Roger Argente was born in Neath, South Wales in 1962 and started playing the trombone at the age of 12. A graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, Roger studied with Professors Terry Nagle and Neville Roberts and was a joint recipient of the prestigious concerto prize.

Upon graduating in September 1986, Roger joined the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra before moving to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in April 1992. During the past 10 years he has appeared as a guest performer with a wide variety of orchestras and ensembles, London Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London Sinfonietta, London Brass, Symphonic Brass of London and the Super World Orchestra at the Tokyo International Music Festival.

Roger is equally at home both as a performer and educator and divides his time between the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra; the recording studio; teaching, masterclasses, recitals, and conducting; and BONELAB.

With the RPO and as a guest Principal with other London Orchestra's he has travelled to most countries of the world, performing at the most prestigious festivals and Concert Halls with some of the world's finest conductors, Ashkenazy, Previn, Temirikanov, Gergiev, Gatti, Haitink, Maazel, Rostropovich.

In great demand as a session musician, Roger has recorded film score's with top studio composer's Jerry Goldsmith, John Williams, James Horner, Michael Kamen, Howard Shore, David Arnold, Hans Zimmer, John Barry, Elmer Bernstein, Maurice Jarre, Danny Elfman and Lalo Shiffren working on such recent big screen classics as Gladiator, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and James Bond.

Along with planning, conducting, coaching and performing all brass chamber projects at Trinity College of Music, Roger has given masterclasses and recitals in Holland, France, Italy, Spain, Taiwan, Japan and the USA. He gave the European premiere of the Brubeck Bass Trombone Concerto with the RPO at the Royal Albert Hall and has been invited to perform as a soloist at the International Trombone Festival 2003 in Helsinki.

In March 2001, Roger started BONELAB, a trombone based, music education project. This was as a direct response to the declining number of school children learning to play the instrument here in the UK. Still in it's infancy BONELAB has put together numerous initiatives designed to focus on the trombone. Festival's, Concert Hall's, Conservatoire, Education Agencies and leading Orchestra's have all adopted BONELAB projects. Highlighting the wealth of exciting young performers alongside experienced teachers, educators and professional trombonists.

Trombonists interested in taking part in BONELAB projects, whatever their age or standard should email their details to roger@argente.demon.co.uk.

The next BONELAB project is The Trombone Massive at The Mayor's Thames Festival, London on September 14, 2003.