Brass Classics

20/10/2017

A great opportunity for serious brass band players. A superb initiative...

Would you like to work on your playing with some of the biggest names in the classical and brass band world?

Would you like to perform at the Whit Friday Marches near Saddleworth?

Would you like to perform in an historic venue in Gretna, Scotland?

How about a great musical holiday with like-minded people in glorious locations and excellent food and accommodation?

English Brass Academy will be offering an exclusive event (min age 18 years) focussed around the Whit Friday Marches competition http://whitfriday.brassbands.saddleworth.org/intro.html from Tuesday May 22nd to Friday May 25th inclusive.

Consisting of rehearsals, performance workshops, a concert in the Anvil Hall, Gretna http://www.anvilhall.co.uk and a day competing in the competition near Saddleworth the event is based in the beautiful surroundings of Dumfriesshire, Yorkshire and Lancashire. Tutors will be world class instrumentalists and teachers.

Accommodation, food and rehearsal venue will be at The Pofoot Hotel http://thepowfoothotel.com situated along the picturesque Solway coastline with stunning views over the Lakeland hills with a few places available at a beautiful country estate in Murraythwaite near Lockerbie.

If this sounds like a great musical holiday and a chance to take on board some top advice from leading players then please complete our survey below. There will be 24 places available based on the usual brass band layout so please register your interest as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/PQGPMQ5

20/01/2017

Look like a great opportunity for brass players in the South East region. Get your application in quick.....

Regent Brass has a few vacancies and I'd be delighted to hear from you if you're interested in learning more about our plans. Some information here....
http://www.paularchibald.co.uk/news/Regent-Brass-Vacancies

10/01/2017

Morning Brew on RTHK Radio 3 Hong Kong

Morning Brew on RTHK Radio 3 Hong Kong

Live music and trumpet chat with Chris Moyse and the one and only Paul Archibald, from the English Brass Academy

07/11/2015

Paul Archibald

New EBacc plans announced

The Government has announced its plans for a new school league table which excludes creative subjects.

The new English Baccalaureate (or ‘EBacc’) would become a headline league table for schools, and would also be given a bigger role in Ofsted inspections according to plans announced in a speech on Tuesday (3 November) by the Secretary of State for Education Nicky Morgan. The proposed plan is for at least 90% of pupils to take the EBacc, making it all but compulsory for many pupils.

This new EBacc requires pupils to study a minimum of seven GCSEs, but includes no creative subjects. This risks forcing art, dance, design, drama and music and other creative subjects out of schools.

It is important that everyone is aware of the Department for Education’s plans and about the impact this could have on the arts and creativity in schools.

A campaign to highlight this impact has been covered in the Evening Standard, The Stage, Music Week and Design Week and has received support from Robert Lindsay, Arlene Phillips CBE and many, many more high profile artists, actors, musicians and designers.

Your support is needed to make sure as many people as possible sign-up to the campaign and get involved with the consultation.

Back in 2013 the Government was persuaded to change its plans and properly value the arts. With your support this can happen again. Please, tell your friends about the new proposals and help save creative subjects in schools.

It is easy for you and your friends to join the campaign today online at www.baccforthefuture.com/sign-the-petition.html

20/10/2015

Paul Archibald

If you're looking for the opportunity to play in a friendly but ambitious brass band then Regent Community Brass is the band for you! They're based in Wembley and have a few vacancies for players in the following positions:-

2nd Euphonium
Eb Bass
Percussion X 2

The band is part of the Regent organisation, a registered charity, that includes the top flight championship section band, Regent Brass

For more information for about these positions or if you are interested in being part of our organisation please contact [email protected] or send me a direct message.

02/12/2014

Paul Archibald

This will be a fabulous concert...

Fibonacci Sequence - 20th Birthday Concert

Sunday, 7 December 2014 - 6:30pm / Hall One

Copland Quiet City for trumpet, cor anglais and string quintet
Mozart Adagio for cor anglais and strings, K.580a
Wallfisch An Eternal Window for voice, strings and piano
Schulhoff Duo for violin and cello
Saint-Saëns Septet in E flat for trumpet, strings and piano, Op. 65

The Fibonacci Sequence has an impressive line up of players and I'm really looking forward to joining them to play Copland's Quiet City and the querky offering by Saint Saens - his Septet for string quintet, piano and trumpet.

