Brass

Baldwin, Joseph

Joseph Baldwin teaches trumpet, cornet and trombone at Bedford Modern School. He is a recent graduate of music performance from the University of Chichester and studied multiple brass instruments during his time there. His participation in a wide range of ensembles from brass quintets, orchestras, and brass bands has led to him playing in many prestigious events in different styles. Some examples are playing in the orchestra at the ‘Goodwood Festival of Speed’, which was aired on live TV for Sky Sports and ITV and playing first trombone in the dance band for the Torquay Riveria Swing Festival two years in a row, a hugely popular 1920s and 30s dance event in the southwest of England.

Joseph continues to perform regularly and last year he represented the UK in the European Youth Brass Banding championships in Palanga, Lithuania, and after coming in second place, he has been invited back to represent the country again this May in Stavanger, Norway. Closer to home, he also continues to play in musicals, concerts, and more!

Brendan Thomas, a teacher of the French Horn at BMS, studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and was a member of both the European Community Youth Orchestra and Bedfordshire Youth Orchestra. Just after finishing his studies, Brendan joined the BBC Symphony Orchestra, playing in several Last Night Of The Proms. Brendan left the BBC and established a diverse freelance career, in all genres of music. He has toured all over the world with the London Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and The Philharmonia, as well as playing in more than 70 West End musicals and regularly at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Glyndebourne, and English National Opera. Brendan has worked with orchestras abroad, particularly in Dublin, Brussels and Denmark, as well as appearing with SDR Rundfunk Big Band in Stuttgart and the Syd Lawrence Orchestra. He has performed as a soloist with several orchestras around the country, playing Mozart, Strauss, Britten and Schumann.

Other highlights of Brendan’s career include performing on George Michael’s last ever UK performance, recording film soundtracks of Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Cliffhanger, and Harry Potter amongst others, as well as being a named Artist with Laura Mvula, and playing at the O2 for the 25th anniversary of Les Misérables, Carnegie Hall, and Madison Square Garden with Andrea Bocelli. As well as teaching at BMS, Brendan has coached the Cambridge University Symphony Orchestra, Royal College of Music Symphony Orchestra, Bedfordshire Youth Orchestra and Trinity Laban Orchestra.