When a brass band visited Matt Bates’ school when he was in Year 5 and the trombones featured heavily in Darth Vader’s theme, he knew that’s what he wanted to play.
“A brass band came to my school when I was in year 5, what really stuck in my mind was when they played The Imperial March (Darth Vader’s theme) from Star Wars, when the trombones came in with the tune I just knew “that! I want to do that!”
“I also play in an orchestra with several members of the band, and though I only play the trombone I have been known to play the cello, double bass, trumpet and timpani parts to some pieces (not all at the same time though!).
“What’s my favourite instrument? Well, it would be unfair if everyone said their favourite instrument is the trombone [actually, noone has yet said the trombone is their favourite instrument, although to be fair, we haven’t yet got to our MD’s story – Editors note], so I’ll give my second favourite which is the baritone saxophone, I just love the tone it has, the deep sound it produces and the way that you can almost feel the bass.
“I’ve been with the band for three and a half years now, as soon as I moved to Milton Keynes and searched for a band to join I just knew I had to play with the Winslow Concert Band. I remember turning up late to the first rehearsal (start as you mean to go on) and squeezing round the band to get to where the trombones were sat, we were in the smaller bowls club, rather than the usual public hall, but everyone was so welcoming, and I was invited down the pub after rehearsal. Funny how the pub is what sticks in the mind of the brass players..
“Compared to many concert bands and orchestras, there’s a lot for the trombones to do, even when we don’t have the tune, we often have an interesting part to play. Plus there are pieces were a glissando (where the trombonist goes down and up the slide – what trombones are probably best known for) is actually written in the music rather than ad-libbed! As to my favourite piece, there are so many fantastic trombone features, When The Saints Go Marching In, Bare Necessities, Madness Medley, King Herod’s Song in the middle of the Andrew Lloyd Webber medley, but I’m such a fan of the 1812 Overture as a piece of music that I would have to say that is my favourite piece in the band – I can’t wait until we play it with “cannons”.
“I work at Network Rail, running simulations of the railway to help improve the timetable. So when your train is delayed it’s because I was having a little power trip and seeing what mischief I could get away with, sorry!
“I also play trombone in a jazz band and an orchestra and occasionally dep for a couple of other bands, but outside of music I enjoy playing hockey twice a week.
“Playing trombone isn’t as difficult as we make it look (or sound) and is great fun, I encourage everyone reading to come along to our stand at the Winslow show and give it a go!”
