Brass Workshop with Tom Rainer - Hurstpierpoint College

Brass Workshop with Tom Rainer

Tom has worked with all the major London-based orchestras, has performed regularly in the West End and can be heard on radio, television, and on many film scores, most notably ‘Lord of the Rings’.

Our brass players from Year 6-13 spent the morning rehearsing Darrol Barry’s ‘Ceremonial March’ as well as arrangements of Neil Diamond’s ‘Sweet Caroline’ and Pharrell Williams’ ‘Happy’. Tom spent time working on the ensemble’s tone and timbre as well as the importance of listening to each other and recognising which parts take more importance than others at various stages of a piece. At all times he focused on the quality of sound, since that is what brass playing is all about!

The concert to all Year 3 and 4 pupils and some Year 7s was an absolute hit and appreciated by all who attended. The audience enjoyed a sublime solo trombone performance of Jan Sandström’s ‘Sang Till Lotta’ played by a Year 6 pupil, Barney Matthews, and clapped along enthusiastically to the upbeat ‘Happy’ rendition. Many of our Prep School pupils then had the opportunity to try out the trumpet and the trombone to see if they could produce a sound.

There was a real buzz in the air and palpable sense of excitement. What a wonderful way for both performers and audience to spend a Tuesday morning! Kate Bray, Head of Junior and Senior Prep School Music