Young Voice - Kyle MacCorquodale
Twenty-year-old Kyle MacCorquodale - bass trombonist from Carluke in South Lanarkshire - may belong to the low end of the brass family, but his flourishing performing career continues to scale new heights. He has just been crowned Scottish Solo Champions and has reached the Semi-final of the BBC Radio 2 Young Brass Award, as Mark Good finds out...
MG: How did you get involved in playing a brass instrument?
It was quite weird... I started on accordion when I was five and, from there, transitioned to keyboard, then to saxophone. After seeing a wind orchestra concert, I immediately wanted to take up the tuba, but I was too small to play one at that stage!
I then settled for the next biggest brass instrument - the trombone, but after hearing about Coalburn Silver Band, I started playing a mini-sized tuba that allowed me to progress onto the full-sized instrument. After a few months, the band asked me to consider moving to second trombone and I eventually ‘met in the middle’ by settling on bass trombone. I wanted to make sure I found the right instrument.
MG: How are your studies progressing at RCS?
I'm currently in my third year of studying music in higher education. I had a great year at Edinburgh College, which really let me find my feet and allowed me to decide what I wanted to do in music. I then successfully gained a place at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, where I’m currently in my second year studying under Christopher Stearn.
I couldn't be more thankful for the opportunities I’ve been given. To have the chance to make music with people who love it as much as I do is wonderful. The best part has to be the number of different ensemble opportunities at the RCS, which really lets you forge your own path, as well as provides great support and advice from some of Scotland's top brass players.
Looking back, I couldn't be more thankful towards all of my previous tutors - every one of them gave me something to take away that has shaped me into the musician that I am today.
MG: What impact did brass bands have on your early development?
If it weren’t for brass bands, I wouldn't be the player I am today. They really are a great way to get started on a brass instrument because...
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