Susan White

Key details:

Department:
Guildhall Young Artists | Junior Guildhall
Role:
Trombone
Portrait of Susan White

Biography

Susan attended the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama as a junior student and went on to study at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, gaining a BMus (Hons) 1st class followed by a MMus with distinction. She was awarded numerous scholarships for postgraduate study and won the Chairman’s Prize on completion of her MMus. She was a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland and Great Britain, the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland and had the privilege of spending four years with the European Union Youth Orchestra. This gave her the opportunity to play in some of Europe’s leading concert halls and sparked a love of travelling. 

Since graduating, Susan has combined a busy career of freelance trombone, euphonium and piano playing, teaching and ballet accompaniment. She has played with many of Britain’s leading symphony orchestras and has many fond memories. These include a live TV broadcast with the Hallé at the proms and a rather terrifying performance of Berlioz’s Grande Messe de Morts with the London Symphony Orchestra and Sir Colin Davis in which she had to play from the whispering gallery! Susan also enjoys chamber music. She plays regularly with Brandenburg Brass and has guested with Bones Apart trombone quartet on many occasions. 

As a teacher, she has enjoyed working with many young musicians and has prepared students for numerous exams, auditions and performances. One of the highlights was preparing students to perform concertos with the symphony orchestra at King’s School Canterbury where she is currently the low brass teacher.