It's the 20th anniversary of the group and Kings Place is the perfect setting for this repertoire - a typical exotic mix of well-known and unusual music from the Fibs founder and artistic director, Kathron Sturrock

There are more details and booking options on the Kings Place website so just follow this link:

http://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on-book-tickets/music/lcms-fibonacci-sequence-20th-birthday-concert

If you can make it to the concert do come and say hello. It'll be great to see you there....

09/08/2014

Busina Brass Quintet

Don't miss one of Europe's top brass quintets. It's happening on Thursday August 14th at the Maidment Auditorium, Shrewsbury School. It'll be a great event...

Busina Brass Quintet is one of Europe's finest brass ensembles, its members - from Croatia, Serbia and Hungary - hold principal positions in leading orchestras. The concert they will perform at Shrewsbury School will be diverse and entertaining including original works, popular renaissance and baroq…

23/07/2014

Busina Brass Quintet

Busina Brass Quintet

11/06/2014

English Brass Academy

This coming Saturday sees the final concert of the series that Jon Hopes, trombonist extraordinaire and English Brass Academy tutor, has been planning in Weston-super-Mare.

The performance features the Bristol Brass Consort and it's an interesting evening of music with works by Bach, Warlock and items written and arranged for the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble

The concert is on Saturday June 14th 2014 at the Boulevard United Reformed Church, Waterloo Street, Weston-super-Mare. Tickets cost £10 and £8 (Conc.) and are available from www.inspiredconcerts.com/tickets.

17/05/2014

Paul Archibald

My Year As A Euphonium Player

There’s no doubt about it, David Thornton can certainly play the euphonium. His CV is as impressive as it gets and you can check him out on youtube and CDs. You’ll be impressed. Funnily enough, I played euphonium for a year when I was a kid.

Now, let’s be honest, my band at the time, Parkhead Citadel Salvation Army Band was no Black D**e or Brighouse & Rastrick but we could hack out a neat and tidy march such as Star Lake or even fumble our way through Treasures from Tchaikovsky. It wasn’t the music that was the problem, it was whether the band survived playing an open air service each Sunday in what was just about the roughest.. http://wp.me/p1KhyO-1S

Brass Band Boot Camp June 6-8 2014.

• English Brass Academy
• Brass Band Boot Camp June 6-8 2014
• Putney High School, London
• englishbrassacademy.co.uk

13/05/2014

Paul Archibald

Brass Band Boot Camp June 6-8 2014. Some thoughts...

• English Brass Academy
• Brass Band Boot Camp June 6-8 2014
• Putney High School, London

Organising the Brass Band Boot Camp course, working alongside Sheona White (tenor horn) for English Brass Academy has made me think. Having started life as a tenor horn player at the age of 5 in Lye Citadel YP Band too may years ago I willingly immersed myself into the life of the ‘bander’... http://wp.me/p1KhyO-1J

07/05/2014

Paul Archibald

Regent Brass

• Championship section band based in north London
• Musical Director: Paul Archibald
• Rehearsal: Thursday evening 8-10pm (occasional Monday evenings, nearest tube Preston Road),

Principal Players required:

• Flugel Horn
• BBb Bass

The Band

• friendy, community-based organisation developing its portfolio of concerts and tours for 2014/2015
• participates in championship level contests throughout the UK
• energetic and dynamic, performing a large cross-section of repertoire
• 5 times winner of the London & Southern Counties Area Contest
• 9 appearances at the National Finals of Great Britain
• ranked regularly among the top 100 bands across the globe
• associated band, Regent Community Brass
• well-organised

More details: contact [email protected]

28/04/2014

Paul Archibald

I've been principal trumpet of the London Mozart Players for 18 years and I'm delighted that we're now celebrating a new initiative - it is the first UK chamber orchestra to be player-led - and its members are now taking an active and enthusiastic role in developing innovative and creative projects.

