Bones Apart consists of four young professional female trombonists; Carol Jarvis, Becky Smith, Becca Harper and Lorna McDonald. The quartet has already established a name for itself as one of the leading young chamber ensembles to recently emerge out of the UK.

In 2001 the quartet won the prestigious Royal Over-Seas League Competition (the Rio Tinto Ensemble Prize & Miller Trophy), against all other young chamber groups from across the Commonwealth. The panel, headed by Lady Barbirolli OBE, came to an unanimous decision and from this the quartet are frequently performing recitals countrywide, including the Queen Elizabeth Hall, The Royal Festival Hall and St. Martin-in-the-Fields as well as at many famous festivals around the UK.

One of their greatest achievements to date is being invited to perform a recital and give a clinic at the International Trombone Festival, Texas 2002. Their performances received great critical acclaim and earned them international recognition, leading to offers of recitals all over the world. The 'Bones Apart USA tour 2003' is set for November. Other tours this year include Illinois, Kentucky, Houston, Valencia and Lucerne.

Being dedicated to the development of live music in the community, Bones Apart has established strong relationships with schools countrywide, performing their educational, yet fun show to children. They took part in the BBC Music Live festival helping to bring more live music to the public and regularly play as part of Yehudi Menuhin's Live Music Now! scheme.

Bones Apart is extremely keen to expand the limited repertoire for trombone quartets by commissioning arrangements and compositions. The quartet has commissioned numerous works from UK composers, and since their appearance in Texas, Bones Apart has also forged links with established international composers, including Christian Lindberg and Gary Carpenter.

Bones Apart received a Distinction in their Professional Performance diploma from the Royal Northern College of Music and also won the Philip Jones Award. They have not only performed with some of the greatest brass players in the world, such as Bob Tucci, Joe Alessi, coached by David Taylor, John Kenny, Ronald Barron and Canadian Brass, but Bones Apart have also performed alongside the famous Endellion String Quartet and Lindsay String Quartet, both to great acclaim. Their links with jazz trombonists such as Mark Nightingale and Jiggs Whigham have seen them re-producing the famous Bone Structure sound - a versatile group!

Media interest in Bones Apart has led to interviews and broadcasts on Radio 3, Classic FM, Radio Merseyside, Derby and BBC GMR and appearances on ITV's This Morning programme and BBC Songs of Praise. Newspaper features are included in The Independent, The Guardian, Manchester Evening News, Burton Mail and Cardiff Echo.

The members of Bones Apart also perform as soloists and freelancers in major orchestras and ensembles across the country and the world, such as; the BBC Philharmonic, Halle Orchestra, European Union Youth Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Royal Ballet Sinfonia, Opera North, BBC National Orchestra of Wales and World Brass.

Having originated from vastly different musical backgrounds, the members of Bones Apart blend to provide a diverse ensemble. Having performed not only at prestigious events, but also at weddings, exhibitions, and given master classes, workshops and recitals, a truly versatile group. For latest news and future engagements you can visit their website or email them:

Website: www.bonesapart.co.uk

Email: info@bonesapart.co.uk