 Photo credit: Kiain Balloch / Lenscurve Photography |
Thomas Porter is a graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) where he was awarded a scholarship to study on the MMus Performance course. He is very fortunate to have David Hubbard (Principal Bassoon, Royal Scottish National Orchestra) as his principal study teacher and is relishing the challenges of performing at a professional level. He also studies Contrabassoon with Alan Warhurst (Orchestra of Scottish Opera) and Peter Wesley (BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra).
Since graduating Russell has been working as an extra musician with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Red Note Ensemble (bassoon & contrabassoon). He also plays with Camerata Ireland (bassoon) and recently toured Mexico with them and pianist Barry Douglas performing all of Beethoven's piano concertos. Thomas has also worked as a Graduate Music Assistant at Wells Cathderal School. While there he enjoyed being part of the bassoon section in their Symphony Orchestra and playing with the Wind Ensemble. Performances of Vaughan Williams' London Symphony and Stravinsky's Firebird Suite were a real highlight, as well as playing and recording a new commission by Mike Mower (Itchy Fingers) for the School's Wind Ensemble. Russell also founded the school's Bassoon Ensemble and very much enjoyed coaching and playing with these talented young musicians. Thomas's undergraduate degree was at the University of Bristol where he read Music and French, BA (Hons). While in Bristol Russell received Bassoon tuition from Robert Codd and Jaroslaw Augstyniak (Principal Bassoon, BBC National Orchestra of Wales). As part of his studies Thomas also spent a year in La Rochelle, France, studying at the Conservatoire de Music et de Danse de La Rochelle with bassoonist Roland Ferrand. Highlights include performing Vivaldi's Bassoon Concerto in B-flat, RV 503, as part of France's national celebrations 'Fête de la Musique'. |
Thomas also plays with wind quintet Sirocco Winds delivering recitals and educational workshops combining Classical music and more popular arrangements to excite and engage. (Listen.) A trio within the ensemble (fl, cl, bsn) are musicians with Live Music Now! Scotland and perform throughout the UK.
Year Abroad - France. (2008-09)
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Thomas spent his year abroad at the Conservatoire de Musique et de Danse in La Rochelle studying with Roland Ferrand. During this year Russell held the position of principal bassoon with the Conservatoire’s orchestra, and in various other small chamber ensembles, including the bassoon ensemble.
There was also plenty of opportunity for solo playing, either at events organised by the Conservatoire or in public. This included a very memorable concert held to celebrate the reopening of a magnificent church, l'Église St. Sauveur, right in the heart of La Rochelle. Outside the Conservatoire, Thomas played with a local string ensemble, A Pierce, and at the end of his year abroad he performed Vivaldi’s Bassoon Concert in B flat, RV 503, with this ensemble in four different concerts. This included two concerts as part of France's national celebrations 'Fête de la Musique', a lively street music festival which takes place in towns all over France. During the summer Thomas attended a music course in Vivoin, near Le Mans. A week full of fun and music, with some great concerts too. One of which was in fancy dress - as you can see above! Russell played as part of the bassoon ensemble, conducted by Roland Ferrand, performing arrangements of many works including Handel, Berlioz, and Piazolla. |
 Year Abroad - France. |
University of Bristol. (2006-10)
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During his time at the University of Bristol in 2006 Russell's playing improved year on year. After auditioning in his first year Russell was made principal bassoonist of the University's top orchestra, the Bristol University Symphony Orchestra, conducted by John Pickard as well as the principal bassoonist of the New Music Ensemble conducted by Neal Farwell.
Highlights over the four years include playing the famous solo from Verdi's Requiem, Shostakovich's 5th Symphony, and a performance of Elgar's 3rd Symphony, which Anthony Payne hailed as the most moving performance since its première.  Bristol University Symphony Orchestra. |
 Prof. John Pickard Outside of the University Russell was selected to be part of a newly commissioned silent film project by composer Jean Hasse with performances in Bristol and The Barbican Theatre, London.
Russell also played as part of the 'South-Western Ensemble' giving a performance of Gavin Bryars' "Jesus’ Blood Never Failed Me Yet" in St. George's, Bristol, with Gavin Bryars playing double bass as part of the orchestra in the concert. While at the University of Bristol Russell was able to benefit from the tutoring of Robert Codd and Jaroslaw Augustyniak (principal BBC National Orchestra of Wales) as well as from other visiting professionals invited to give masterclasses or to perform as part of the lunchtime concert series. (Photo credit: Khalil Musa)
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Ulster Youth Orchestra. (2004-09)
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Russell Porter has also played nationally with both the Ulster Youth Orchestra of Northern Ireland (UYO) and the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland (NYOI).
 Takuo Yuasa During the intensive UYO residential summer course Russell was able to profit from the tuition of bassoonist John Orford, and has played under the baton of many great conductors including: Takuo Yuasa, Vasily Petrenko, André de Ridder, and Garry Walker.
Highlights include: Berlioz, Symphony Fantastqiue; Shostakovich, Symphony No. 10; Stravinsky, Firebird Suite; Strauss, Four Last Songs, (Mary Nelson); Racmaninoff, Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini, (Michael McHale). |
In 2008 Russell, and the Ulster Youth Orchestra, took part in both the Young Euro Classic Festival in Berlin and the Kultersommer Nordhessen Festival in Kassel, Germany. They gave a performance in the Berlin Konzerthaus which included Shostakovich's 5th Symphony, and Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini with piano soloist Michael McHale (pictured above), all under the baton of Takuo Yuasa.
In 2007 Russell also successfully auditioned for the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland (NYOI) and took part in their Christmas course conducted by Nicholas Bambert. A varied programme included Sibeluis' Violin Concerto in D minor with Nicola Benedetti as the soloist.  Michael McHale, Rachmaninov, Berlin Konzerthaus. (Photo credit: Kai Bernhart)
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