HÂþ»­

Professor Trevor Herbert

PhD DLitt FHÂþ»­ FLSW FRHistS

Trevor Herbert is a former foundation scholar of the College. He was a trombone player (modern and period instruments) with various orchestras and ensembles, particularly the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Welsh National Opera, the Taverner Players and the Wallace Collection.  He is Emeritus Professor of Music at the Open University where he developed a global reputation as an expert on the history and performance practices of brass instruments.

The scope of his research, which is characterised by a strong cultural history theme, runs from the middle ages to the modern period and includes jazz and vernacular music. His books include The British Brass Band: A Musical and Social History (Oxford 2000), The Trombone (Yale 2006), and Music and the British Military in the Long Nineteenth Century (Oxford 2013, with Helen Barlow); and he is the joint editor of both the Cambridge Companion to Brass Instruments (1997) and the Cambridge Encyclopedia of Brass Instruments (2018), he is also lead editor of the Cambridge History of Welsh Music. He is a prolific contributor to the world’s major music reference works. His book on research method, Music in Words: A Guide to Researching and Writing about Music (ABRSM and Oxford), has had three editions, and he is joint editor of The Cultural HÂþ»­ of Music: A Critical Introduction (Routledge 2003; 2nd edition 2012). He has been the recipient of various awards and prizes, including several AHRC and British Academy awards. He is currently working on a new book, to be published by Yale University Press, on the history and influence of brass bands.

He was the 2002 recipient of the Christopher Monk Award of the Historic Brass Society and was awarded the Anthony Baines Prize of the Galpin Society in 2014. In 2016 he was elected a fellow of the Learned Society of Wales. He was the 2021 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award of the International Trombone Association.

Selected publications

Herbert T, Clarke MV & Barlow H (eds.) (2022), A History of Welsh Music, Cambridge University Press [].

Herbert T, Myers A & Wallace J (eds.) (2018), The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Brass Instruments, Cambridge University Press

Herbert T & Barlow H (2013), Music and the British Military in the Long Nineteenth Century, Oxford University Press

Herbert T (2013), Brass and military bands in Britain - performance domains, the factors that construct them and their influence, in Reily S & K Brucher (eds.), Brass Bands of the World: Militarism, Colonial Legacies, and Local Music Making (SOAS Musicology Series) (pp. 33-54), Ashgate

Herbert T (2012), Music in Words: A Guide to Researching and Writing about Music (2nd ed.), Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music Publishing (US edition 2009 Oxford University Press [ISBN 9780199888320]).

Herbert T (2011), "…men of great perfection in their science…": the trumpeter as musician and diplomat in England in the later fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, Historic Brass Society Journal, 23, 1-23 .

Herbert T (2006), The Trombone, Yale University Press [].

Herbert T (ed.) (2000), The British Brass Band: A Musical and Social History, Oxford University Press

Faculties / departments: Research, Academic staff

Research

Research areas

Performance

Historical and Source Studies

Organology

Musicology

Cultural and Social Studies

 

Research students

Akira Liu

 

Latest Publications

Herbert, T. (2024) Historic Brass Society Journal ISSN 1045-4616 (print) 1943-5215 (online) (In Press)

Herbert, T. (2024) In: Cyfarthfa Castle 1825-2025: A People's History. Merthyr and District Historical Society, Merthyr Tydfil. (In Press)

Herbert, T. (2023) In: Shaping Sound and Society: The Cultural HÂþ»­ of Musical Instruments. Routledge Research in Music . Routledge, Abingdon. ISBN 9780367417550 (hardback) 9780367816070 (e-book)

Griffiths, R. and Herbert, T. and Rees, S. P. (2022) In: A History of Welsh Music. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. 144-170. ISBN 9781316511060 (hardback) 9781009036511 (e-book)

Herbert, T. (2022) In: A History of Welsh Music. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. 1-24. ISBN 9781316511060 (hardback) 9781009036511 (e-book)

Herbert, T. (2022) In: A History of Welsh Music. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. 291-314. ISBN 9781316511060 (hardback) 9781009036511 (e-book)

Herbert, T. and Harper, S. and Hill, S. (2022) In: A History of Welsh Music. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. 355-365. ISBN 9781316511060 (hardback) 9781009036511 (e-book)

Barlow, H. and Herbert, T. (2021) Nineteenth-Century Music Review, 17 (3) pp. 343-357. ISSN 1479-4098 (print), 2044-8414 (online)

