SoloEuphonium.co.uk - Site of Rory Cartmell

Biography - Rory Cartmell

I started playing the Baritone at 8 years old. The Brass teacher at my primary school happened to be Michael Howard former principal euphonium of the Desford Colliery Band and 2nd euphonium of the British Tuba Quartet. With Michael Howard as my teacher I passed my Grade 6 when I was twelve.

I then transferred to Euphonium at 13. As Michael Howard decided to move away from teaching I changed to the Tuba player - Rachel Coles who also encouraged me to start playing the trombone. By this time I was playing 2nd Euphonium with the Harborough Band, 2nd Euph with Northamptonshire County Youth Brass Band (CYBB) and 2nd Baritone with the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain (NYBBGB). In the summer of 2005 I toured Italy with the CYBB. During this period I was truly lucky enough to have a couple of lessons with an idol of mine Trevor Groom as well as attending master classes with Steven Mead, Dave Thornton, David Childs, Roger Webster, James Gourlay and Joe Alessi.

In September of 2006 my teacher changed again to Keith Muggeridge - former principal baritone of the Fairey Band. At the same time I was awarded a scholarship for advanced tuition with David Childs at the Birmingham Conservatoire. In 2006 I was promoted to Solo Euphonium with the CYBB, 1st Baritone with the NYBBGB and moved to Towcester Studio Band on Solo Euph. I had the opportunity to take part in a professional CD recording with Northampton Orchestral Winds and in the first part of a recording with the NYBB-GB new CD with Bramwell Tovey and Jens Lindemann.

When I was 16 I completed both my Grade 8 with high honours, and my euphonium performance diploma from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (dipABRSM). Then early on in 2007 I was invited to join The Virtuosi GUS Band on 2nd Euph for the Grand Shield Contest. I 've now joined GUS on 2nd Euph next to Rob Woods. In 2007 I also spent some time recording for the second part of the NYBBGB CD with soloist Ian Bousfield as well as recording on Polish national radio with the CYBB and on BBC Radio 2's Listen to the Band with GUS.

In 2008 I passed my Grade 8 Trombone with distinction with my teacher Brad Turnbull and moved onto Euphonium with the NYBBGB.