Les Whitehouse - Trombone
Les Whitehouse was born in 1960 and raised in Dudley, West Midlands.
He played his first tune on a toy piano at the age of four having heard it on the radio. His parents bought him a recorder and music books and he taught himself to play and read music. He soon progressed to a full-size piano and continued to self-teach using tuition books.
At 13 he was asked by his music teacher at Dudley Grammar School if he wanted to try a brass instrument. This opened up a new world of music. He soon played solo tenor horn in the school band, moving up to solo euphonium. Meanwhile he played principal french horn in the school orchestra before moving onto tuba.
Through all this he always wanted to play trombone, but there were no vacancies. Undeterred, he borrowed a spare trombone, took it home to try and never looked back. He taught himself to play, and is still trying to get it right!
He has played principal trombone with the Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra for many years.
As well as playing with the Holborne Brass Ensemble, Les plays Principal Trombone with the Midland Concert Orchestra and Sinfonia Of Birmingham and has also played with the Fandango Orchestra.
By day Les is an IT Engineer with Hewlett-Packard.
Les is a founder member of the Holborne Brass Ensemble.