Tuba soloist brings his musical expertise to local schoolchildren

Thursday 13 April 2023

Jersey's young brass players will this week get the "rare privilege" of attending a workshop led by the London Symphony Orchestra’s principal tuba player.

Ben Thomson, an awarded tuba soloist, will be visiting Jersey to perform Ralph Vaughan-Williams's ‘Tuba Concerto’ on Saturday evening with the Jersey Symphony Orchestra (JSO).

On Friday, however, he will offer his expertise to the next generation of brass players by leading a workshop with 35 young musicians aged between 7 and 17 from schools all across the island.

Those attending are players of a wide range of instruments from across the brass section, including Baritone, Cornet, Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone and Tuba.

Mr Thomson, who is also a Professor of Tuba at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and tutor with the National Youth Orchestra, said: "I find my teaching and other education work really enjoyable. If instrumentalists and musicians like me don't try to offer our expertise to younger players, they may not become motivated and excited enough to continue practicing and aiming for the next levels of ability."

"Classical music isn't at the forefront of many people's minds these days, but can you picture a blockbuster film without an orchestral soundtrack?"

He added: "Another enjoyment, or reality, is when I'm working with young musicians and discovering what unique ideas and methods work for the individual to progress. I often find myself thinking 'That could make my playing better too!' and start using that little element every time I come to perform a similar bit of music."

For the workshop on Friday, Ben said he has a "few ideas":

"We'll do some warm-up exercises both on and off our instruments. I've got a little snippet of something that I'll perform to the young musicians, then we will split into instrumental groups to work on some pieces along with members of the Jersey Symphony Orchestra brass section."

The workshop will conclude with a short performance at the end for family and friends.

Pictured: in November last year, Ben performed the Wynton Marsalis Tuba Concerto with the LSO at the Barbican Centre, London (Mark Allan).

Vicky Stock, JSO Education Officer and local lead for the Brass Workshop said: "This is an exciting opportunity for young players of school age to explore their instrument alongside local and visiting professional musicians, collaborating to rehearse a selection of ensemble pieces covering technical and creative aspects of music-making, culminating in an informal concert to family and friends."

She added: "Ben's performance on Saturday and the workshop itself is a rare privilege and will undoubtedly enthuse our young local brass players, providing them with a valuable insight into the life of a professional musician.

"We are delighted to be working with Ben, and know that our young musicians will be inspired by the opportunity."

Pictured: tickets are available for the JSO's Easter Concert.

This is not Mr Thomson's first visit to the Island. In February 2020, he performed as guest soloist for the final of PWC Jersey Young Musician of the Year at the Jersey Opera House. He has also adjudicated the competition before.

Ben became the Principal Tuba player with the London Symphony Orchestra in 2019. Prior to this appointment he also held the same position with the Orchestra of The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden from 2013, and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra from 2011-2013. He currently serves on the board of directors with the LSO.

Tickets for Saturday's 'Northern Lights' concert, which will take place at Les Quennevais School, are available at JSO.org.je.