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Paul Archibald
- Trumpet
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Paul's interest in brass chamber music was stimulated
whilst a student at Clarendon College, Nottingham where he was influenced
by Douglas Wilkie a great enthusiast for
all things brass!
On his arrival at the Royal Academy of Music he and four friends
formed a brass quintet, originally called the Albany Brass Ensemble,
changing the name to the English Brass Ensemble in 1985. David Whitson
and James Handy are also founder members.
As a member of the London Sinfonietta Paul was very active in contemporary
music performance and encouraged many composers to write for the
brass medium. This resulted in the ensemble participating, for several
years, on the composers course at the Dartington International Summer
School with Sir Peter Maxwell Davies.
In addition to commissioning new works Paul has arranged and transcribed
many pieces for different combinations of brass instruments and
some of these are now included in the English Brass Ensemble Series
published by Brass Wind Publications.
Most musicians spend many years of study
before they have the opportunity of working with a professional orchestra.
Joe commenced his professional life two years prior to his formal
studies at the Royal Academy of Music, London as his talent on the
trumpet was spotted very early by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.
On completing his studies, with Ray Allen,
at the Royal Academy Joe was invited to become Co-Principal Trumpet
of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. Joe, however, decided that
London was to be his home and accepted a position with the Royal
Philharmonic Orchestra, a position he still holds.
In addition to his symphonic work Joe is involved
in many different aspects of London's musical life. He was, during
its run, Principal Trumpet in the orchestra to Cameron Machintosh's
production of 'Oliver' and is also Principal Trumpet in the Oxford
Philomusica. He has also performed as guest principal in most of
the orchestras throughout Britain including the BBC Philharmonic,
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Academy of St
Martin-in-the-Fields and London Philharmonic Orchestra.
Joe is also a committed teacher and regularly gives
individual and ensemble workshops and masterclasses. He is a member
of the ILEA Brass Instrumental Panel and is Trumpet Professor at
the London College of Music, Thames Valley University. He joined
The English Brass Ensemble in February 1999
Thomas
Rainer - Trumpet
The son of Salvation Army Officers,
Thomas spent much of his early years in Africa whilst his parents
were on missionary duty. At the age of eight he was given a cornet
but unfortunately, due to the inaccessibility of teachers, he was
unable to have lessons in the basic techniques of playing. Undeterred,
Thomas went about mastering the instrument as best he could, and at
the age of seventeen received his first lesson! Fortunately, for him
his 'self-teaching' was of a very high standard as he was soon awarded
a scholarship to study with Ray Allen at the Royal Academy of Music,
London. On leaving the Academy Thomas continued his studies at the
Guildhall School of Music and Drama and graduated in 1992.
In addition to his work with The English Brass Ensemble
Thomas free-lances in and around London. He is a member of the prestigious
chamber orchestra, Britten Sinfonia, and has worked with all the
major London-based orchestras. As a soloist Thomas has performed
at various music festivals, including the San Sebastian International
Festival and was a winner of the Portabello Music Competition in
1997.
In July 1997 Thomas was appointed Co-Principal
Trumpet of the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, a position
he held until February 1999. Thomas is married and is the proud
owner of two cats!
James
Handy - Horn
It came as no surprise that James decided
to become a horn player as the instrument has been played by a member
of his family for the last four generations! From an early age he
was encouraged to continue the tradition so at the age of ten he started
to play. Indeed, music was such an important part of his family, that
his sister, Thelma, is a concert violinist, his brother, Lionel, is
a well-established cellist and his other brother, Edmund, is a renowned
harpsichord builder! His talent as a
musician was spotted early on as he was awarded a scholarship to
study the horn as a Junior Member of the Royal College of Music
after learning for only one year! He continued his studies and eventually
was accepted to the Royal Academy of Music, London as a student
of James Brown OBE. During this period James won the Aubrey Brain
Prize and soon established himself as a rising star of his generation.