Our team of players have been working hard since the new company, London Mozart Players Orchestra Ltd, took over the operational side of the orchestra. Martin Smith: 1st Violin, David Angel: Sub-Principal 2nd Violin, Anna de Bruin: 1st Violin, Sebastian Comberti: Principal Cello, Julia Desbruslais: Sub-Principal Cello, Gareth Hulse: Principal Oboe, Peter Wright: Sub-Principal Trumpet, Ian White Principal Trombone, Ben Hoffnung: Principal Timpani and I are developing some great projects for the future. Here are a few of them:

• Gala fundraising concert at the home of Sir Vernon Ellis, Chair of The British Council

• Gala fundraisng event at Buckingham Palace in collaboration with the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme

• New London Mozart Players website at lmp.org

• Tour of China May 2014

• An ACE / Croydon Council / Portsmouth Grammar School funded new commission from Jonathon Dove

• Lunchtime concerts with Howard Shelley at St John's Smith Square 2014 / 2015

• Evening performances at St John's Smith Square 2014 / 2015

• Sunday afternoon series of chamber concerts in the Fairfield Halls in collaboration with the Friends of the London Mozart Players 2014 / 2015

• New initiatives and collaborations with Sutton Arts

• More recordings during 2014

• Exciting new partnerships with promoters, festivals and venues planned for 2015

• New collaborations with conductors and concert agencies

• Closer links with leaders within the business community

• New initiatives in collaboration with St Martin-in-the Fields 2015

• Development of community and education projects in the South East

We have great support from Viv Davies, David Wilson, Jenny Brady and Martin Saregeson who help us steer the orchestra strategically and administratively and our offices are still based at the Fairfield Halls in Croydon. The Friends of LMP are committed and passionate about the orchestra and we have the support and good wishes of many professional colleagues. It's a great time to be in the orchestra. It's playing well, morale is upbeat and there are exciting times ahead.

Take a look at our new website - it really is quite beautiful - and I hope you'll show your support by liking my post. I know all the orchestra will appreciate it...
lmp.org

23/04/2014

Paul Archibald

Enjoyed talking about English Brass Academy projects and Regent Brass on http://www.brassbandradiotalklive.com/ this evening. A fun programme for all brass enthusiasts

15/04/2014

English Brass Academy

Paul Archibald invites you to perform with him in one of the most beautiful locations in the world. Lush meadows, glorious tranquility and imposing mountain vistas is what an alpine summer in Salzburg is all about. One of the world's most renowned cultural regions and home to the famous Salzburg Festival our concerts will be part of the many cultural events that have drawn Austrian and international visitors to SalzburgerLand for decades.

English Brass Academy is collaborating with Musikhaus Martin und Christian Lechner GmbH to create a concert tour for adult brass players (minimum age 16+) in the region of Salzburg, performing in historic churches in idyllic surroundings. Rehearsals will take place in the Musikum Bischofshofen and the accommodation is in traditional hotels situated in the centre of the town, near all amenities and close to the rehearsal venue. There will also be a guided tour of the Lechner workshops to see the instruments being made.

Musicians from outside the UK will be invited to perform and the week will be a great opportunity to meet and play with fellow brass players from across Europe. This tour is the perfect way to make friends with like-minded brass players as socialising will be an important part of the itinerary!

For more information please go to:
englishbrassacademy.co.uk

04/04/2014

English Brass Academy

With just over a week to go there are still a few places left for a great few days of brass playing at Wellington School, Somerset.

You can sign up for the 4-day course, or use the online flexi-day booking system to decide when you want to come.

The Open Day is on Tuesday, April 15 2014 and is a perfect way to come and see what we do.

Need to learn more about music theory? We have specially-written material delivered by excellent tutors to help learn the important essentials. Flexi-day booking also available online.

More details at englishbrassacademy.co.uk

01/04/2014

Paul Archibald

Nothing to do over Easter? Come and join us for a fabulous course of brass playing or top up your knowledge of music theory at Wellington School, Somerset from April 14-17 2014.

Book online now at englishbrassacademy.co.uk

15/02/2014

Paul Archibald

Only 3 days to go before the English Brass Academy course at Putney High School. This is our first course held in central London and I'm really excited about the collaboration we are developing with one of London's finest schools.

Our course is a lovely mix of ensemble playing, creative workshops, productive practice and technique development and, importantly, discussions about how to cope with examinations and performances in the future.

We have some very experienced tutors on board and the pastoral care will, as always, be overseen by our course 'mum' and qualified Nurse Practitioner, Eileen Carney-Jones.

I still have a few places available for the 3 Day course which takes place from Tuesday February 18 - Thursday February 20. If you can't make the full 3 Day course then the Open Day on Wednesday February 19 is an ideal option for a 'taster' course.

More details can be found at www.englishbrassacademy.co.uk or call me on 01306 508060. I'll be pleased to hear from you - Paul Archibald

25/01/2014

LMP concert promotion

LMP concert promotion

London Mozart Players Concerts January 2014

19/01/2014

English Brass Academy

Putney High School - Monday February 17 - Friday February 21 2014

Need your Grade 5 Theory?

