HAYES MUSIC, proud to be sponsoring Garrath for 2011/12 - Bass Trombone, Grimethorpe Colliery BandGarrath Beckwith hails from Saddleworth - the heart of Brass Band country in the Pennines. He began playing the Bass Trombone, (as it was the only instrument available!) at Dobcross Youth Band, and progressed to the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain - a very memorable time, where he had the opportunity to forge lifelong friendships and play under some of the finest conductors in the brass band movement. While studying Garrath went on to play for the Leyland Band, the Williams Fairey Band, and the Yorkshire Building Society Band.
Garrath is a graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, where he studied the Bass Trombone with Adrian Morris, Chris Houlding, John Iveson and James Gourlay.
During his time at the RNCM he was very fortunate to perform in master classes with some of the greatest brass players of our time; Joe Alessi (Principal Trombone New York Philharmonic Orchestra), Ian Bousfield (Principal Trombone Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra), Ben van Dijk (Bass Trombone Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra), and Dave Taylor (Bass Trombonist - New York recording artist).
These days Garrath leads a busy and varied life as a freelance bass trombonist, performing with a variety of ensembles all over the UK several times , Europe and further afield. Garrath has performed at the world famous Monte Carlo Sporting Club with Dame Shirley Bassey, and has taken part in 3 Royal Variety Performances - 2005 in Cardiff and 2007 in Liverpool and 2009 in Blackpool - performing with Bryn Terfel, Andrea Boccelli, McFly, Charlotte Church, Anastasia, Dame Shirley Bassey, Ozzie Osbourne, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Michael Ball, Katherine Jenkins, Seal and Bon Jovi.
Garrath regularly plays with the Andy Prior Big Band, the Bluejuice Big Band, and has recently played with the famous Syd Lawrence Orchestra. When called for Garrath plays Bass Trombone with the Hallé Orchestra, the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, the Orchestra of the Swan and the Remix Ensemble based in Portugal.
For 3 and a half years Garrath was the Bass Trombonist on the UK & International tour of the hit Disney musical "Beauty and the Beast", and has also played in the orchestras for "Guys and Dolls", "West Side Story", and "the Rat Pack - Live from Las Vegas", he has also performed live with Liverpool rock band the Wombats live at London's Albert Hall.
More recently Garrath has been more involved with musical education. He teaches people to play brass instruments, an experience he takes very seriously, as the trombone seems to be becoming an endangered species! Garrath has taught as a peripatetic brass tutor for Calderdale Music Service, Education Bradford and Guiseley Music Centre in Leeds, he also acts as a guest trombone tutor for the Junior School of the Royal Northern College of Music and a guest brass tutor for Menin Vonk Music in Dublin. Garrath studied for the Post Graduate Certificate in Education at the University of Huddersfield and is currently the Assistant Head of Music at Ecclesfield School in Sheffield.
In his spare time Garrath enjoys hiking, going to the cinema, drinking red wine, watching Yorkshire County Cricket Club in the summer months and Huddersfield Town in the winter months! He wishes he had more time to do all of the above!!!
Garrath was absolutely delighted to accept the invitation to join Grimethorpe Colliery Band in 2009 and enjoys playing to packed audiences all over the UK and further afield. He is also very proud that Grimethorpe have a successful link with Dobcross Youth Band - the ensemble that started his musical journey. A fantastic and worthwhile relaionship, enthusing future generations of the brass playing world - Long may it continue!
