Barrett Hocking

From “The Courier”, Page 3, 24th April 2007.

A TRUMPET player who began his career in Timaru has taken his pick from some of the world’s best musical conservatories before he begins two years’ study in London later this year. After an exploratory trip around musical schools in the United States, Holland, Germany, and London last year, Barrett Hocking (26) auditioned for and was accepted by four conservatories in London. Now based in Wellington, he has chosen to study at the Royal Academy of Music, hoping to graduate after two years with a Masters degree in classical trumpet performance. When he leaves for London in August it will be another big step in a career that began as a nervous six-year-old with a cornet in the Waimataitai School brass band, progressed through the junior and senior Timaru Brass bands, and seen him play with national youth orchestras and brass bands, and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. Although he has gained one of only three post-graduate places at the Royal Academy from “I don’t know how many'’ applications, he said he was grateful to be accepted by any school. Mr Hocking said he chose the Royal Academy of Music because he felt a rapport with the teachers and students that he met during several visits. The conservatory was “so well-renowned'’ and would provide him with unlimited opportunities to meet and take masterclasses with leading artists. He said getting on with his teachers and fellow students was the most important consideration because his life would be anything but the typical twenty something Kiwi’s OE in London. “It’s going to be pretty much just music. They will essentially be like family. “I’m not going overthere for a holiday it’ll be head down and bum up in a big way.'’On top of lectures and study time, he expected to practise alone for four to five hours, and have rehearsals for at least another two hours everyday, he said. Not that life isn’t hectic enough already. As well as practising and teaching, both privately and at schools in Wellington and Christchurch, he is a contract player with all of the country’s professional orchestras. “I don’t have a night free for the next two months.'’ However, he will need to find time to raise some money. One year in London will cost about $40,000 in tuition fees, and $25,000 in living expenses. He is relying on scholarships, savings, fundraising concerts, and loans to get him through. Able to play the trumpet, flugel, and cornet, he said his interest in brass instruments began with his trombone-playing grandfather and sustained by Timaru being “such a brass-orientated town'’. He liked the trumpet’s versatility, with its ability to cross over classical, jazz, and brass styles, and the opportunity it gave to play with a variety of groups. When he graduates, he wants to join a world-class professional orchestra, but also continue teaching, play in chamber ensembles, give solo performances and collaborate with composers on new works. Returning to New Zealand is certainly on his radar, especially playing for the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra again. “I would love to one day have the opportunity to audition for a permanent place.'’