Although born in Hobart, Bruce spent most of his school years on the mainland. In Footscray, at age 8, he began playing cornet in the Hyde Street School Band. Playing every morning at assembly, the kids were then marched into class. Weekends were taken up all around Melbourne, playing for various festive occasions, including quarter and half-time entertainment for VFL home matches for the Mighty Bulldogs!
Contesting at solo and party competitions, Bruce became Victorian Junior Champion Soloist and late South Australian Junior Champion, on moving there for high school years. Half hour lessons in Adelaide (3 hours’ drive) every six weeks or so were financed by him forming the District Dance Band, which played regularly in town halls, woolsheds etc for engagement parties, wedding receptions, 21st birthdays etc. These were important years for memory and ear training.
Fortunately, Bruce lived next to a disused church which became his personal practice studio/concert hall! By the age of sixteen he had become Australian Junior Brass Soloist before moving back to Hobart to matriculate. It was during this year that he started augmenting with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.
After four years intensive study at the Tasmanian Conservatorium of Music and after a South East Asian tour as Principal Trumpet of the T.S.O. - a position held until retirements in 2009. Throughout these years Bruce has toured many times overseas and recorded and performed much of the trumpet concerto repertoire.
In 1975, at the same time as being appointed trumpet tutor at the Tasmanian Conservatorium, Bruce became the main state brass examiner for the AMEB. He has been on several brass specialist panels over the years, helping revise the brass syllabus.
Contesting at solo and party competitions, Bruce became Victorian Junior Champion Soloist and late South Australian Junior Champion, on moving there for high school years. Half hour lessons in Adelaide (3 hours’ drive) every six weeks or so were financed by him forming the District Dance Band, which played regularly in town halls, woolsheds etc for engagement parties, wedding receptions, 21st birthdays etc. These were important years for memory and ear training.
Fortunately, Bruce lived next to a disused church which became his personal practice studio/concert hall! By the age of sixteen he had become Australian Junior Brass Soloist before moving back to Hobart to matriculate. It was during this year that he started augmenting with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.
After four years intensive study at the Tasmanian Conservatorium of Music and after a South East Asian tour as Principal Trumpet of the T.S.O. - a position held until retirements in 2009. Throughout these years Bruce has toured many times overseas and recorded and performed much of the trumpet concerto repertoire.
In 1975, at the same time as being appointed trumpet tutor at the Tasmanian Conservatorium, Bruce became the main state brass examiner for the AMEB. He has been on several brass specialist panels over the years, helping revise the brass syllabus.
