The first woman principal trombone?

The first woman principal trombone?

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norman lebrecht

December 05, 2016

We have been informed of the death last weekend, aged 92, of Maisie Ringham Wiggins, principal trombone of the Halle Orchestra from 1946 to 1956, an era when women were seldom seen in brass sections, let alone on trombone,

After leaving Barbirolli’s orchestra to raise a family, she continued playing and teaching into her 90s, receiving the MBE from the Queen for her services to music.

maisie-ringham-wiggins

Here’s a tribute from Dudley Bright, principal trombone of the LSO.

And a Maisie recording from 1955.

Comments

  • Mr Oakmountain says:

    The tribute, written in 2014 for her 90th birthday, is by Katy Jones (Principal Trombone, Hallé Orchestra), not Dudley Bright.

  • John Porter says:

    There was also Dorothy Zeigler, principal trombone of St. Louis Symphony from 1944 to 1964.

  • Peter Phillips says:

    Round about the same time the Hallé also had a woman horn player, Enid Roper, when it was sufficiently unusual to be noteworthy. Clearly an orchestra ahead of its time.

  • Jim Brennan says:

    Not to mention the Halle’s timpanist, Joyce Aldous

  • wil elhorst says:

    what a wonderfull lady and she had a great tribute to the salvation army music and a great example for woman in brass bands.

  • Last Row Music says:

    There was also Betty Glover who was Principal Trombone of the Kansas City Symphony in 1944. She then was a member of the Cincinnati Symphony for about 30 years.

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