The Slidin’ About Trombone Quartet is an experienced brass chamber music ensemble based in the UK. The quartet, which has recently renewed its pBone ambassador programme, comprises four talented trombonists.
They met at the Royal Northern College of Music and since forming in 2010, have added many valuable assets to the world of music including; compositions, arrangements, and their well-renowned educational sessions.
Steve, Paul, Nick, and Matt passionately promote the benefits of Music education in school as they believe it not only incorporates creativity but it helps pupils to share exciting new experiences. Slidin’ About is currently the pBone Apprentice Quartet and provides a variety of workshops using their skills as instrumental teachers.
Their typical beginner’s workshop will begin with a 30-minute interactive performance for up to 120 pupils. The performance guides pupils through the history of music. The quartet then begins to tutor a series of groups in another 30-minute practical focusing on playing the trombone. However, for more advanced musicians Slidin’ About offers extended workshops that focus on everything trombone and it can last between one and three hours!
The Quartet in addition is able to provide weekly sessions to follow up on aspects of group performance.
Slidin’ About has worked with many schools and groups including; Macclesfield Youth Brass Band, Norfolk Park School, Sheffield, and most recently Stanley Grove Primary School, Manchester.
Chris Fower
As an undergraduate Chris studied Jazz at Leeds College of Music and then became a member of the Advanced Studies, post-graduate performers course at the Royal Academy of Music and Principal Bass Trombone with the European Community Youth Orchestra under Claudio Abbado. He then spent 25 years as a busy freelance performer based in both London and the North of England working with a wide variety of ensembles and artists, including being a member of Grimethorpe Colliery Band, The British Philharmonic Orchestra, Dame Shirley Bassey’s Orchestra and the Creative Jazz Orchestra.
Alongside this Chris has worked extensively in all areas of music education, latterly as a leading deliverer and trainer in informal, large group practice. This included roles as Leader in Wider Opportunities at Hertfordshire Music Service, Leader of Instrumental Development for Derbyshire City and County Music Partnership and as a face to face trainer on the Trinity Guildhall/Open University “Whole Class Instrumental Learning” national training program.
He became a key member of the team that created pBone, the plastic trombone in 2011/12 and has been involved with pBone Music in various roles since then. Chris is currently the Director of Creativity and Innovation for the company, a role that includes overseeing product development and improvement, quality and education.
