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Mr pBone Is Back with a Boom

October 22nd, 2014 | 1 min read

By Chris Fower

Many of you will know Mr. pBone for his ingenious idea to attach a GoPro camera to the bell of his pBone: he is responsible for making some of the most intriguing photos we’ve seen so far. However, just as interesting as his captivating photos are the invaluable projects he has been involved in.

He has for a long time been part of the New Trombone Collective’s pBone project. The project brings together 8 Dutch trombonists who, with unparalleled passion and enthusiasm, want to encourage more youngsters to play the trombone. They do so by organising inspiring events. Their workshops, among other things, help develop rhythm, pitch and teamwork.

With 60 brightly coloured pBones at hand, Mr. pBone has been teaching children from year 4 to play – and the final result is always a stunning performance from the participants.

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His latest project across 3 schools in Loenen ann de Vecht, Amsterdam, was his biggest yet, with around 100 children participating in each workshop. The project even saw Mr. pBone, Mrs. pBone, Suzanne Baai, and percussion player of the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, Martin Baai, perform at the opening of a road in Loenen aan de Vecht. An astonishing performance landed them on the local TV Utrecht, which highlights the project as a fun-filled musical adventure.

Mr. pBone has no plans to stop any time soon - he is currently working with 3 other Mr. pBones and the one and only Mrs. pBone. Follow his story here.

Chris Fower

As an undergraduate Chris studied Jazz at Leeds College of Music and then became a member of the Advanced Studies, post-graduate performers course at the Royal Academy of Music and Principal Bass Trombone with the European Community Youth Orchestra under Claudio Abbado. He then spent 25 years as a busy freelance performer based in both London and the North of England working with a wide variety of ensembles and artists, including being a member of Grimethorpe Colliery Band, The British Philharmonic Orchestra, Dame Shirley Bassey’s Orchestra and the Creative Jazz Orchestra.

Alongside this Chris has worked extensively in all areas of music education, latterly as a leading deliverer and trainer in informal, large group practice. This included roles as Leader in Wider Opportunities at Hertfordshire Music Service, Leader of Instrumental Development for Derbyshire City and County Music Partnership and as a face to face trainer on the Trinity Guildhall/Open University “Whole Class Instrumental Learning” national training program.

He became a key member of the team that created pBone, the plastic trombone in 2011/12 and has been involved with pBone Music in various roles since then. Chris is currently the Director of Creativity and Innovation for the company, a role that includes overseeing product development and improvement, quality and education.