Dolphin Music News Feed

Pollard’s latest trumpets:

A Pollard trumpet Leads the way on Carnival Cruise.

Hi Pete,
Great to hear from you. Your trumpet is awesome!!!!!!!!!!. Most in tune horn I’ve played. Your horn kicks ass in regards to slotting and especially Intonation. Very Very flexible trumpet. The biggest difference is how easy it is to change sounds and timbres.

Hi Pete,

Here is a photo of myself with your trumpet

Justin Down

Musical Director

Peter Pollard

Peter Pollard

With 40 years working in the music industry worldwide, his knowledge and experience stocks a comprehensive music store, the one stop shop for instrument advice, repairs, new and second-hand sales. Peter’s apprenticeships with some of the world’s leading craftsmen in Britain, the United States and Canada, have given him a thorough working knowledge of acoustical engineering and instrumental design creating a unique understanding of the instrumental needs of wind musicians. No longer will instrumental connoisseurs have to go to London when choosing and maintaining an instrument, when all their needs can be met in Manchester.

A true Artisan, Peter has been fine tuning brass and woodwind instruments for musicians of the leading ensembles and institutions for many years, the Hallé, BBC Philharmonic, Royal Northern College of Music and Leeds College of Music and passing on his expertise in instrumental academy seminars in Scandinavia and Europe.

A UK Brass specialist, Peter’s skills have led to a growing demand for his custom range of brass design and parts, trumpets, flugels, cornets, bespoke lead pipes, bells, cork parts and mouthpieces. An exponent of 5 Star spa treatments for trumpets, a Pollard MOT involves deep freeze Cryogenic resonance restoration, ultrasonic cleaning, valve alignment and the application of his own patented valve oil ‘Superfly’ with a unique cleaning agent to ensure agile acrobatics when playing. ‘Superfly’ has now been licensed for distribution in the United States and Europe. Peter is the figure driving the sponsorship masterclasses and live music in the North West ,attracting stars such as Bobby Shew, Snake Davis, Ian Bousfield, Jigs Wigham and Peter King, the Comedy Store, Liverpool’s the Cavern Club,Cinnamon Club,Matt & Phreds, and the Hallé, breath of fresh air for the region’s live-music industry.

peter.pollard@dolphinmusic.co.uk

pollardtrumpets@hotmail.com

Faroe Islands – The Windsmith

Kappingarførir vøruprísir við meginlandið, so hví fara yvir um hav……..?

The only workshop of its kind in the country. Fully trained machinist and later musical instruments maker specialized in brass- and woodwind.

Having finished High School I worked as a truck driver and went to sea as a sailor. Later after 4 years of apprenticeship I got my diploma as a mechanical engineer in Tórshavn as well as a diploma in practical sailing. After that I graduated as a ship’s machinist in Denmark. I sailed for some years as a ship’s machinist in far seas and in european seas. I started another 4-year skilled training in crafts, this time in musical instruments making and repair. This I did partly in Norway and in England and specialized in brass- and woodwind instruments. I have now worked for some years in my own workshop.

Brassbands in the Faroes:

Frelsunarherurin
Fuglafjarðar Hornorkestur
Harmoniorkestrið GHM
Ungdómsharmoniorkestrið GHM
Havnar Hornorkestur
Havnar Ungdómshornorkestur
Klakksvíkar Hornorkestur
Nes Sóknar Musikkfelag
Sørvágs Tónleikarafelag
Tvøroyrar Hornorkestur
Vestmanna Hornorkestur

York Brass

Les meira um York Brass
Full Brass Band Instruments

British Sound and Tradition backed by the best German Technology

Schreiber-Keilwerth

Jupiter

Alexander Mainz

Getzen

Helmut Voigt

Warburton

Kelly Mouthpieces

Paxman

Pollard Trumpets

Schilke

Sinus-Line

Sterling

Taylor Trumpets

Yamaha Launches National Jazz Education Project for 2009-2010

pictured here: Yamaha’s Education Liaison Manager, Bill C Martin, announces the 2009-2010 jazz improvisation initiative to delegates attending Jazz Services’ ‘Jazz In Education’ day at London’s Mermaid Conference Centre on 25 October 2008.)

Yamaha has announced details of The Yamaha Jazz Experience, a pioneering jazz-in-education programme combining teacher training and masterclasses, culminating in high-profile live performance opportunities for award-winning new jazz ensembles aged 11-19 at some of the UK’s leading venues and live events.

Supported by the UK’s jazz elite, who will be actively involved in teacher-training, school activities and the live events, the scheme aims to deliver across a wide range of educational and training development areas, with a particular focus on the Music Manifesto’s goal of developing the workforce in music education.

