I am a Trombonist and Composer. I am currently working with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra as the Trombone Fellow, and freelancing with local ensembles. I also enjoy teaching at several schools around the city. I graduated with a BMus (hons) from NZSM in 2016, and spent two years after this at the Australian National Academy of Music in Melbourne. Here I won an award for best programme in a solo recital, for my recital featuring five original works for trombone. My most memorable concert was my first concert with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. A joint performance between the SSO and Wynton Marsarlis, with his Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. I also enjoy brewing my extremely tasty signature beer, the "Dale Vail Pale Ale" in my spare time.
Taming the Tasman was composed with funding from Creative New Zealand for the Tasman Trio, made up of musicians from New Zealand and Australia. This piano trio is autobiographical of my experiences moving to and living in Australia, and has a lot of jazz influences. This was performed by Laura Barton (Violin), Daniel Smith (Cello), and Peter De Jager (Piano).
Psyche - Concerto for Trombone and Brass Band was composed for my final recital at the Australian National Academy of Music. For the purposes of a solo recital, I prepared a multi-tracked backing tape of the brass band with two of my friends from the school, Sophie Spencer (Trumpet), and Christopher Grace (Trumpet).
Mt. Erebus for Trombone Quartet was composed for my final recital at the Australian National Academy of Music. It depicts the crash, devestation, and heart break caused by the famous Mt. Erebus disaster. This was performed by myself, Pius Choi, Jackson Bankovic, and Simon Baldwin.
I have just finished composing a work for brass quintet called "Breath of Freedom". I hope to record it with my friends and colleagues in Sydney in the next few months. I am also working on a brass band major work for the Flixton Brass Band in the UK, most likely to be performed as a contest work.