Making the move!

After exactly two years as a reserve musician for the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, I decided to take the plunge and become a full time musician with the RAF and in September 2023 I was delighted to join the band of the Royal Air Force Regiment. Since joining, engagements have included performing at the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall in the presence of HRH King Charles, sounding the Reveille on bugle at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Day as well as a plethora of parades and concerts both with full band and brass ensemble. 

12/01/24

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RAF Brass with guest artist Mike Lovatt

I was privileged to be asked to play flugelhorn with the RAF Brass Ensemble featuring trumpet virtuoso and former teacher at the RCM Mike Lovatt. Both Mike and the guys and girls in the RAF played wonderfully. Please visit the RAF Music Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/RoyalAirForceMusic) to view. 

23/01/23

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RAF Update

Since graduating in April, it has been a busy few months with the RAF. In June I had the great privilege to perform as part of the ceremonial band (comprising of members from the Central, College, Regiment and Auxiliary Band of the Royal Air Force) for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Pageant. Sadly, only three months later I was incredible proud to perform with the RAF's processional band as part of the Queen's funeral. 

Other engagements have included various dining in nights at various RAF air bases as well as performing with the RAF Central Band at Brizefest and with the RAF Brass Ensemble at Regent Hall featuring trumpet virtuoso Mike Lovatt. It certainly has been a busy few months!

30/10/22

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RAF Graduation!

After a delay of five months due to sciatica, I finally completed my basic training at RAF Halton for the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. I am looking forward to various playing opportunities within the RAF including supporting the three regular bands (the Central, Regiment and College Bands), as well as playing with the ever-developing Band of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. Upcoming high-profile engagements include the Queen's Jubilee Pageant in London. 

06/05/22

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A myriad of distinctions...

All four of my candidates were awarded distinctions this month for grades 2,3,4&5 trumpet / cornet. Phenomenal results and congratulations to them for all of their hard work!

28/03/22

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Higham Hall Brass Band Weekend 

Another very enjoyable and rewarding weekend was had be all last month at Higham Hall in the heart of the Lake District. Steve Mead, Andy Kershaw and I put the guys through their paces working through works such as Philip Sparke's Tallis Variations as well as Steve Robson's Pioneers Suite, an evocative, US musician themed, three movement piece. The next brass band weekend weekend (14-16 October) is almost completely fully-booked already except for a couple of cornet places. Anyone interested should contact me at martyn@onlinetrumpetteacher.com to register your interest. 

Read the 4barsrest review here.

18/03/22

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Cambridge University student

I am thrilled to be helping a Cambridge University student prepare for his first year recital in a few months' time. We had a very enjoyable two-hour lesson yesterday.

22/01/22

 

More Exam Success!

I am delighted for my young trombonist in Saudi Arabia who has gained her fourth consecutive distinction (MTB grades 1-4) since starting online trombone lessons only 18 months ago...a huge congratulations to her!

11/12/21

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Phenomenal Week!

I am delighted that the lad I have been teaching for several years achieved 92% for his Trinity College grade 8 cornet exam today! Very well-deserved for someone who has worked incredibly hard over the past few years.

PS oh, and he found out earlier this week that he'd gained a place with the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain too!  

02/12/21

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Lest We Forget

I am extremely proud of one of my students who performed the last post at the weekend...fantastic job. Lest we forget.

16/11/21

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RAF!

I am delighted to announce that I am halfway through my RAF basic training. On completion I shall become Senior Aircraftman Grisdale, trumpeter of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force ready to support the three full-time RAF bands and to play in the newly formed RAF Auxiliary band, the RAF's fourth band. Very exciting times ahead indeed! 

28/10/2021

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Brass Band residential weekend update - Higham Hall

Due to covid-19 and the resulting lockdown it was a real shame, but fully understandable, that the brass band residential weekend at Higham Hall could not go ahead in February.

I am delighted however to announce that this year's course has been rescheduled to later in the year and next year's course has also been confirmed. The dates for both courses are Friday 29th-Sunday 31st October 2021 and Friday 18th February to Sunday 20th February 2022. 

Professional tuba player Andy Kershaw and I will be joined by world-renowned tenor hornist Owen Farr in October and international Euphonium soloist Steven Mead in February. If you are interested in a relaxed and rewarding weekend of brass band playing in one of the most beautiful places in the UK, please contact me at martyn@onlinetrumpetteacher.com for further information and an application form. 

11/08/21

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They just keep coming!

96% (distinction) for MTB grade 3 for my young trombone student who started online lessons with me (as a complete beginner!) little over a year ago. I would strongly argue that online lessons can be just as effective as face-to-face. Congratulations to her...a fantastic result!

17/06/21

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Even more exam success!

Another MTB grade 2 distinction for a young cornetist who has only had online lessons with me for the past few months...very well done to him!

04/06/21

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More exam success

Another excellent grade 7 (tenor horn) result...84% (merit...very almost another distinction!)...just proving how successful online lessons can be!

08/05/21

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Look after those chops!

After some very changeable weather in the UK over the last couple of weeks (ranging from snow to summer temperatures of 20˚C!), annoyingly I awoke last Saturday morning to find that my top lip had split. This is annoying at the best (or worst!) of times, but even more so with a new trumpet to put through its paces! 

Make sure that you are keeping your lips moist with lip balm (preferably containing lanolin), especially if you are experiencing particularly hot, dry or cold weather, to prevent days of frustrating practice! Fortunately my chops are now back to normal. 

24/04/21

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Wow!

Again, I am delighted to announce that one of my students achieved a very impressive distinction (89%) for her grade 7 MTB Trumpet exam. This is even more impressive when you acknowledge that she is only 11 years old! Congratulations to her...a phenomenal and well-deserved result!

19/04/21

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Can't wait!!!

I am incredibly excited about collecting my finished Eclipse Enigma trumpet tomorrow from the factory. This is a .460 bore B-flat trumpet with an interchangeable leadpipe system, nickel leadpipe and outer slides, stainless valves, and medium yellow bell. Demonstration videos to follow...

14/04/21

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Online success! 

I am delighted that two of my students, who both have only had online lessons, have had exam success. One girl in Saudi Arabia has been awarded both grades one and two (both distinction) on trombone and a young lad here in the UK has managed to achieve his grade one with merit. It just goes to show that online lessons are just as successful as face-to-face!

13/04/21

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Summer term availability

With the weather looking eventually as if it may be improving, I shall be entering the summer term with a little availability during the term time week (and a little, although not much, at the weekends too).

Please don't hesitate to contact me at martyn@onlinetrumpetteacher.com should you have any questions otherwise you can check my availability and book through the Book Online page. 

11/04/21

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Brass Band residential weekend - Higham Hall

Due to covid-19 and the resulting lockdown it was a real shame, but fully understandable, that the brass band residential weekend at Higham Hall could not go ahead in February.

I am delighted however to announce that this year's course has been rescheduled to later in the year and next year's course has also been confirmed. The dates for both courses are Friday 29th-Sunday 31st October 2021 and Friday 18th February to Sunday 20th February 2022. 

I will be joined by two fabulous tutors, international Euphonium soloist David Thornton and professional freelance tuba player Andy Kershaw. If you are interested in a relaxed and rewarding weekend of brass band playing in one of the most beautiful places in the UK, please contact me at martyn@onlinetrumpetteacher.com for further information. 

09/04/21

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MTB exam success! 

I have several students recently achieve merits and distinctions for their MTB (Music Teachers' Board) exams including a grade 2 candidate who was awarded 93%! Very well done to all of them.

07/04/21