Saltus Stage 9
LMc: It’s been a very exciting start to my time here at Saltus. I was delighted to discover that there was already a strong team of brass players here and was very keen to build on that. 8 new students have begun playing brass instruments this term ranging from Year 3 to Year 9 all of whom have made an excellent start which is very encouraging for the future of brass playing in the school. As a department we are committed to giving every student the opportunity to be part of an ensemble and this term have started 3 brand new ensembles to give less experienced students the chance to gain valuable chamber music skills; the Upper Primary Wind Ensemble, the Brass Ensemble and the Junior Jazz Band. All 3 groups are sounding great already and I’m looking forward to their debut performances in the New Year!
Miss McDonald hails from Glasgow in Scotland and studied trombone at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama before embarking on a career as a freelance musician and teacher. A founding member of the Worldbrass Ensemble based in Berlin and Bones Apart Trombone Quartet (see video below!) she has been teaching brass for more than nineteen years and has held a
number of posts as a Brass Teacher in Scotland
including most recently Loretto School and Fettes
College. In her free time she enjoys film, haute cusine,
fine wine and serenading her neighbours during tuba
practice.
Brass Focus
With a brand new Brass teacher, Miss Lorna McDonald, in situe and a variety of new ensembles added to the already bustling timetable at Saltus we find out more about the programme offered and the new addition to the team!
Brand New Ensembles 2013
Junior Jazz Band
Brass Ensemble
upper primary Wind Ensemble
Not only has Miss McDonald added to the extra-curricular at Saltus but she has also brought her arranging skills, providing custom arrangements for each of the ensembles, including the arrangement of "Oh When the Saints" filmed here during rehearsal, which was written, rehearsed performed within 2 weeks!