Enjoy a fun-filled week and take the strain out of Grade 5 Music Theory.

To progress to Grade 6 on any instrument with the Associated Board you need to achieve Grade 5 Theory. Julie Edwards, Director of Music at Beechwood Park School will deliver a fun-filled week of music — culminating in a theory examination at the end of the course. Grade 5 theory can be a bit of a chore, but not with this exciting week of music and music theory. Through a series of fun exercises, students will learn:-

• Examination Techniques
• Short Score & Open Score
• Tonality
• Scales and Modes
• Transposition
• Intervals
• Ornaments
• Harmony
• Cadences
• Musical Vocabulary
• Practice Papers
• Clefs

The course is being held at the same time as the English Brass Academy's Brass courses and students will mix during breaks and activity sessions. The course includes:

• All tuition
• Morning refreshments
• All lunches
• Afternoon refreshments
• An activity sessin each day
• All course work and final examination

Click here to book online
http://www.englishbrassacademy.co.uk/bookingform.php?course=36&thread=3

14/01/2014

English Brass Academy

Our first English Brass Academy courses this year are only a month away! Brass & Grade 5 Theory courses are being held at Putney High School, London, from Monday February 17 - Friday February 21 2014, a superb venue near central London with excellent rail, tube and bus links.

There are two courses for brass - Brass Works for pupils aged 8-13 and Brass Studio for students aged 14-17 and 18-21. Brass Works is ideal for players up to Grade 6/7 standard and Brass Studio is recommended for Grade 7/8+ and university or conservatoire students.

Grade 5 Theory is led by Julie Edwards, Director of Music at Beechwood Park School, Herts, who has devised a fun-filled course leading to the examination on Friday morning at the end of the week. It is ideal for any musician who requires Grade 5 Theory in order to proceed to the ABRSM Grade 6 practical examinations.

More details can be found at www.englishbrassacademy.co.uk

28/12/2013

English Brass Academy

Our next courses are very soon...

Putney High School
35 Putney Hill, London SW15 6BH

Courses for Brass and Grade 5 Theory with final examination

Tuesday, 18 February - Friday, 21 February 2014

Arrival on Tuesday, 18 February by 11am then each subsequent day begins at 10am.
Departure on Friday, 21 February by 6.30pm
Cost: Non-Residential only £385

For more details go to the English Brass Academy website at:
http://www.englishbrassacademy.co.uk

01/12/2013

Paul Archibald

I'd like to introduce Randall Malmstrom who I met on Linked In and enjoys a diverse, multi- dimensional career as a performing artist encaspulating classical music (orchestra, opera, chamber music), Broadway shows, big bands, clinician, music arranger, contractor and teacher. He has also enjoyed over 20 years in the law field as a professional paralegal in small, medium and large law firms.

Randall, who lives in Portland, Oregon has put all his work as an arranger for brass into the public domain and offers a superb resource for brass players who can access quality arrangements for performance. The arrangements can be accessed via a public link on Dropbox:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/95sgwig68fcisry/owpRxFNlXW #!

Randall's music arrangements are played worldwide - recently by the low brass section of the Lithuanian State Opera and at a Dutch International music symposium involving the best bass trombonists/teachers in the world. Here's a link to an informal performance by the participants of the Dutch Bass Trombone Open Symposium in 2012.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jSNb7biUgA&list=FLWVLvlzzIewmdZyAZ_3p5kg&index=84&feature=plpp_video

13/07/2013

Paul Archibald

I'm really looking forward to hearing Andy Evans BA, MA, Prof Cert RAM and Dr Hara Trouli MSc Performing Arts Medicine, Dip Piano discuss the very personal issue of Performance Anxiety.

Taking place at Baden Powell House, London SW7 5JS, on Sunday July 14 09.30 -17.00 their one day course, Overcoming Performance Anxiety, is a subject that is very close to the heart of all teachers and performers.

Andy (photo below) is someone I have worked closely with over the last few years and his knowledge of the music business (he studied double bass at the RAM) and his professional experience as a psychologist gives him a very special insight into the emotional conflicting world of the performing artist. The event is aimed specifically at players and educators who need positive and constructive methods in place to help deal with the symptoms of nerves and stress.

