Juilliard alumni Jason Crimi visits BIS HCMC

Juilliard alumni Jason Crimi visits BIS HCMC An integral part of our performing arts collaboration here at BIS HCMC are visits by Juilliard alumni. These visits are a transformative experience designed to inspire students in the performing arts. This week we were visited by Jason Crimi, the Associate Principal Trombone of the Seoul Philharmonic orchestra.

An integral part of our performing arts collaboration here at BIS HCMC are visits by Juilliard alumni. These visits are a transformative experience designed to inspire students in the performing arts. This week we were visited by Jason Crimi, the Associate Principal Trombone of the Seoul Philharmonic orchestra.

Alumni and curriculum specialist visits are a powerful part of our collaboration with The Juilliard School. Over the past few years, our school has seen an incredible range of performing arts specialists who are Juilliard alumni, artists and curriculum specialists, each bringing their own creativity and experiences to our school. The time they spend with our students is unique and very special. It’s the magic from these moments that inspires our students’ creativity and imagination.

On Tuesday 26th June we were privileged to host our latest Juilliard Alumni visitor, Jason Crimi. We were especially excited to welcome someone to play such an unusual instrument as it is relatively unknown in this part of the world.

Jason spent time at the Junior Campus demonstrating the different sounds of the trombone, including its villainous nature and the comedy effects that no other instrument can imitate. In the afternoon he ran a rehearsal with the Secondary Brass Ensemble, working on basic techniques such as breathing and articulation. The Brass Ensemble were very fortunate to have this unique insight into playing brass instruments. This was followed by a workshop for selected Year 8, 9 and 10 students. Jason once again demonstrated the effects possible on the instrument and played different styles of pieces that demonstrated the versatility of the trombone.

Following a rehearsal with the Secondary Chamber Orchestra and Ms Jacombs we were treated to a wonderful community concert in the evening.

Jason gave us the history behind the trombone by playing pieces from as early as the Renaissance period right up to the 21st century. He also continued to show the versatility of the instrument through playing music as diverse as the jazzy ‘Elegy for Miffy’ by Bernstein, a section of the Rimsky Korsakov Trombone Concerto, a beautiful arrangement of the traditional song ‘Londonderry Air’ accompanied by the orchestra and the ‘Imperial March from Star Wars’. Special thanks must go to Ms Jacombs for her amazing accompaniment skills.

On Wednesday morning Jason spent time with our youngest students at the Early Years and Infant Campus where they had the opportunity to hear the exciting sound of the trombone before Jason’s departure back to Korea.

These visits don’t just benefit our performing arts students. It is also an opportunity for our school community to develop new and exciting ways to include more subjects, teachers and parents during these visits. The student’s reactions to these unique opportunities highlights the importance and impact of observing real artists perform. 

Ian Alexander, Director of Music