Bass (and Contrabass) Trombone Studies

Project 2014-01-27 02:57:00 +1300

Personal Statement

I’m Ben Robertson, an ordinary bloke who through music has seen and achieved some extraordinary things! I am currently fundraising for my final installment of fees for postgraduate studies in bass trombone at the Trinity Laban Conservatoire in London. I have been studying in the UK since September and need the support of friends, family and complete strangers to make sure I can complete what has so far been an amazing year of learning.

I am seeking $2160 to help cover tuition fees and general living costs. I have sacrificed a lot to chase this dream but it is because I genuinely believe that this experience is truly worth it and will help me in my quest to become an orchestral musician. I am the first NZ bass trombonist in a number of years to attend an overseas institution and my specialist project is in the contrabass trombone, an instrument which has very limited study options in NZ.

The College

Trinity Laban is the rebranded version of the old Trinity College of Music, whom many will associate with the graded music exams in performance and theory. My current teacher is Roger Argente, bass trombonist of the Royal Philharmonic orchestra for the past twenty three years. The great thing about Roger's lessons are that we aren't just looking for a good mark in an exam but what it takes to win an orchestral audition

Past Experience

Music has allowed me to perform in a number of varied and sometimes exotic locations these include:

• The Edinburgh Military tattoo (with the NZ Army Band)
• The Coronation of the King of Tonga
• The opening of the NZ Memorial at Hyde Park corner with the Royal family in attendance (NZDF Band)
• In rehearsal with the NZ Symphony Orchestra
• On television with the Rodger Fox Wellington Jazz Orchestra for Telethon
• As part of the Wellington Brass Band who won the 2013 National Brass band championships of NZ

The Road So Far...

Fees have been the biggest financial burden on my course with one year costing £8050. To date I have managed with the help of a number of trusts and foundations to pay two installments towards this.  I intend to keep applying for other grants and scholarships to help but your support will put me in good stead towards completing the academic year.

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