I hope you'll join me for this fascinating day presented in the comfortable environment of Baden Powell House, close to Gloucester Road tube station. More details and booking can be found at:
www.overcomingstagefright.co.uk

Look forward to seeing you on Sunday!

15/06/2013

Check out this Superbrass project. Only 12 hours to go so hurry! http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/339361054/superbrass-brass-taps

14/06/2013

An interesting one day course focussing on Performance Anxiety...

English Brass Academy, in collaboration with Metaphor Music, is delighted to present a one day course focussing on performance-related anxiety.

Peak Performance: Overcoming Performance Anxiety

Hosted by two of the wordld's leading experts in the field of performance psychology:

Andy Evans BA, MA, Prof Cert RAM
Dr Hara Trouli MSc Performing Arts Medicine, Dip Piano Perf

In today's competitive environment all performers need to be constantly at their best. This training day is led by two experts in this field: author, musician and lecturer Andy Evans & medical specialist, Dr Hara Trouli. They explain how to prepare for performance, what the 'Zone' is and how to get into it, and how to master your performance nerves using a variety of easily learned strategies.

They will discuss:
* Peak Performance and the Zone
* Mastery and Preparation for Performance
* Pre-performance Containment and Handling Auditions
* Effects of Adrenalin and the Fight or Flight Response
* Overcoming Performance Anxiety
* Healthy Lifestyle for Performers

The course is aimed at all performers, teachers and educators, and also those who need to present or speak in public in the course of their work.

Price: £145 (or £115 if booked before 16th June!)

Sunday, July 14, 2013 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Baden-Powell House
Conference Centre
65-67 Queen's Gate
London SW7 5JS

For more details:
http://www.cvent.com/events/peak-performance-overcoming-performance-anxiety/event-summary-d70d64cf9a884581a053db0d03395dea.aspx

14/06/2013

Some information about English Brass Academy courses this summer....

English Brass Academy - Summer Courses in Brass & Percussion

Just a quick update. I emailed a few contacts about the English Brass Academy Summer courses and I have been asked to post to my Facebook some information so that they can share with their Facebook friends - so here it is.

Thanks Paul Archibald

There are two brass courses BRASS WORKS & BRASS ELITE and a brand new PERCUSSION ACADEMY course this year.

BRASS WORKS
Brass Works is for all young brass players from beginner to grade 8 and the course contains small and large ensemble work; creative composition workshops, performance preparation and organised sports.

BRASS ELITE
Brass Elite is for advanced players (grade 8+) who would like to take their playing to the next level. This course contains masterclasses, chamber music, orchestral excerpts, creative composition workshops, mock auditions, health & well being and early music performance practice.

PERCUSSION ACADEMY
Percussion Academy divides participants into mixed ability sections for percussion ensemble, brass group repertoire and sectional skills development. The course will include work on the four main percussion disciplines of Timpani, Tuned Percussion, Snare Drum and Drum Kit.

21/03/2013

RT : Enquiries still coming in for our Wellington School Easter brass course. Still time to book. http://ow.ly/1TNL4m

20/03/2013

RT : 'How to Practise Effectively' and discussing secrets to performance in his Brass Masterclass....

20/03/2013

RT are hosting a Brass Masterclass with . Places are just £12, limited, don't miss out! http://t.co/ZUCYFHLAuk

20/03/2013

RT : We are hosting a Masterclass with . Limited places for this fantastic opportunity. http://t.co/NCxro1BxLb

20/03/2013

RT are hosting a Brass Masterclass with Principal Trumpeter http://t.co/ZUCYFHLAuk

30/01/2013

Four tips for running a recording studio from your home. http://ow.ly/1RFeY1

30/01/2013

Thinking of setting up a home studio? Here are a few points to think about. http://ow.ly/1RFeY1

30/01/2013

5 points to remember if you're recording live music. http://ow.ly/1RFeFv

30/01/2013

Recording live in the future? Here are a few tips. http://ow.ly/1RFeFv

30/01/2013

The case against Spotify...http://scotty-t.com/2012/06/02/why-spotify-sucks/

30/01/2013

The case for Spotify....http://kickshuffle.com/2012/02/10/point-counterpoint-is-spotify-good-or-bad-for-artists/

30/01/2013

Spotify good or bad for artists? http://ow.ly/1RDQu3

30/01/2013

What is the future of music online? See what they said 3 years ago. http://ow.ly/1RDQlf