Biography
Click here for member's Biographies
Thistle Brass is fast making a name for itself as one of the UK's most exciting and innovative young chamber ensembles. The group has performed in a highly diverse range of settings and contexts, from the Orkney Islands to the Great Wall of China, from major music festivals and concert clubs to state and civic occasions.
Thistle Brass was established in 2002 by senior students at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, where it has won several prizes and awards, including the Mary D Adams Prize for Chamber Music. They have also been recognized by two major national awards, The Tunnel Trust Award for Chamber Music and the Musicians Benevolent Fund Award for Ensembles.
The group has toured throughout the United Kingdom and further afield, including China in 2004. It has performed at several major festivals including the Birmingham Brass Explosion, RSAMD Brass Spectacular, Moray Spirit of Brass Festival, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, appeared as Ensemble in Residence at the St Magnus Festival, Orkney and has given several broadcasts on BBC radio.
Thistle Brass has built a reputation for concerts presented in its own inimitable and entertaining style. The group has an expansive and diverse repertoire, and is equally at home performing classical to jazz, from serious to lunatic, whether performing new commissions from composers of today, or loosening its ties in a selection of its distinctive lighter repertoire.
Education and outreach work plays a very important role in the work of the quintet. It has organised many educational activities of its own, and has worked regularly for several education authorities throughout the UK,well as performing under the prestigious Live Music Now! Scheme.
Thistle Brass has also performed on several occasions for prestigious Royal and Civic occasions, including performances in the Scottish Parliament for the First Minister, in China for the British Embassy, and performing for world leaders and media at the historic G8 Summit held at Gleneagles in 2005.
Iain began playing the trumpet in 1992 in the renowned Greenock Boys Brigade ‘Steadfast’ Silver Band where he developed all the good... more... Brian was born in Glasgow and began playing the trumpet at the age of 10. He studied with Mark O'Keeffe at the RSAMD Junior Academy and... more... Timothy Hunter was born in Allness, a small town just outside Inverness in the north of Scotland. His interest in music developed during his time... more... Arlene began playing the trombone at the age of 11 and quickly joined a very prestigious fourth section brass band in her local area. In 1996 Arlene... more... Matthew is a native of Aberdeen and began playing the tuba at the age of 11. He studied with mentors Kevin Cormack and Eric Kidd during his... more...
