June Emerson Wind Music: Launchpad Prize Winner's Profile No.1: Elysium Brass

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Launchpad Prize Winner's Profile No.1: Elysium Brass

Ollie Haines - trumpet

Kaitlin Wild - trumpet

Alex Willett - horn

Ian Sankey - trombone

Chris Claxton - tuba

BIOGRAPHY

Elysium Brass is a brass quintet formed from students currently studying at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. Formed in 2013 the individual players have a vast amount of experience in many different genres and styles of music and have played in venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, Barbican and Bridgewater Hall as well abroad in France, Hong Kong, Germany, India, Luxembourg to name a few.

As well as concerts, Elysium Brass have performed in a number of interactive educational workshops to primary schools in and outside of London inspired by our participation in the 'Decoda Project' 2014.

Elysium Brass were the Guildhall's winner of the June Emerson Wind Music Launchpad Competition 2015 and have since been fortunate to be guest artists at Festival de Torella de Montrí in Girona, Spain and guest artists at the Stogumber Festival 2015.

THE PLAYERS

Ollie Haines is a trumpeter, pianist, composer, arranger and teacher based in the South West but living in the heart of central London. In 2012 he was awarded a DfE scholarship to study at specialist music school Wells Cathedral School. After two fruitful years studying all styles of music he was awarded a place at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London and now studies with Anne McAneney (LPO), Noel Langley (Jazz Freelance), Stephen Keavy (Natural trumpet and historical performance).

Kaitlin Wild started learning the cornet age 5, and went on to study the trumpet aged 11, when she was awarded a music scholarship to Rugby School. She gained entry into the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain aged 13, during which she was awarded the McCann cornet award in 2012, and gained a scholarship to study at The Guildhall in 2013 where she studies with Anne McAneney (LPO) and Paul Beniston (LPO). Kaitlin currently plays with many London Orchestras, including Arch Sinfonia and Orion Orchestra.

Alex Willett started playing the horn aged 16 and quickly progressed gaining a place at Guildhall in 2013. Alex now studies with Jonathon Lipton (LSO) and is a busy performer with some of London's top student orchestras including the London International Orchestra and Arch Sinfonia.

Ian Sankey studied trombone at St. Marys Music School in Edinburgh with John Kenny where his passion for music grew. After deciding to pursue a career in music he auditioned to music college and began his studies at Guildhall where he now a student of Eric Crees and Simon Wills.

Chris Claxton started playing tuba at the age of 12 and after progressing quickly went to study at Wells Cathedral School under the tuition of Sam Elliot (BBC SO) and Alan Hutt. While at Wells he performed with the National Youth Wind Orchestra and European Union Youth Wind Orchestra both in the principal tuba seat. In 2013 Chris was awarded a full scholarship to Guildhall School of Music and Drama and currently studies with Patrick Harrild (LSO).