Herbert, T. (2021) Nineteenth-Century Music Review, 17 (3) pp. 427-444. ISSN 1479-4098 (print), 2044-8414 (online)

Herbert, T. (2020) In: Practice in Context: Perspectives on Historically Informed Practices in Post-Classical Music. Oxford University Press, New York. (In Press)

Herbert, T. (2019) Early Music, 47 (2) pp. 277-280. ISSN 0306-1078 (print) 1741-7260 (online)

Herbert, T. (2018) In: The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Historical Performance in Music. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. 151-152. ISBN 9781107108080 (hardback) 9781107518476 (paperback) 9781108698573 (e-book)

Herbert, T. (2018) In: The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Historical Performance in Music. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. 409-411. ISBN 9781107108080 (hardback) 9781107518476 (paperback) 9781108698573 (e-book)

Herbert, T. (2018) In: The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Historical Performance in Music. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, p. 427. ISBN 9781107108080 (hardback) 9781107518476 (paperback) 9781108698573 (e-book)

Herbert, T. (2018) In: The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Historical Performance in Music. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. 572-573. ISBN 9781107108080 (hardback) 9781107518476 (paperback) 9781108698573 (e-book)

Herbert, T. (2018) In: The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Historical Performance in Music. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. 630-632. ISBN 9781107108080 (hardback) 9781107518476 (paperback) 9781108698573 (e-book)

Herbert, T. (2018) In: The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Historical Performance in Music. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. 636-638. ISBN 9781107108080 (hardback) 9781107518476 (paperback) 9781108698573 (e-book)

Herbert, T. (2018) Early Music, 46 (2) pp. 343-345. ISSN 0306-1078 (print) 1741-7260 (online)

Herbert, T. (2018) In: The Routledge Companion to the HÂþ»­ of Local Musicking. Routledge Music Companions . Routledge, Abingdon, UK. ISBN 9781138920118 (hardback) 9781315687353 (e-book)

Herbert, T. (2016) Music in Art: International Journal for Music Iconography,, 41 (1-2) pp. 65-81. ISSN 1522-7464 (print) 2169-9488 (online)

Herbert, T. (2016) In: Instrumental Odyssey: A Tribute to Herbert Heyde. Bucina: The Historic Brass Society Series (9). Pendragon Press, New York. ISBN 978-1-57647-252-1

Herbert, T. (2016) Revue Belge de Musicologie/Belgisch Tijdschrift voor Muziekwetenschap, 70 pp. 65-76. ISSN 0771-6788

Herbert, T. (2016) Historic Brass Society Journal, 28 pp. 191-198. ISSN 1045-4616 (print) 1943-5215 (online)

Herbert, T. (2013) Nineteenth-Century Music Review, 10 (2) pp. 323-356. ISSN 1479-4098 (print), 2044-8414 (online)

Herbert, T. (2013) In: Brass Bands of the World: Militarism, Colonial Legacies, and Local Music Making. SOAS Studies in Music Series . Ashgate, Farnham, UK. ISBN 9781409444220 (hardback) 9781138251212 (paperback) 9781315569895 (e-book)

Herbert, T. and Barlow, H. (2013) Oxford University Press, New York. ISBN 978-0-19-989831-2

Herbert, T. (2012) Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, London. ISBN 9781848491007

Herbert, T. and Barlow, H. (2012) In: Music and Institutions in Nineteenth-Century Britain. Music in Nineteenth-Century Britain . Ashgate, Farnham, UK, pp. 247-266. ISBN 9781409405832 (hardback) 9781138268234 (paperback) 9781315596624 (e-book)

Herbert, T. (2011) In: The Cultural HÂþ»­ of Music: A Critical Introduction [2nd Edition]. Routledge, Abingdon. ISBN 9780415881906 (hardback) 9780415881913 (paperback) 9780203149454 (e-book)

Herbert, T. (2011) American Musical Instrument Society Newsletter, 40 (2) pp. 12-14. ISSN 0160-2365

Herbert, T. (2011) Oxford Bibliographies Online

Herbert, T. (2011) Historic Brass Society Journal, 23 pp. 1-23. ISSN 1045-4616 (print) 1943-5215 (online)

Herbert, T. and Myers, A. (2010) Early Music, 38 (4) pp. 571-584. ISSN 0306-1078 (print) 1741-7260 (online)

Herbert, T. (2010) Historic Brass Society Journal, 22 pp. 1-18. ISSN 1045-4616 (print) 1943-5215 (online)

