“Blowing My Own Trumpet”

Blowing my own trumpet is an amusing and interesting account of Roy’s 60 years as a professional player, beginning with his time spent in a Yorkshire Brass Band, then moving to his 22years service with the Royal Artillery Band/Orchestra. Followed by his involvement with the Philharmonia Orchestra, the BBC Concert Orchestra and touring Ballet Companies. Twelve years as player/manager with the world-renowned brass group The Wallace Collection and his own group Thames Fanfare Brass the first civilian fanfare team who has played for 30 Royal Film Premiers since 1987plus forming The British State Trumpeters in 2014. Ending with his 55year career as a brass teacher, teaching all brass instruments from beginners to diploma level, from primary schools in England to masterclasses in countries such as Argentina, Australia and South Africa.

Talks

Date Updated:18 January 2022

Talk 1.”Blowing My Own Trumpet” In the Beginning

My early years learning to play from the age of 12 with a Yorkshire Amateur Brass Band to joining the oldest and most prestigious Military Band in the country: The Royal Artillery Band. The history of the Band also amusing and sometimes embarrassing anecdotes of my years playing with them.

Talk 2.”Blowing My Own Trumpet” The Royal Artillery Orchestra

The history of the oldest established orchestra in the country The Royal Artillery Orchestra formed in 1762, from their beginnings playing the music of Anton Dvorak to travelling and backing Sir Harry Secombe, finishing my 22y ear career as Band Sergeant Major and Deputy Band Master.

Talk 3.”Blowing My Own Trumpet” The World of Freelance Trumpet

Playing with the Philharmonia Orchestra for over 12 years, the most recorded orchestra in the world and performing in some of the most grand and prestigious venues, playing with the BBC Concert Orchestra and with the Touring Ballet Companies such as the Bolshoi, Kirov not forgetting the English National Ballet.

Talk 4.”Blowing My Own Trumpet” The Wallace Collection

My involvement with trumpet soloist John Wallace CBE and The Wallace Collection as performer and manager to this internationally famous brass group from 1987-2001. Performing carrying out concerts and master classes all over the world. Carried out many tours for the British Council in all 5 Continents. Including some of the unusual countries I have played in, out of the 39 I have visited.

Talk 5.”Blowing My Own Trumpet” Thames Fanfare Brass

My own company Thames Fanfare Brass now in its 35th year, our Fanfare Team have carried out 30 Royal Film Premiers Numerous Awards Ceremonies, Sporting Events, the Brass ensemble regularly found at the Mansion House in London playing for banquets, performing concerts, the Dixie Band who have performed at more store openings than I can count and many other events the list is endless.

Talk 6.”Blowing My Own Trumpet” 50 Years in Teaching

From my 50 years as a highly respected Brass Teacher teaching beginners to Diploma level students, with many amusing stories and anecdotes from home and abroad, plus a short recount of the all six talks.

Talk 7.”Blowing My Own Trumpet” Royal Artillery Band-Crazy Days

I return to more army stories which cover my time in basic training and many amazing anecdotes of my time spent in the Royal Artillery Band. Also includes performing music from his new CD ‘Blowing My Own Trumpet’

Talk 8. “Blowing My Own Trumpet” Show Tunes

During this talk I shall be performing more than talking. A selection of popular show tunes which hopefully you will all recognize, together with information about the story lines, composers and performers.

Talk 9.”Blowing My Own Trumpet” A Mediterranean Odyssey

The word “Odyssey” is often used to describe a journey that is full of adventure well there is nothing better than flying from Brize Norton in a RAF Hercules transport plane. Roy takes us to Gibraltar, Tangier, Malta then he goes back in time to when trumpet playing was an event in the Olympic Games 776 BC. The first modern Olympics were held in Athens, in 1896.

Talk 10. “Blowing My Own Trumpet” The Three Tenors

The Three Tenors were a popular operatic singing group during the 1990’s and early 2000’s, consisting of Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras and Luciano Pavarotti. The talk includes genre, styles, group members and performing some of their favourite pieces of music played on the trumpet.

Talk 11. “Blowing My Own Trumpet” The Beatles

The Beatles an English rock band formed in Liverpool 1960. They became widely regarded as the foremost and most influential music band in history. Roy’s talk covers a brief history of the group also playing some of their hits on his trumpet.

Talk 12. “Blowing My Own Trumpet” Sounds of the Nordic

Roy takes us back to yet more of his army service days visiting Gothenburg, Sweden in 1978, trekking across Finnish Lapland in an exercise called “Midnight Sun” in 1979 and talking about Sweden’s famous singing quartet ABBA plus playing some of their top hits including Dancing Queen and Mamma Mia on his trumpet.

Talk 13. “Blowing My Own Trumpet” from Russia with Love

Roy visits Bern Switzerland where he encounters the Russian Red Army Band. He then travels with international trumpet soloist John Wallace, as his agent, to Moscow and Saint Petersburg. The Wallace Collection brass group visit Kiev and Odessa in Ukraine, finally visiting Kazakhstan and returning to Moscow for a concert in the famous Tchaikovsky Hall.