Christopher Thomas-Trombone Tutor

Chris’ musical activity is firmly rooted within the brass band movement. He started playing at the age of eleven and following initial tuition from Mr Richard Nash and a brief spell in The Tredegar Junior Band, Chris was appointed principal trombone of the Sun Life Band at the age of only seventeen. A period of travel that took him all over the world saw him forge a reputation as one of the finest amateur performers of his generation. He has presented masterclasses and performed in concert halls as far afield as Australia, New Zealand, the USA, Japan and throughout Europe. In addition, he has performed as featured soloist at the National Brass Band Championships Gala Concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

He has won the British Open Solo Championships twice, been British Trombone Champion five times and has won the title of International Brass Musician of the Year.

Chris has premiered two major works by leading Welsh composers; the Trombone Concerto by Gareth Wood and Alun Hoddinott’s Concerto Grosso. Both were performed as soloist with the National Youth Brass Band of Wales.
Recently he returned from a successful tour of Japan and in August, he returns to the land of the rising sun to perform solos with a number of bands and solo recitals with piano.

He has released a solo recording ‘The Noble Trombone’ with the Cory Band and has appeared on over forty CD recordings, in styles ranging from serious major works to lighter material.

He has amassed a total of five National Championships wins, eight British Open wins and six European Championship wins. He has received the Don Lusher award at the Brass in Concert Championship on three occasions. He travels worldwide teaching and performing with many organisations and has delivered masterclasses in Sweden, Norway, Australia, the USA and Japan.

​

All of the above happens in the evening. By day, Chris is a classroom teacher in Worcestershire.