Information About Garrath - Holmfirth teacher

Personal Description:

Bass Trombonist Garrath hails from Saddleworth, a musically rich area in the heart of the Pennine hills!

Garrath started playing the bass trombone at the age of 10 and is an ex-member of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain and has played for many of Europes leading Brass Bands: the world famous Grimethorpe Colliery Band, the Yorkshire Building Society Band, the Williams Fairey band and BNFL amongst others.

Garrath is a proud graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, where he studied the bass trombone with Adrian Morris (Hallé Orchestra), Chris Houlding (Opera North), John Iveson (Covent Garden / BBC Symphony and Philip Jones Brass Ensemble), Ian Bousfield (Vienna Philharmonic), Ben Van Dijk (Rotterdam Philharmonic) and James Gourlay (International Tuba soloist), he also took part in masterclasses with Joseph Alessi (New York Philharmonic) and Dave Taylor (NY Recording Artist), Doug Yeo (Boston Symphony), Roger Bobo (International Tuba Soloist) and the world famous Canadian Brass. In his final year at the RNCM Garrath took part in the Art of Teaching scheme, where students are given all the neccesary tools to teach pupils of all ages how to play brass instruments - he also took part in the community music programme at the Whitworth Art gallery in Manchester, this scheme involved teaching larger groups of children - basing composition and performance workshops on gallery exhibits, this work counted towards their GCSE music coursework. Garrath has also had the pleasure of coaching chamber ensembles and brass sections of varying standards throughout the UK, Europe and further afield.

Upon leaving the RNCM Garrath has lead a busy and diverse musical life performing with many different ensembles. He has worked with the Hallé Orchestra, the Orchestra of the Swan, Hallé Brass 10tet, the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, The Syd Lawrence Orchestra, Andy Prior Big Band, Underdog Ensemble, Remix Ensemble (Portugal), Holland America Cruise Line Big Band, The Royal Variety Performance Orchestra in 2005 (Cardiff), 2007 (Liverpool) & 2009 (Blackpool), Dame Shirley Bassey's Orchestra, Ensemble11, Sinfonia Cymru, Welsh Chamber Orchestra, Bluejuice Big Band, Georgina Bromlow Big Band, Mark Gillbanks Big Band and the Nelson Riddle Tribute Orchestra, the Equale Trombone Quartet and the Northern Trombone Quartet. Pro Theatre Orchestra Productions include - Disneys: Beauty and the Beast, Guys and Dolls, West Side Story and 42nd Street as well as performing in the BBC Voice of Music Theatre Orchestra.

Closer to home Garrath taught brass instruments for local education authorities in Bradford, Leeds and Calderdale, and has previously been a cover trombone tutor at the Junior School of the Royal Northern College of Music, in Manchester.
Garrath has also previously worked as a guest brass tutor for MeninVonk music in Dublin, Ireland. In 2010 Garrath was awarded the PGCE music teaching qualification by the Huddersfield University and has worked as the Head of Music at Ecclesfield school in Sheffield before accepting his current role as the Head of Music at Saddleworth School - a position he enjoys immensely. In 2016 Garrath was awarded the Outstanding Achievement award by One Community UK at the annual Oldham Education awards for presenting outstanding opportunities for young people.

Outside of the classroom Garrath is the Bass trombonist and ensemble manager with Austonley, is the bass trombonist of Flat Cap Brass a funky, poppy, drum n brass seven piece band from Yorkshire and he is the bass trombonist of the Brigantes Orchestra in Sheffield.

Passionate about the future of brass playing in the North of England (and beyond) Garrath is committed to delivering high quality brass tuition to his students building excellent technique, designing practice programmes, setting / achieving musical goals and working on a variety of repertoire in preparation for examinations (ABRSM and Trinity) and conservatoire auditions.

Tutoring Experience:

Education Bradford - Brass Tutor
Calderdale Music Service - Brass Tutor
Guiseley Music Centre - Brass Tutor
Junior RNCM - Cover Trombone / Bass trombone Tutor
Private Tuition
Head of Music - Ecclesfield School, Sheffield (2010-2014)
Head of Music - Saddleworth School, Oldham (2014 - present)
Trombone Tutor - City of Sheffield Youth Orchestra (2022 - present)

Tutoring Approach:

I have a fun and friendly approach to my teaching with a big focus on quality of technique and improving playing standards.

Examination repertoire can be covered for both ABRSM and Trinity exam boards, preparation for conservatoire auditions is available as is small group brass ensemble tuition and coaching.

Online lessons via Skype and zoom are also available.

GCSE music and A level music tuition and support can also be offered.