Roger Argente

Roger Argente (born 1962) is Principal Bass Trombone for the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and is Head of Brass at the Trinity College of Music, London.

Born in Neath, Wales, Argente started playing the trombone at the age of 12. A graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, Roger studied with Professors Terry Nagle and Neville Roberts and was a joint recipient of the concerto prize.

Upon graduating in September 1986, Roger joined the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra before moving to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in April 1992. He has appeared as a guest performer with a wide variety of orchestras and ensembles, including the London Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Royal Opera House Covent Garden, London Sinfonietta, London Brass, Symphonic Brass of London and the Super World Orchestra at the Tokyo International Music Festival.

In great demand as a session musician, Roger has recorded film scores with top studio composer's Jerry Goldsmith, John Williams, James Horner, Michael Kamen, Howard Shore, David Arnold, Hans Zimmer, John Barry, Elmer Bernstein, Maurice Jarre, Danny Elfman and Lalo Schifrin working on such recent films as "Gladiator", "Harry Potter", "The Lord of the Rings" and "James Bond".

Along with planning, conducting, coaching and performing all brass chamber projects at Trinity College of Music, Roger has given masterclasses and recitals in Holland, France, Italy, Spain, Taiwan, Japan and the USA. He gave the European premiere of the Chris Brubeck Bass Trombone Concerto with the RPO at the Royal Albert Hall and has been invited to perform as a soloist at the International Trombone Festival 2003 in Helsinki.

In March 2001, Roger started BONELAB, a trombone-based music education project. This was as a direct response to the declining number of school children learning to play the instrument in the UK. Still in its infancy, BONELAB has put together numerous initiatives designed to focus on the trombone. Festivals, concert halls, conservatoires, education agencies and leading orchestras have all adopted BONELAB projects which aim to highlight the wealth of exciting young performers alongside experienced teachers, educators and professional trombonists.

His students regard him as a hero, and he is a father figure to many of them.

Roger is currently focusing his time on honing and cultivating the skills of a young trombone player by the name of John Kilshaw. Kilshaw was described by Mojo Magazine as "chuffing marvoleuos", and is Argente's proudest achievement.

Although, a new student of his, Jack Mitchell, seems to be set to storm the Bass Trombone stage. Currently studying a Postgraduate Diploma at Trinity College of music, Jack has humble roots but has taken the London scene by the scuff of the neck and is making waves which are lapping on the shores of all coasts.