The Bradford City of culture provided a unique opportunity for me to play my tenor trombone, it is about 25 years since I had last played in any orchestra or brass band, so I could not resist the challenge when I saw the call from CoMA (Contemporary Music for All) for musicians to participate in a performance of March by composer Uri Agnon for the 2025 Biennial Contemporary Music Festival.

The performance of the March was advertised as “a powerful and joyful exploration of the rhythms, dynamics, and emotions of political marching, blending monologue, mass protest and an absurdist game show”.

I had admitted my playing was a little rusty when I applied to join the orchestra, so I was delighted and thrilled when I received an acceptance within a couple of days, together a download link with the music and instruction video. The score was a complicated set of instructions where the musicians were presented with questions and options to choose. There were just 3 rehearsals in the fortnight before the performance at the St. George’s Hall in Bradford. I felt that the project was ambitious, and was lacking confidence in my ability, I was not sure whether I would be able see it through to the end.

Although I felt very nervous about attending the first rehearsal. When I arrived the event organisers made me feel welcome, and I was surprised to see many older musicians participating alongside music students, so I didn’t feel my involvement was out of place. The rehearsals were intense, and challenging. I was impressed with the Conductor, Matthew Hardy’s enthusiasm to motivate and quickly identify problems in the music and tightening up all the parts.

The composer, Uri Agnon was present at each rehearsal, he seemed very calm and laid back about the progress being made towards the final performance which was to be aired on BBC Radio.

Elisabeth Gunawan was the solo narrator for the performance, she was constantly working through her lines throughout the rehearsal, and even in the breaks. In the performance she was the star of the show being front of stage delivering her lines with such power, conviction and emotion the effect was electrifying.

The day of the performance, my confidence was at a high point, for the first time I thought would be able see the project to its conclusion. The orchestra now augmented with additional instrumentalists including Tabla, Bodhran, Erhu, Electric Guitar, Harp and Upright Piano. Appropriate musical forces in keeping with modern times and a multi-cultural city like Bradford. Everyone’s performance seemed to step up in energy for final show, maybe it was the excitement of playing in front of an audience in a grand theatre like St. George’s Hall, walking the same stage that many famous performers had stood there before.

The whole experience over the fortnight allowed me to have lots of conversations with other musicians it really inspired me to seek out other musicians, local orchestra and bands.  I hadn’t realised until talking about playing the trombone that I realised my instrument was approaching its 50^th birthday having been given as a gift from my dad when it was clear that I was committed to studying music.

My trombone was manufactured by the Boosey and Hawkes company who no longer make brass instruments, so to find antique instrument in regular use is a now rare occurrence. I am one of the few left-handed trombonists in the country that was able to make my personal contribution to the diverse range of individuals that were involved in the performance of the March held in Bradford.