New Zealand Music Tour :: David Bremner, Director of Education, NZ Brass Bands Association
David Bremner was appointed Principal Trombone of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, NZSO in 2002
Prior to this he was Principal Trombone of the Auckland Philharmonia. He was been a finalist in the New Zealand Young Musicians Competition, performing two concertos with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, and the Gisborne Concerto Competition.
New Plymouth born David Bremner gained a Bachelor of Music degree with Honours from Victoria University studying with Marc Taddei. He was awarded the Patricia Pratt Scholarship to study in the United States. While there he gained a Master of Music degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, studying with Mark Lawrence, won the Shenson Young Musicians Competition, and performed as a soloist with the San Francisco Conservatory Orchestra.
He was also the guest soloist with the National Youth Brass Band of New Zealand on their tour of the United Kingdom and United States in 2003 and 2005.
He won the 1999 Champion of Champions Solo competition at the National Brass Band Contest and was a member of the 2003 and 2005 National Bands of New Zealand. Having performed with the San Francisco Symphony, Bay Brass Ensemble, and Crowded House, David is currently a member of Dalewool Auckland Brass, NZ Brass, and BonaNZa – New Zealand’s premier trombone quartet www.bonanza.co.nz
David was appointed Director of Education for New Zealand Brass Bands Association in December 2004. This role has in the past been held by Ken Smith and Kevin Jarrett.
As Director of Education David Bremner is charged with co-ordinating the educational opportunities being provided for New Zealand brass players with a view to raising the quality of that education and thus the quality of the players and musicians in the Brass Band movement.
Tour Time NZ Ltd are extremely priviledged that David has offered to run master classes or provide tuition for any of their touring School Bands or Touring Brass Bands or Orchestras.
Band or Orchestra Masterclasses
Masterclasses are designed to let players stand up in front of the rest of the group and perform, and then David will talk about ways in which to improve their performance. This is a good character building exercise, and good to develop confidence within your band. Also good before a contest to have soloists stand up and play in front of the band, and receive feedback.
Band Seminars
The seminars David takes are on various topics from practicing, to band training, and can be on a particular topic you feel the band or individual players need work on. The seminars are more of a listening session, where he will discuss various topics, and present and perform information that can help with problems to do with Brass playing. One seminar David does is on listening to music, and discussing the various things we should be listening to when we put a CD on. For this seminar, a Stereo with CD player is needed, and also a DVD player and TV if available.
Band Training
The sorts of things David works on during these sessions are Intonation, Rhythm, Ensemble playing, Sound, and Style. He is happy to work on music the band is already working on, and will also bring some new music to work on, and talk about how to develop your Band's Chamber Music skills.
Sectionals
David is happy to take individual sections for ensemble rehearsals, this might also be a small chamber group i.e. duets, quartets, larger ensemble. This helps break the day up for everyone in the band, giving them a little down time.
Recently any "Kiwis" who watched the TV Series Dancing with the Stars would have seen and heard David Bremner playing trombone in the accompanying Band.
Thanks Ron for a wonderful tour...
...Members of New Zealand Symphony Orchestra
(David Bremner appointed principal trombone with NZSO 2002)
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