One of Aotearoa New Zealand's leading french horn players, Alex Morton is in demand as a soloist, chamber, and orchestral musician, performance coach, brass teacher, and musical director.

Upon finishing his Bachelor of Music at the New Zealand School of Music in Wellington, Alex moved to Melbourne after successfully auditioning for the Australian National Academy of Music where, during his six years in Melbourne, he studied with and performed alongside some of the greatest musicians alive today. Immediately after finishing his studies at ANAM, Alex auditioned for and won a contract with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Since then he has held contracts as Principal Horn with Orchestra Victoria, as Associate-Principal with the West Australian and Christchurch Symphony Orchestras, and has guested with every major symphony orchestra across Australia and New Zealand.

Alex is also a founding member of the internationally-acclaimed Morton Trio, who, after multiple tours throughout Aotearoa and the UK, recorded their debut album with Atoll Records in 2024.

Alex is currently the Music Director of 50s Up Brass Band and the Middleton Grange School Orchestras, and has seen tremendous success in the development of these wonderful ensembles, with both groups experiencing major growth in membership and quality alike.

As a performance coach, Alex has worked with musicians and athletes, helping them to develop a mindset that will enable them to perform at their best under pressure. His clients have won professional orchestral jobs in New Zealand and as far away as Europe, and placed in prestigious universities across the globe.

Joe Thomas is a highly accomplished trombonist, conductor, and educator. After completing a BMus and PGDip Mus (Classical Performance) at the New Zealand School of Music, under the tuition of Matthew Allison, David Bremner, and David Chaulk, Joe has become a strong advocate for brass performance in New Zealand.

He has held Principal Trombone positions with the Opus Orchestra and the Royal New Zealand Air Force Band, and bass trombone positions with the National Band of New Zealand and the New Zealand Army Band. Joe continues to do freelance trombone work around Aotearoa. He has performed with most of New Zealand’s professional orchestras, the Rodger Fox Big Band, and with notable musicians such as Kurt Elling, James Morrison, and Richard O’Brien.

As a soloist, Joe is a five-time winner of the Open Bass Trombone competition at the National Brass Band Championships, and has featured as a soloist with the Bay of Plenty Symphonia, the New Zealand Army Band, and several community brass bands around the country.

Joe’s conducting experience includes leading the Tauranga Big Band and Invercargill Brass Band, and he served as Musical Director for the world premiere of Richard O’Brien's The Kingdom of Bling. Currently, Joe is the Head of Music at Papanui High School and Chair of the Canterbury Westland Secondary Music Teachers Association. Prior to this, Joe was an Itinerant brass teacher and Director of Bands at Tauranga Boys’ College.

Tyme Marsters is a proud Kiwi and Cook Islander who began his musical journey on cornet at the age of 10 years old in the South Island town of Westport. 

As a young 17-year-old Tyme moved to Christchurch to join the New Zealand Army Band. During his 20-year career with the New Zealand Army Band, Tyme held many positions including acting Bandmaster and enjoyed an array of musical experiences around the globe. After his military career, Tyme became the founder and tutor of Brass Factory Canterbury. Here, Tyme utilises his extensive experience and passion for teaching as a full-time brass educator. Tyme was Music Director of Woolston Brass from 2015-2024 and is very proud of the band’s success at multiple contests as well as the many special concert performances during his tenure.

As a soloist Tyme has an impressive record of success, including winning twelve national titles with nine of those on flugelhorn, along winning the coveted Champion of Champions title in 2008. Tyme has also represented New Zealand as a cornet and flugel horn player in two National Youth Bands and seven National Bands. Most recently, Tyme has just finished a three-year term as the Music Director of the National Youth Band of New Zealand. 

Outside of music, Tyme enjoys spending quality time with his wife and children and takes a keen interest in the arts and all things sport.

Tyme is privileged to be involved in this year’s Brass Blast and is very much looking forward to tutoring all who participate.