Donal Bannister
Donal Bannister, Principal Trombone
of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, was born and grew up in
Dublin. His grandfather, George Bannister founded the first British
style Brass Band in the Republic of Ireland, and was also his first
teacher. He started as a euphonium player, but took up the trombone
at the age of 14.
In 1979 he entered Trinity College Dublin, and in 1981 became only
the second music student to win a full scholarship, graduating with
an honours BA. He was the overall winner of the RTE Musician of the
Future competition in 1980, and won a Fulbright Scholarship to the
Eastman School of Music, New York, where he studied trombone with
John Marcellus.
In 1987 he was appointed co-Principal Trombone of the Bournemouth
Symphony Orchestra where spent the next 20 years. Whilst at
Bournemouth Donal developed a varied career including arranging,
composing, playing for Bournemouth Symphonic Brass, teaching and
conducting local community orchestras. He enjoyed a freelance
career, performing with Chamber Orchestra of Europe and the London
Symphony Orchestra amongst others.
In 2007 Donal was appointed Principal Trombone of the BBC National
Orchestra of Wales, and also joined the staff of the Royal Welsh
College of Music and Drama.