biography

Simon began his musical career aged 7, when some accurate clapping tests earned him a violin. He scratched away for a while before, at age 9 the inspirational Terry Hext handed him a shiny, majestic and excitingly loud trombone!

Under Terry’s expert guidance Simon learnt to tame the beast and at age 13 was accepted to study at the Royal College of Music Junior Department with Simon Hogg and Peter Harvey. In the same year he earned a chair in Bedfordshire Youth Orchestra under the direction of the wonderful, Michael Rose where he has grown ever since.  

Simon is currently in his fourth and final year at The Royal Northern College of Music studying for a BMus (Hons). He majors in trombone under the expert guidance of Christopher Houlding, Roger Cutts and Jiggs Whigham.

During his time at the RNCM Simon has featured in concerts, tours and recordings by many of the college’s finest ensembles including Symphony Orchestra, Wind Orchestra, Brass Ensemble, Brass Band and has been the principal trombone of the RNCM Big Band for the last two years.  

Away from the trombone Simon is a talented singer and actor with years of high quality stage experience. Previous roles include: Papageno (Die Zauberflöte), Dr.Falke (Die Fledermaus) and Le Dancaïre (Carmen) with Bedfordshire Youth Opera. Musical theatre roles include: Herr Schultz (Cabaret), José Vegas (Fame) and Big Deal (West Side Story) as part of a touring theatre company to the Schlactorf Theatre, Bremen. Earlier this year Simon enjoyed his Manchester debut with the University Music Society in the title role of Sweeney Todd.

All this varied training has made Simon a versatile freelance performer and teacher with a wide variety of dynamic ensembles, many of which are featured on the ensembles page of this website.

www.simonlodge.co.uk