Trombone

The trombone class at the Haute école de musique de Genève (HEM) offers a particularly stimulating learning environment.

In addition to the teaching provided by the permanent professors, renowned soloists and chamber musicians as well as experienced teachers, students in the HEM trombone class benefit from the input of internationally renowned artists, who are regularly invited to give masterclasses.

The particularly stimulating learning environment values cultural diversity. The atmosphere is one that favours human contact and new friendships. Besides the individual classes, there is a large number and variety of opportunities to play in a group: orchestra sessions, chamber music, brass ensembles such as the HEM Red Flag brass band, and multi-disciplinary projects. Simulations of orchestra contests are also regularly held.

With a view to future professional careers, it is possible to study the tenor trombone, bass trombone, or Wechsel Posaune at the HEM. In addition, it is possible to learn the sackbut, the precursor to the modern trombone. Finally, the HEM also offers students the opportunity to experiment with avant-garde music through amplification, the use of effects pedals, etc.

Thanks to the close ties that the HEM maintains with the region’s professional ensembles, our students have numerous opportunities to play in renowned ensembles such as the Orchestre de la Suisse romande (OSR), the Orchestre de Chambre de Genève (OCG) or the Ensemble de musique contemporaine Contrechamps. The music scene in French-speaking Switzerland, in particular its rich fabric of fanfare ensembles, mean that there are ample opportunities for engagement, to enrich their practice and develop their network.

Teachers

Andrea Bandini

Professor of Trombone

Andrea Bandini began his music studies in 1973 at the Music School of Siena in Italy and obtained his trombone diploma in 1980 at the Luigi Cherubini Conservatory of Music in Florence. In 1978 he joined the Italian Youth Orchestra under the direction of Franco Ferrara. In 1981, he decided to perfect his skills at the Geneva Conservatory of Music in the class of Roland Schnorhk, where he obtained the 1st prize for virtuosity with distinction in 1985. The same year, he won the 1st prize at the Riddes Competition, the 3rd prize at the Markneuenkirchen Competition and the following year the bronze medal at the Bordeaux International Festival of Young Soloists. Since 1986, Andrea Bandini has been a member of the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande and has been appointed solo trombone until 2011. From 1984 to 2008 he was a member of the contemporary music ensemble, Contrechamps, an ensemble with which he was fortunate enough to rub shoulders with the greatest contemporary music composers of the 20th and 21st centuries. Invited as a jury member in the most important international trombone competitions, Andrea Bandini has been teaching at the Haute école de musique de Genève since 1999. Andrea Bandini is also regularly invited to participate in masterclasses and brass festivals throughout the world. He is also a consultant for the " Free-flow Valve " system for trombone, invented by Rene Hagmann, owner of the " Servette-Musique " shop in Geneva. Andrea Bandini bought his first slide trombone and his first classical music record in Florence in 1976. It was a recording of the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande by Ernest Ansermet. After having listened to it many times, Andrea Bandini announced to his father that he would one day perform with this orchestra.... 10 years later, he joins the OSR. Learn more about Andrea Bandini  

Antonello Mazzucco

Professeur de trombone basse

Antonello Mazzucco graduated from the Conservatorio di Santa Cecilia in Rome. At the same time, he attended the Konservatorium für Musik in Bern, studying under P. Bucher. In the United States, he studied with C. Vernon, bass trombonist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, A. Jacobs, brass professor, and J. Alessi, principal trombonist with the New York Philharmonic. In Italy, he continued his studies with A. Conti, principal trombonist with the Florentine May, now principal trombonist with the Accademia di Santa Cecilia. For about three years, he played in the Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana as a bass trombonist, and for short periods with the Filarmonica della Scala and the Accademia di Santa Cecilia in Rome. In 1995, he won the competition for tenor trombone and bass trombone with the Rai National Symphony Orchestra, where he still works today. He has been working for over ten years at the Fondazione Fossano Musica, a music institute where he also organises masterclasses with international teachers. He is active in the field of chamber music as a member of the Spilimbrass quintet, with whom he has also recorded a CD.