On graduating from the Academy James was soon in
demand as a freelance player and began working with all the London
symphony orchestras and ballet companies. In 1978 he was appointed
as a member of the BBC Symphony Orchestra and was fortunate to play
at that time with the Alan Civil, one of the greatest exponents
of the horn.
In 1984 James was appointed as a member of the Philharmonia
Orchestra and continues his relationship with them to this day.
He is an original member of the ensemble and has participated and
been an essential part of the success and musical integrity of the
ensemble since its beginning.
David
Whitson - Trombone
There was no doubt as to the instrument
that David would play as he was greatly influenced by the sound of
the trombone from an early age. His grandfather was an accomplished
musician and was well known as a fine performer on the instrument.
Eager to continue this brass-playing tradition David joined the local
brass band at the age of eight and became an enthusiastic member.
This enthusiasm was rewarded years later when he gained a place at
the Royal Academy of Music, London where he studied with two renowned
professors, Sidney Langston and Harold Nash. In 1980 he was appointed
as Co-Principal Trombone of the Orchestra of the English National
Opera, relinquishing this position in 1988 to pursue a career as a
freelance musician and to concentrate on his work as a chamber music
performer. David is greatly interested
in contemporary music and is a member of three of London's finest
contemporary groups, Lontano, Almeida Ensemble and Matrix. He is
also a member of the renowned English Chamber Orchestra and in addition
to this concert work is an established studio player, performing
on many film and television scores.
In total contrast to his work in contemporary music
he enjoys performing on period instruments with orchestras such
as the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and Orchestre Revolutionnaire
et Romantique and is well-versed in early music performance and
techniques.
His reputation as a teacher is well-known and his
enthusiasm and love of music is a vital element in his coaching
technique. He is Trombone Professor at the Junior Department of
the Royal Academy of Music, London and his influence has helped
many young players towards a career as a professional musician.
Along with Paul and James, David is a founding member of The English
Brass Ensemble and his enthusiasm and contribution has been invaluable.
Robert
Goodhew Bass - Trombone
Robert studied bass trombone at the
Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester where he achieved distinction
in the Professional Performers Diploma, the highest award available
for performance techniques. He continued his studies as a post-graduate
student at the Royal College of Music, London as a scholarship student
and was soon recognized as one of the finest bass trombonists of his
generation. During his studies at the Royal College of Music he won
both the trombone and bass trombone prizes. Needless
to say, on graduating from music college his services were in great
demand and he has now worked with most of the country's leading
orchestras, notably the London Philharmonic, the BBC Symphony, the
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden and the Academy
of St Martin-in-the-Fields. During the course of his work he has
travelled extensively throughout Europe, South Africa and USA.
He is also very interested in performing early music
and has performed with many early music ensembles, particularly
His Majesty's Sagbutts and Cornetts and the Orchestre Revolutionnaire
et Romantique. Robert joined The English Brass Ensemble in 1998.
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Graham Sibley - Tuba
Graham was educated at Gordonstoun
School and continued his musical training at the Guildhall school
of Music and Drama where he was awarded a GGSM and a Postgraduate
Diploma. During this period he studied with two eminent tuba players,
James Anderson and Patrick Harrild and was a member of the European
Community Youth Orchestra.
His professional career includes a
wide spectrum of musical styles. He has performed with most of
Britainís eminent orchestras such as the London Symphony, The
Philharmonia, the London Philharmonic and the Royal Philharmonic
Orchestras and his interest in contemporary music has included
performances with the London Sinfonietta, the Britten Sinfonia
and the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group.
Graham is also interested in chamber
music and is a regular performer with ensembles such as the Orchestra
of the Age of Enlightenment and the London Mozart Players. He
is currently Principal Tuba in the Northern Ballet Theatre Orchestra
and combines his playing commitments with his work in education
as Tuba Professor at the Junior Guildhall School of Music and
Drama and Christís Hospital School.
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