GALSI COURSE 2022
Join us for the Gender and the Large and Shiny Instruments young persons’ brass and
percussion course: 24th & 25th October, 10.30 - 16.30 at Trinity Laban, London.
WHO IS IT FOR?: This two day course is open to anyone who plays a brass or percussion instrument, is from age 8 - 25 years old, and identifies as female or non-binary. Expect a fun and interactive course that celebrates playing large and shiny instruments!
TUTORS: The course is being led by brass and percussion tutors who are leaders within the
profession, including trumpeter Imogen Whitehead, trombonist Jane Salmon, and percussionists Elsa Bradley and Elaine So.
ACTIVITIES: The participants will be split into junior and senior ensembles. The junior ensemble will learn new skills on their instruments, and work on an ensemble piece for a final performance at the end of the two days. The senior group have the opportunity to take part in a masterclass, play a solo at the performance, take part in panels and discussions about working in the music industry, and act as mentors to the junior group - finishing in playing side by side in our culmination piece!
REQUIRED STANDARD: This course is designed for a range of standards. Members of the junior group should have been playing their instrument for at least a year, and have their own instrument for the brass players, or sticks for the percussionists.
The senior group is appropriate for students up to conservatoire level, and those who are interested in having a career in music.
SIGN UP: If you would like to sign up yourself or for your child, please fill in this form.
The deadline for sign up has been extended to 19th October.
Note: participants must be available for both days of the course.
COST: The recommended fee is £75 for the two days; however if you are not able to contribute the full amount don't worry, pay what you can, and sign-up and come. Equally, if you are able to contribute more towards someone else's place, we gratefully welcome that.
We look forward to meeting you soon!
Meet the Tutors
Imogen
Whitehead
Imogen Whitehead is a rising star on the British trumpet scene. Since graduating from the Royal Academy of Music with First Class Honours, she has been in demand as both a soloist and freelance orchestral musician. Imogen has premiered a number of solo works, including pieces by Stephen Dodgson and Sally Beamish, and has undertaken private study and masterclasses with renowned soloists Tine Thing Helseth and Håkan Hardenberger.
Imogen regularly performs as Guest Principal Trumpet with English National Opera, Opera North, Aurora Orchestra and Britten Sinfonia. She has also recently worked with the London Symphony Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and City of London Sinfonia, as well as being a regular deputy for Les Misérables in the West-End.
Upcoming engagements include a tour of Berlioz’s Symphony Fantastique (from memory) with Aurora Orchestra, a concerto performance with Cheltenham Symphony Orchestra and a tour to the Netherlands with French ensemble Les Talens Lyrique.
Jane Salmon
Jane enjoys a vibrant career as a performer and an educator. She is in demand in both orchestral and theatre ensembles, with recent engagements including the brass-focussed production of Carousel at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.
She is the low brass specialist at Guildhall Young Artists Centre for Young Musicians, London and holds positions in leading independent schools. Always driven by her passion for performing and advocacy for her instrument, she been invited to work with the Royal Opera House’s Learning & Participation department, London Symphony Orchestra’s Discovery programme and many other celebrated music education projects.
Elaine So
Elaine made her solo debut in BBC Prom 22 in the Royal Albert Hall performing a new work “Dolphin Dance” by Dominique Le Gendre. She features in the upcoming New short film project at Loughborough Farm performing a new work composed by Adam Walters and performs regularly with the Paraorchestra.
Elaine has previously performed at Shakespeare’s Globe for a run of Richard II and recorded with Ancient Academy of Music for a UK recording premiere of Semele by John Eccles.
She has taught percussion and drums at Bryanston School, Sir William Perkins School for Girls and currently she is a member of staff at Forest School London.
Elaine first studied in Uppingham School as a senior music scholar, afterward she trained in Guildhall School of Music and Drama for both her undergraduate and postgraduate and received Concert Recital Diploma for her final recital.
In her spare time Elaine loves playing tennis and spending all day in her pyjamas.
Elsa Bradley
Elsa Bradley is a London-based percussionist and timpanist originating from the green hills of Yorkshire. She earned first-class degrees from King's College, London and the Royal College of Music, and now freelances with many of the UK’s top orchestras and chamber ensembles.
Elsa is a member of the Jess Gillam Ensemble and co-runs her own percussion collective Abstruckt. She has worked at theatres including Sadlers Wells, Shakespeare Rose Theatre and has been a deputy on touring shows such as The Lion King, Miss Saigon and Carousel. She also plays the hammered dulcimer and Hungarian cimbalom, which has taken her to early music festivals with the band Joglaresa right through to the BBC Proms. Alongside many radio appearances and TV/film soundtracks, Elsa features prominently on the albums of Jess Gillam, Voces8, O/Modernt and Erland Cooper.
In more recent years, Elsa has become more involved as an educator and workshop leader. She collaborates regularly with the Multi-Story Orchestra and the Benedetti Foundation, and tutors with The National Children’s Orchestra and the National Youth Orchestras.
If she’s not playing music Elsa loves to be outdoors exploring – either on a bike or running around a field with her hilarious labradoodle!