Kris Garfitt graduated in 2015 from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, with a First Class Honours Degree. During his time at Guildhall he undertook regular lessons with Eric Crees, Peter Gane and Christopher Houlding. He is now taking regular lessons with Fabrice Millischer.
In 2016 Kris won the position as tenor and bass trombonist in the German Radio Philharmonic Orchestra and has been working there ever since. He has been lucky enough to be a member of the European Union Youth Orchestra and Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra and travel extensively throughout Europe, performing at places such as the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Salzburg Festspielhaus, Berlin Philharmonie, Hamburg Elphilharmonie, Teatro alla Scalla and the Royal Albert Hall in the BBC Proms. Kris has had trials for jobs with both the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and the orchestra of the English National Ballet and continues to work regularly with these ensembles plus freelancing with many other leading British and European orchestras. He has worked with some of the best conductors in the world including the likes of Simon Rattle, Bernard Haitink, Vasily Petrenko, and Gianandrea Noseda.
Kris also performs regularly as soloist. In the last year he has given solo performances in Britain, Germany, Hungary, France, and looks forward to performing in Lithuania and China later this year. He was also awarded first prize in Guildhall's Brass Prize (funded by the Armourers and Brasiers) in May of 2015, and semi finalist of the International Trombone Competition in Budapest.
Daniel King Smith has given concerts all over the world as both soloist and accompanist. He has been broadcast on both BBC TV/Radio in the UK (In Tune, Proms, Young Musician of the Year) and NHK TV/Radio in Japan, most recently in recital with Yuki Ito as part of NHK’s “Best of Classic” and “Classic Club” series. Daniel has recorded a number of CDs, including releases with Yuki Ito for Sony and with Anna Hashimoto on the Meridian label. As soloist Daniel’s extensive concerto repertoire has lead to many concerts in the UK and around Europe and he has frequently been a featured Solo Classical Artist on many Cruise lines around the world.
Accompaniment and chamber music are a major part of Daniel’s life, having held staff accompanist posts at both Royal College of Music and Royal Academy of Music Junior Departments and at the Purcell School. He regularly accompanies auditions, lessons, masterclasses and end of year recitals at the London conservatoires as well as being official accompanist for the Countess of Munster Trust. Daniel gives recitals every year with a number of people who have been accepted onto the Countess of Munster Recital Scheme as well as both the Tillett Trust and Making Music Recital Schemes. He is also official accompanist for the Tunbridge Wells International Young Concert Artists competition. Daniel is often resident pianist on summer music courses including the British Isles Music Festival and Musicale. He has given recitals with Michael Collins, Carmel Kaine, Susan Milan, Robert Max, Yuki Ito and Anna Hashimoto, amongst many others and is a member of the Ridgeway Ensemble.
Free recital (retiring collection)