John Fletcher (tubist)

John Fletcher (born 1941, died October 1987) was an English tuba player. He began his career as a horn player, but switched to the tuba upon his graduation from studying Natural Sciences at Pembroke College, Cambridge.

In autumn 1964, he moved to London, where he was appointed Principal Tuba of the BBC Symphony Orchestra. He left the BBC Symphony Orchestra in 1966 to join the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO). In 1966, he also joined the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble (PJBE), with whom he played until 1986. Known to his friends as "Fletch", he was highly regarded as a tuba player and teacher. He taught many UK professional tubists, including Patrick Harrild, who succeeded Fletcher as the LSO's principal tuba. Fletcher also regularly tutored members of the National Youth Orchestra.

Fletcher's recordings included the Vaughan Williams Tuba Concerto. [Ottaway, Hugh, Review of LP recording of Vaughan Williams "Pastoral Symphony" and "Tuba Concerto" (1972). "The Musical Times", 113 (1558): p. 1200.] Leonard Salzedo dedicated his Sonata for tuba and piano, op. 93, to Fletcher. [Byrne, Frank, Review of published score of Sonata for Tuba and Piano, Op. 93 by Leonard Salzedo (December 1986). "Notes" (2nd Ser.), 43 (2): pp. 421-422.]

In 1967, Fletcher married the mezzo-soprano Margaret Cable, and together they had a daughter and a son. In March 1987, he suffered a massive cerebral haemorrhage, and died that October. The John Fletcher Trust Fund was established after his death, in his memory, to provide bursaries for young brass players to attend the courses run by the National Youth Orchestra, National Youth Brass band and other training centres.

References

External links

* [http://www.iteaonline.org/committees.shtml IPEA website] International Tuba-Euphonium Association, Committees and Lifetime Achievement members
* [http://www.johnfletcher-tuba.co.uk/thetrust.html John Fletcher trust website] Information on the trust