The Yamaha Jazz Experience will appeal to secondary school classroom and instrumental music teachers with little or no jazz improvisation experience and give them the skills and confidence to teach and inspire pupils eager to learn improvisation. A secondary objective is to showcase the very best of the UK’s newest young jazz ensembles who have been helped to form and perform by participating teachers. The most creative of these jazz ensembles will then be offered performance opportunities at a range of events and venues including Ronnie Scott’s, the Cheltenham Jazz Festival and Chelsea’s famed 606 club.

A core part of the project will be the initial series of free 1-day regional improvisation workshops for teachers, organised in association with key music education bodies, including The Federation of Music Services and the , in eight locations throughout England, Scotland and Wales in March and April 2009.

Led by Jazz icon Julian Joseph, with Gwilym Simcock, Tim Garland and leading jazz educator Richard Michael these events will equip teachers with the extra skills to help them work with aspiring jazz ensembles of mixed abilities within their schools. Project patron, legendary jazz bassist Peter Ind, will contribute materials for the project, and additional artists – to be announced later – will be involved in the training and subsequent masterclasses.

Yamaha’s Education Liaison Manager Bill Martin comments: “Our goal with the Jazz Experience is to inspire teachers and young musicians alike. Our workshop programme, hosted by world-class working jazz stars, will provide a unique opportunity for teachers with little or no experience of jazz and improvisation to learn much more in a highly creative environment. With a consensus in UK music education that we need to empower young people’s personal creativity, I can’t think think of a better or more exciting way to do this than by helping them develop improvising skills! With jazz being a hard-to-teach area of the music curriculum we hope the workshops will play a major role in activating a passion for jazz and improvising amongst the young people and teachers alike.”

Prior to the initial workshop teachers will receive a pack of materials, including some required listening and some simple things to practice to help them get the most from the workshop. Yamaha will also be running Masterclasses at Ronnie Scott’s in Summer 2009 led by Julian Joseph with Tim Garland, Gwilym Simcock and Richard Michael. These events will demonstrate to teachers ways to work with and coach an ensemble. The events will be videoed and made available free of charge for any interested teachers unable to attend in person.

The final phase of this unique project will kick off in September 2009 when teachers will start to work with their school ensembles with a view to entering them for the national awards programme through which ensembles will be invited to submit performance video footage. The judging panel will be looking for good ensemble and improvisation skills in particular.

9 winning ensembles will then be announced, 3 from each of the secondary school age categories: 1) Key Stage 3 (pre-Standard Grade in Scotland); 2) Key Stage 4/GCSE/Standard Grade; 3) Key Stage 5/A-level/Higher Grade.

All nine award winners will receive an invitation to perform live at the 2010 Cheltenham Jazz festival, following which the judges will invite the ‘best’ three groups to perform at world renowned Ronnie Scott’s jazz club and the 606 club.

Yamaha is NOW inviting applications from interested music teachers who teach secondary music anywhere in the UK. Heads of music services, classroom music teachers and instrumental teachers in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland who work at secondary level are invited to register their interest by completing the application form available at www.yamahaeducation.co.uk.

Yamaha Xeno Trumpet Blows Competition Away At MIA Awards

Yamaha’s YTR8335 Xeno series Trumpet was named ‘best brass instrument’ at the annual MIA (Music Industries Association) Music Awards held recently in London where Yamaha products, service and music learning initiatives scooped a total of four coveted awards including being named ‘Best Large Supplier’ for the second year running.

The Music Industries Association is the principal trade association in the country representing over 350 music instrument manufacturers, retailers, publishers and allied distributors. All awards are the result of a confidential voting process from the membership and thus reflect accurate opinion amongst the industry.

The YTR 8335 Xeno Series Professional Trumpets are designed for players that demand power and projection combined with a big , warm sound. The range has been developed over a 30 year period of research and partnerships with many leading artists across the world , they now feature a one-piece hand hammered bell for maximum resonance desired for the professional player. The 8335 Xeno trumpet is available in silver or with a yellow brass or gold bell in lacquer.

