TRACK5.CO.UK | CHRIS SCHMIDT

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Music

Chris Schmidt, orchestral freelance tenor and alto trombonist.

A musical background

I studied trombone at Chetham's School of Music, Manchester, under Chris Houlding, followed by the Guildhall School of Music, London, under Dudley Bright, Eric Crees, Simon Wills, and Peter Gane.

Solo experience includes performing my own orchestration of Guilmant's Morceau Symphonique with my county youth orchestra and, as a student, Frank Martin's Ballade for Trombone with the Guildhall Chamber Orchestra. I gained early experience during my time at Guildhall freelancing with various London orchestras at many of the capitals' major concert venues including under Mstislav Rostropovich at the Barbican.

However, post college, my professional direction diverted towards photography and design and my trombone spent many years in its case.


Returning to music

The COVID years provided an opportunity to return to my instrument and I've since been incredibly fortunate to dep with the London Philharmonic Orchestra at Glyndebourne and on a number of occassions with LPO Brass at Glynde.

In 2024 I premiered a work by Polo Piatti for solo trombone and orchestra with Hastings Sinfonia, and I regularly freelance with various orchestras across the South East, including Hastings Philharmonic Orchestra.

Previous jazz and big band experience includes with the Guildhall Big Band under Scott Stroman, fronted by trumpet legend Randy Brecker at Ronnie Scott's and, more recently, with the London Gay Big Band at Clapham Grand, London, and the Theatre Royal, Brighton.


Freelance Trombonist

Now based in Eastbourne, East Sussex, I am available for work as a freelance trombonist including orchestral tenor/alto, session work, show and big band etc. Please contact me via chris@track5.co.uk or by phone on +44 (0)7747 635577.

Orchestral Highlights

  • LEHÁR Merry Widow
    London Philharmonic Orchestra
    John Wilson, Glyndebourne
     
  • MOZART Mass in C minor
  • BEETHOVEN Symphony no.9 (alto)
  • PUCCINI Messa di Gloria
  • DVORÁK Stabat Mater
    Hastings Philharmonic
     
  • RAVEL Bolero
  • MAHLER Symphony no.5
  • BARTÓK Concerto for Orchestra
  • STRAVINSKY Firebird
  • SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony no.10
  • ORFF Carmina Burana
    Sussex Symphony, principal
     
  • BIZET Carmen
  • DONIZETTI L'Elisir d'Amore
    Opera South East, principal
     
  • SCHUMANN Symphony No.3
    Eastbourne SO, principal
     
  • MOZART Requiem
    Brighton Chamber Choir Orchestra
     
  • MOZART Mass in C minor
    Orpheus Choir, alto
     

© 2025 Chris Schmidt / track5.co.uk

  • email: contact@track5.co.uk