Behind the Music of Becky Pepper _ Trombone
Full Biography
Becky has always been fascinated with instrumental music, especially low brass, and she is passionate about sharing that with others. This led her to create the online store Trumpet_Trombone to share resources and arrangements for brass instruments for everyone. Drawing on her extensive teaching experience of the last decade, she has developed the resources and arrangements she wished she had when she started.
​
Becky started her brass journey on the baritone horn before moving on to the euphonium, gaining her grade 8 distinction at the age of 14 and a seat in the National Youth Wind Orchestra a year later. She spent 3 years as principal Euphonium there and won the brass prize in the Southampton music festival in 2007, with her rendition of the Horowitz Euphonium Concerto. At 16 she won a place as a scholar on the Hampshire Specialist Music Course, studying with Julian Poore (Chamber Orchestra of Europe).
​
She gained her degree on trombone at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, studying with Bob Hughes (RSNO, Philharmonia, LSO) and Ed Jones (CBSO). Whilst there, she played with all the major ensembles, including sitting principal for the Concert Orchestra, Thallein Ensemble (new music ensemble) and Brass Band, as well as bass trumpet in the Rite of Spring for the Reading Orchestra. She took part in many masterclasses including Kristian Steenstrup, Ron Barron and Chris Houlding. She continued her interest in valved instruments, studying Euphonium with Katrina Marzella (Black Dyke Band) and bass trumpet with David Purser (Phillip Jones Brass Ensemble).
She has since gone on to gain her LRSM performance diploma and the Trinity Certificate of Music Education.
​
She is now in demand as a performer, a solo recitalist, a teacher, and low brass coach across the midlands. Becky’s performance credits include the English premiere of Karl Jenkins’s Dewi Sant in Birmingham’s iconic Town Hall with Gemini Brass Dectet, with whom she holds the third chair (doubling Euphonium). She is plays with Blidworth Brass Band, a traditional British Brass Band in the Championship section. Becky has also played in many commercial bands including big band, swing and soul. She is the trombonist for The Beat Collective, a corporate covers band. She has also toured China with the Amadeus Orchestra and Eastern Europe as solo trombone with the European Vacation Chamber Orchestra, amongst others.
​
In 2016, her debut book 'Music for Children' was published, introducing everything musical in a fun, interactive and approachable way.
​
She is an Edwards Featured Artist and plays on a T350-CRE with a custom rose-brass bell. Her Euphonium is a Besson Prestige 2052, which she plays on an SM4 mouthpiece.
​
Becky lives in the East Midlands, with her husband and partner in the Shuebruk Duo, Sean. They share the house with a variety of pets including black cat duo Misha and Jett, Buddy the Giant African Land Snail and a collection of tropical fish! When not doing music Becky can be found hanging out with horses at the local riding stables, or shooting at the gun club (but only clay pigeons!)
Becky' Teaching Ethos
Becky is the specialist trombone and euphonium teacher at the Elms Juninior school, amongst others and is particularly interested in working with ensembles in her teaching settings. She is fortunate to be the low brass tutor for the Birmingham Schools Concert Band. She encourages all of her pupils at the appropriate standard to audition for ensembles such as these in their local area and nationally, to enhance their musical lives and meet new people. She aims to be an advocate for raising the profile of brass, especially amongst girls and those from less advantaged backgrounds. Whilst she is a low brass specialist, she has also taught trumpet/cornet and French horn to a high level.
​
Becky has supported her students through their academic music studies and encourages teaching theory alongside instrumental learning. She has played with and prepared students for auditions and GCSE and A Level recordings. She also cares about students looking for a pathway into continuing their music in higher education, either at university or conservatoire, or just as a hobby alongside a different degree or apprenticeship.
​
On a personal level, Becky aims to always be patient but firm and tries to treat her pupils with kindness, encouragement, and respect. She aims to lead them to see their own potential and become confident musicians and young people, as well as leading their own learning and practice.
​
Becky has undertaken Child Safeguarding Training and holds a current DBS check.