Yamaha Music UK’s Senior Director Mike Ketley stated, “The Xeno trumpet is really leading the way as regards high-end brass at the moment. There is some very strong competition in this area too, but the popularity this instrument is achieving proves that top artists are turning to Yamaha. This is a specialist instrument with specialist dealers and that makes their votes for this prestigious award all the more important. ”

Players recently selecting & using XENO Trumpets include – Rod Franks,Tony Fisher,James Morrison, Allen Vizzutti, Wayne Bergeron, The Canadian Brass Trumpet section and the Trumpet sections of the New York Philharmonic and Chicago Symphony.

key XENO Features include

Key of Bb
Heavyweight
li>0.459″ medium large bore
4-7/8″ hand-hammered, one-piece gold brass bell
One-piece drawn mouthpipe
Monel© pistons
2-piece valve casings
1st valve slide thumb hook
Double main tuning slide braces
Option of lacquer and silver Silver-plated finishes
Optional reverse leadpipe model available
Also available with a 0.462″ large bore
Supplied in a deluxe hard double trumpet case which provides excellent protection
The Xeno trumpet was the first in a range of high end Xeno brass manufactured by Yamaha, which also includes tenor and bass trombones, and our very popular Xeno cornets. All are made in collaboration with top artists, combining the skills of the players and our most highly trained craftsmen, along with the most cutting-edge manufacturing techniques.

Tuba artist Timothy Olt

Yamaha is pleased to welcome tuba artist Timothy Olt to its ever growing roster. Olt is currently the tuba/euphonium instructor at Northern Kentucky University, Ohio Northern University, Miami University and Wittenberg University. In the recent past he was the visiting assistant professor of tuba and euphonium at Bowling Green State University, and also taught euphonium, tuba, and trombone at Adrian College. In addition, he has served on the faculty at the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp.

Timothy holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from Wright State University, a master’s degree in tuba performance from Miami University and has pursued doctoral studies at Florida State University. His principal teachers include Paul Ebbers, Sam Green, Jason Smith and Michael Thornton.

As a performer, he can be seen with the professional tuba quartet All the King’s Tubas, Ambassador Brass Quintet, Queen City Brass Quintet, and as principal tubist of the Lima Symphony Orchestra. He has performed with the Cincinnati Opera Orchestra and as an extra/substitute for the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops orchestras, Toledo Symphony Orchestra, and the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra, as well as orchestras throughout Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and Kentucky. He also serves as personnel manager of the Springfield (OH) Symphony, and was recently appointed as Competitions Coordinator for International Conferences for the International Tuba-Euphonium Association.

Mr. Olt is very active as a composer and arranger for groups such as the Encore Brass, All the King’s Tubas, Miami University Brass Choir, Florida State Tuba Ensemble, and the Lima Symphony Orchestra among others. His arrangements are available through Cimarron Music Press and Tuba-Euphonium Press.

KENNY WHEELER with STAN SULZMANN-sax; JOHN PARRICELLI-guitar

Tonight we feature one of the world’s great modern Jazz trumpet players, Kenny Wheeler. Kenny’s melodic, inventive, playing first came to prominence with the John Dankworth Band of the late 50’s and by the mid 60’s he was leading his own groups, as well as working with some of the best musicians on both sides of the Atlantic. By the mid 70’s he was signed to the iconic label ECM, for whom he was to record for the next 20 years, achieving universal recognition as one of the finest contemporary trumpet and flugel horn players in the world. Even now, after more than 50 years, he is still considered to be one of the most influential and creative players in world Jazz. Joining Kenny will be his long time associates, the brilliant saxophonist Stan Sulzmann and World Class guitarist John Parricelli.

“The Wheeler sound is one of the most distinctive in the history of the jazz trumpet. Incapable of producing a hackneyed phrase….like words from a prophet, every note counts…. quite astonishing….the strongest band in Britain today” Independent

“Kenny Wheeler…quietly but progressively inventive all his life… one of the composing and improvising giants of European jazz for 40 years or more” Guardian.   

Yamaha having problems with supply of YTR4335 trumpet

Terra Bb Trumpet

Great alternative to the YTR4335

Terra Bb Trumpet TR-4200G  Gold Brass bell and leadpipe.

Great alternative to the YTR4335

Upgrade instrument.

The TR-4200G shares many of the same qualities of  top-of-the-line professional models, like a rich full tone with accurate intonation and the ability to either blend with the ensemble or project a solo. It features Stainless- steel,hand lapped pistons for quick and reliable valve action, a gold-brass bell for warm rich tone. The entire inner bore taper from mouthpiece receiver to the bell has been scientifically designed for beautiful tone color, comfortable response, and as much sound as you want.

• Intermediate Model
• Medium-weight Bb trumpet
• Gold-brass bell
• Bell: 123mm (4-7/8″)
• ML Bore: 11.65mm (0.459″)
• Gold-lacquer finish

Peter Pollard mastercraftsman and Trumpet Maker has checked this out and finds it a great trumpet. Well built and free blowing.

Mark Gilbanks tried this and thought it was “Fantastic”.

Mark Mosley BBC Philharmonic ” I don’t know how they can make this so good for the price”?