The ANAM Trombone Quartet is about to set out on an exciting journey to Frankfurt, where they will be performing at the second round of the LITTIN International Trombone Quartet Competition. It is hosted by the Hoch Conservatorium and brings together the best young trombonists from around the world. In other words, it’s a great opportunity for ANAM trombonists to represent Australia internationally as well as to take their musical journey to the next level.
The quartet is made up of four ANAM musicians, each bringing their unique strengths to the ensemble. Jeremy Mazurek, a third-year musician from Perth, studied at the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts before joining ANAM. Harrison Steele-Holmes, from Geelong, is in his second year and previously studied at the Queensland Conservatorium. First-years Max Gregg and Angus Pace come from Sydney and Melbourne, respectively, rounding out this talented group. Together, under the mentorship of ANAM Trombone Faculty Colin Prichard – also principal trombone of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra – they’ve been preparing intensely for the competition.
They’ve already aced the preliminary round with recorded performances, and now they’re polishing their repertoire, which includes works by Bozza and Sparke, along with Heaven’s Gate, a new piece commissioned for this competition specifically by Christian Lindberg. Tackling a piece without any previous recordings to guide them has been a thrilling challenge for the quartet.
To help them get to the competition, the quartet ran a fundraising campaign to help cover flights and other expenses which has allowed them to fully focus on their performance and putting their best foot forward in Frankfurt.
As Jeremy puts it: “We are incredibly humbled and thrilled by the overwhelming support we’ve received from the community. It's truly heartwarming to witness the enduring love for chamber music in Australia firsthand. We can't wait to showcase our efforts and bring the spirit of Australian music to Europe!”
This competition is more than just a performance — it’s a learning experience that will ripple through Australia’s music community. When the quartet returns, they plan to share their knowledge through workshops and performances, inspiring the next generation of musicians.
Words by Oxana Sitchuk.
First published in volume 53 of Music Makers.