TRACK5.CO.UK | CHRIS SCHMIDT

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Music

Chris Schmidt, orchestral freelance tenor and alto trombonist.

A musical background

I studied trombone at Chetham's School of Music, Manchester, under Chris Houlding, followed by the Guildhall School of Music, London, under Dudley Bright, Eric Crees, Simon Wills, and Peter Gane.

As a teenager, I performed Guilmant's Morceau Symphonique with my county youth orchestra and, as a student, freelanced with various London orchestras at most major concert venues - including under Mstislav Rostropovich - and performed Frank Martin's Ballade for Trombone with the Guildhall Chamber Orchestra.

However, post college, my professional direction diverted towards photography and design and my trombone spent many years in its case.

Returning to music

The COVID years provided an opportunity to return to my instrument and I've since been incredibly fortunate to have depped with the London Philharmonic Orchestra at Glyndebourne and with LPO Brass at Glynde.

I premiered a work by Polo Piatti for solo trombone and orchestra with Hastings Sinfonia in 2024, and regularly freelance with various orchestras across the South East, including Hastings Philharmonic Orchestra.

Previous jazz and big band experience includes with the Guildhall Big Band under Scott Stroman, fronted by trumpet legend Randy Brecker at Ronnie Scott's, London. And more recently, with the London Gay Big Band in their Liza with a 'Z' show at Clapham Grand, London, and the Theatre Royal, Brighton.

Freelance Trombonist

Now based in Eastbourne, East Sussex, I am available for work as a freelance trombonist including orchestral tenor/alto, session work, show and big band etc. Please contact me via chris@track5.co.uk or by phone on +44 (0)7747 635577.

Forthcoming...
RAVEL Bolero
Sussex SO / 4 October 2026

Recent Highlights

  • LEHÁR Merry Widow
    LPO / John Wilson, Glyndebourne
     
  • DVORÁK Stabat Mater
    Hastings Philharmonic / Marcio da Silva
     
  • SCHUMANN Symphony No.3
    Eastbourne SO, principal
     
  • MOZART Requiem
    Brighton Chamber Choir Orchestra, alto
     
  • BIZET Carmen
    Opera South East, principal
     
  • MOZART Mass in Cm
    Orpheus Choir, alto
     
  • MAHLER Symphony no.5
  • STRAVINSKY Firebird
  • SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony no.10
    Sussex SO, principal
     

© 2025 Chris Schmidt / track5.co.uk

  • email: contact@track5.co.uk