Ross Learmonth
Key Facts
- Instrument: Trombone
- Groups: Total Brass
- Website: www.totalbrass.co.uk
Biography
Ross graduated from the Royal Academy of Music with a First Class Honours Degree in 2013. Whilst there he studied with Mark Templeton, Matt Gee, Jim Maynard and Ian Bousfield. He took up the trombone aged 9 and three years later was accepted to the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (now Royal Scottish Conservatoire) Junior Academy, learning with Alistair Sinclair from the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. During his time here, Ross was given the opportunity to perform his first concerto with the orchestra following his success in an internal competition.
After five years at the RSAMD, Ross was accepted into the Royal Academy of Music. During his time at the Academy he was principal of all relevant ensembles with leading conductors such as the late Sir Colin Davis, Semyon Bychkov and Christian Thielemann. He won the Worshipful Company of Musicians Brass Ensemble prize in three consecutive years, the second year with his well-established quintet, Total Brass. Ross has also performed in masterclasses with Jorgen van Rijen (Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra), Joe Allesi (New York Philharmonic Orchestra) and Helen Vollam (BBC Symphony Orchestra).
Ross is currently on trial for 2nd Trombone position at the Orchestra of the English National Ballet. As well as this trial, Ross has also freelanced with some of the UK’s leading orchestras, in particular the London Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. He is also a member of the Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester, one of the world’s leading youth orchestras and has performed with them throughout Europe including performances at the Salzburg Music Festival and in many of Europe’s greatest concert venues including the Musikverein in Vienna and the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. Recently, Ross has been awarded a place on the London Philharmonic Orchestra’s Foyle Future First Development Programme where he recieves tuition and guidance on all aspects of orchestral and ensemble playing from the orchestra’s own musicians.
As well as orchestral music, Ross has a keen interest in chamber music and performs regularly with Total Brass. Session work has included performing with Sir Elton John and his band at the London Palladium as part of the very first BRITs Icon Award and at the iTunes Festival at the Roundhouse.