John Fletcher (tubist)
Encyclopedia
John Fletcher was an English tuba
player. Along with composer Derek Bourgeois he played tuba in the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain. Both arrived at Cambridge where there was only one tuba position. Fletcher switched to horn, even performing Britten's Serenade for Tenor and Horn. He returned to the tuba
upon his graduation from studying Natural Sciences at Pembroke College, Cambridge
.
In autumn 1964, he moved to London, where he was appointed Principal Tuba of the BBC Symphony Orchestra
. He left the BBC Symphony Orchestra in 1966 to join the London Symphony Orchestra
(LSO). In 1966, he also joined the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble
(PJBE), with whom he played until 1986. Known to his friends as "Fletch", he was highly regarded as a tuba player and teacher. He taught many UK professional tubists, including Patrick Harrild, who succeeded Fletcher as the LSO's principal tuba. Fletcher also regularly tutored members of the National Youth Orchestra.
Fletcher's recordings included the Vaughan Williams Tuba Concerto
. Leonard Salzedo
dedicated his Sonata for tuba and piano, op. 93, to Fletcher.
In 1967, Fletcher married the mezzo-soprano Margaret Cable, and together they had a daughter and a son. In March 1987, he suffered a massive cerebral haemorrhage, and died that October. The John Fletcher Trust Fund was established after his death, in his memory, to provide bursaries for young brass players to attend the courses run by the National Youth Orchestra
, National Youth Brass band and other training centres.
Fletcher is discussed in the book 'To Speak for Ourselves' (ed. Alan Smythe), a collection of interviews with leading members of the London Symphony Orchestra.
Tuba
The tuba is the largest and lowest-pitched brass instrument. Sound is produced by vibrating or "buzzing" the lips into a large cupped mouthpiece. It is one of the most recent additions to the modern symphony orchestra, first appearing in the mid-19th century, when it largely replaced the...
player. Along with composer Derek Bourgeois he played tuba in the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain. Both arrived at Cambridge where there was only one tuba position. Fletcher switched to horn, even performing Britten's Serenade for Tenor and Horn. He returned to the tuba
Tuba
The tuba is the largest and lowest-pitched brass instrument. Sound is produced by vibrating or "buzzing" the lips into a large cupped mouthpiece. It is one of the most recent additions to the modern symphony orchestra, first appearing in the mid-19th century, when it largely replaced the...
upon his graduation from studying Natural Sciences at Pembroke College, Cambridge
Pembroke College, Cambridge
Pembroke College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England.The college has over seven hundred students and fellows, and is the third oldest college of the university. Physically, it is one of the university's larger colleges, with buildings from almost every century since its...
.
In autumn 1964, he moved to London, where he was appointed Principal Tuba of the BBC Symphony Orchestra
BBC Symphony Orchestra
The BBC Symphony Orchestra is the principal broadcast orchestra of the British Broadcasting Corporation and one of the leading orchestras in Britain.-History:...
. He left the BBC Symphony Orchestra in 1966 to join the London Symphony Orchestra
London Symphony Orchestra
The London Symphony Orchestra is a major orchestra of the United Kingdom, as well as one of the best-known orchestras in the world. Since 1982, the LSO has been based in London's Barbican Centre.-History:...
(LSO). In 1966, he also joined the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble
Philip Jones Brass Ensemble
The Philip Jones Brass Ensemble, founded in 1951 by trumpeter Philip Jones, was one of the first modern classical brass ensembles to be formed. The group played either as a quintet or as a ten-piece, for larger halls...
(PJBE), with whom he played until 1986. Known to his friends as "Fletch", he was highly regarded as a tuba player and teacher. He taught many UK professional tubists, including Patrick Harrild, who succeeded Fletcher as the LSO's principal tuba. Fletcher also regularly tutored members of the National Youth Orchestra.
Fletcher's recordings included the Vaughan Williams Tuba Concerto
Tuba Concerto in F minor (Vaughan Williams)
The Tuba Concerto in F minor by the British composer Ralph Vaughan Williams dates from 1954. Vaughan Williams wrote the concerto for Philip Catelinet, principal tubist of the London Symphony Orchestra , and Catelinet was the soloist in the premiere on 13 June 1954, with Sir John Barbirolli...
. Leonard Salzedo
Leonard Salzedo
Leonard Salzedo was an English composer and conductor of Spanish descent....
dedicated his Sonata for tuba and piano, op. 93, to Fletcher.
In 1967, Fletcher married the mezzo-soprano Margaret Cable, and together they had a daughter and a son. In March 1987, he suffered a massive cerebral haemorrhage, and died that October. The John Fletcher Trust Fund was established after his death, in his memory, to provide bursaries for young brass players to attend the courses run by the National Youth Orchestra
National Youth Orchestra
The National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain is an orchestra of 163 young musicians from the United Kingdom. The members of the orchestra are all aged between 13 and 19 years. The players are selected by auditions which take place in the autumn each year at various locations in the country...
, National Youth Brass band and other training centres.
Fletcher is discussed in the book 'To Speak for Ourselves' (ed. Alan Smythe), a collection of interviews with leading members of the London Symphony Orchestra.
External links
- ITEA website International Tuba-Euphonium Association, Committees and Lifetime Achievement members
- John Fletcher trust website Information on the trust