Calling All Spanish Trombonists!

I’ve added one more week of masterclasses to my schedule this summer! I will be in Avila, Spain from 16-20 July at Spaincellence Summer Music Academy. I’ve always found Spanish trombone players to be amongst the most gifted in the world, and so I always relish the opportunity to work with such great potential. The surroundings are conducive to a great week’s learning and fun. For those not from Spain, it’s also to be recommended – you’ll be blown away by the standard down there! For more information and to register, please visit Spaincellence or contact me if I can be of any help.

Announcement:

Well, it’s true – I’ve resigned from the Vienna Philharmonic and the Vienna State Opera effective September 2012. This year is my 30th year as a solo trombone player in orchestras (Halle Orchestra, London Symphony, Vienna Philharmonic). I know many people will think I’m crazy, and to be honest, I do a bit as well! Vienna is a great city, and the Vienna Philharmonic is, in my opinion, the greatest orchestra. But, there comes a time in life when you have to work out what is important, and for me I realize that if I am ever going to get time to play some solos and do a bit of conducting, it’s now. Also, as many of you know, I take my teaching extremely seriously, and I want to devote my time on a regular basis to my students in Bern.

The fact of the matter is that I simply have not had a life now for many years. I’ve been living a double life – one as 1st trombone of the Vienna Philharmonic and one on the road as a soloist and teacher. Not only is it becoming bad for my health, and not only does it mean that I don’t have time for the loved ones around me, but I don’t get the feeling that I give of my best wherever I am when I am stretched so thinly. I have not consistently practiced now for over 10 years, which might surprise a few of you! I have reached the point where I cannot go on any longer with four days’ preparation time for important solo concerts. I am under no illusions that I’m going to be a world-famous soloist or conductor – this is simply a decision to spend my life doing what is important to me and with the people who are important to me. Whilst wishing for a quieter life, I just hope that I get enough opportunity to play, as even after all of these years I still wake up in the morning feeling like the luckiest man in the world, because I get to play the trombone.

Summer Course in Solothurn, Switzerland

Between 22-28 July this year I will be giving an intensive week of teaching and coaching working on orchestral and solo repertoire. This will be in the beautiful town of Solothurn, Switzerland. The course looks like being fantastic with excellent facilitiesm, and the class accompanist will be Katarzyna Wieczorek, who is known to many for her in depth knowledge of the trombone repertoire. Apart from the normal masterclass setup, I also plan to be doing a lot of playing in sections to work on orchestral and ensemble training.

I look forward to seeing you there! Those of you who are interested can go here, where online registration is already available, or if you want any more information, please contact me directly.