forward to.
Lead by Sheffield born jazz trombonist Lee Hallam, five leading jazz, big band and swing trombonists will perform at the club which is at 22 South Parade Doncaster DN1 2DJ.
The line up is as follows: Lee Hallam, Stuart Garside, Danny Hammerton and Matt Ball - trombones. Dave Pearce - Bass Trombone, Andy Dressler - Piano/keyboards, Derrick Harris - Guitar, Paul Baxter - Bass and Pete Fairclough - Drums.
Doors open at 7.30pm, with playing starting at 8.30. Tickets from the Box office at 01302 349898 (Jazz Info) are a very reasonable £5, so do get yourself there and enjoy some fine jazz trombone playing.
Lead by Sheffield born jazz trombonist Lee Hallam, five leading jazz, big band and swing trombonists will perform at the club which is at 22 South Parade Doncaster DN1 2DJ.
The line up is as follows: Lee Hallam, Stuart Garside, Danny Hammerton and Matt Ball - trombones. Dave Pearce - Bass Trombone, Andy Dressler - Piano/keyboards, Derrick Harris - Guitar, Paul Baxter - Bass and Pete Fairclough - Drums.
Doors open at 7.30pm, with playing starting at 8.30. Tickets from the Box office at 01302 349898 (Jazz Info) are a very reasonable £5, so do get yourself there and enjoy some fine jazz trombone playing.
Monday, 14 November 2011
Wedding Arrangements For Brass Quintet
After a busy day teaching brass in Sheffield, it's now time to settle down with a huge list of wedding music that I'm arranging for brass quintet ready for a busy wedding season in 2012. I may well publish these, so watch this space for details on any arrangements that are published.
And it goes without saying to watch this space if you are interested in booking a brass quintet (or larger brass chamber ensemble) for your forthcoming wedding in 2012. I will soon put contact details and more information as things get underway.
Back to work ...
And it goes without saying to watch this space if you are interested in booking a brass quintet (or larger brass chamber ensemble) for your forthcoming wedding in 2012. I will soon put contact details and more information as things get underway.
Back to work ...
Friday, 11 November 2011
Welcome
Hi All :-)
So this is my new blog which will hopefully be a way to communicate details of forthcoming gigs, recordings and the usual info.
Things are pretty busy right now, so please give it a little time to develop. There is a new web site in the making and various other projects on the go.
Thanks for visiting and let's see how this develops in coming months.
Alan Carr
Trombone & Teacher In Sheffield UK
So this is my new blog which will hopefully be a way to communicate details of forthcoming gigs, recordings and the usual info.
Things are pretty busy right now, so please give it a little time to develop. There is a new web site in the making and various other projects on the go.
Thanks for visiting and let's see how this develops in coming months.
Alan Carr
Trombone & Teacher In Sheffield UK
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