Herbert, T. (2008) Studies in Musical Theatre, 2 (3) pp. 295-297. ISSN 1750-3159 (print) 1750-3167 (online)

Herbert, T. (2007) Historic Brass Society Journal, 19 pp. 4-5. ISSN 1045-4616 (print) 1943-5215 (online)

Herbert, T. (2006) The Yale Musical Instrument Series . Yale University Press, London. ISBN 9780300100952 (hardback) 9780300235753 (paperback)

Herbert, T. (2005) Historic Brass Society Newsletter, 18 p. 23. ISSN 1045-4594

Herbert, T. (2005) Historic Brass Society Newsletter, 18 p. 22. ISSN 1045-4594

Herbert, T. (2005) Historic Brass Society Newsletter, 18 pp. 22-23. ISSN 1045-4594

Herbert, T. (2005) In: Tielman Susato and the Music of his Time: Print Culture, Compositional Technique, and Instrumental Music in the Renaissance. Bucina: The Historic Brass Society Series (5). Pendragon Press, New York, pp. 117-132. ISBN 978-1576471067 (hardback)

Herbert, T. (2004) Music in Art: International Journal for Music Iconography,, 29 (1-2) pp. 213-226. ISSN 1522-7464 (print) 2169-9488 (online)

Herbert, T. (2004) Historic Brass Society Newsletter, 17 p. 25. ISSN 1045-4594

Herbert, T. (2003) Historic Brass Society Newsletter, 16 pp. 23-24. ISSN 1045-4594

Herbert, T. (2003) Historic Brass Society Newsletter, 16 p. 23. ISSN 1045-4594

Herbert, T. (2002) In: A Performer's Guide to Music of the Romantic Period. Performer's Guides . Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, London, pp. 57-69. ISBN 9781860961946

Herbert, T. (2002) Historic Brass Society Newsletter, 15 pp. 32-33. ISSN 1045-4594

Herbert, T. (2001) Historic Brass Society Newsletter, 14 p. 57. ISSN 1045-4594

Herbert, T. (2000) In: Music and British Culture, 1785-1914: Essays in Honor of Cyril Ehrlich. Oxford University Press, Oxford, pp. 255-274. ISBN 9780198167303 (hardback)

Herbert, T. (2000) In: The British Brass Band: A Musical and Social History. Oxford University Press, Oxford. ISBN 9780198166986

Herbert, T. (2000) In: The British Brass Band: A Musical and Social History. Oxford University Press, Oxford. ISBN 9780198166986

Herbert, T. and Wallace, J. (2000) In: The British Brass Band: A Musical and Social History. Oxford University Press, Oxford. ISBN 9780198166986

Herbert, T. (2000) Consort: The Journal of The Dolmetsch Foundation, 56 pp. 70-71. ISSN 0268-9111 (print)

Herbert, T. (2000) In: Posaunen und Trompeten: Geschichte, Akustik, Spieltechnik. Michaelsteiner Konferenzberichte . Kloster Michaelstein Musikakademie, Blankenburg, Germany, pp. 51-58. ISBN 978-3895121166

Herbert, T. and Nussbaum, J. (1999) Historic Brass Society Newsletter, 12 pp. 13-17. ISSN 1045-4594

Herbert, T. (1999) In: Henry George Farmer: A Bibliography. Glasgow University Library Studies . Glasgow University Library, Glasgow. ISBN 978-0852616901

Herbert, T. (1999) Historic Brass Society Journal, 11 pp. 195-196. ISSN 1045-4616 (print) 1943-5215 (online)

Herbert, T. (1999) In: Nineteenth-Century British Music Studies. Music in Nineteenth-Century Britain, 1 . Ashgate, Farnham, Surrey, pp. 105-118. ISBN 9780367146221 (hardback) 9780429052774 (e-book)

Herbert, T. (1998) In: The Place of Music. Guilford Press, New York, pp. 104-128. ISBN 9781572303140 (paperback)

Dudgeon, R. T. and Eastop, P. and Herbert, T. and Wallace, J. (1997) In: The Cambridge Companion to Brass Instruments. Cambridge Companions to Music . Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. 193-206. ISBN 9780521565226 (paperback) 9781139002035 (e-book)

Herbert, T. (1997) In: The Cambridge Companion to Brass Instruments. Cambridge Companions to Music . Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. 177-192. ISBN 9780521565226 (paperback) 9781139002035 (e-book)

Herbert, T. (1997) In: The Cambridge Companion to Brass Instruments. Cambridge Companions to Music . Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. 68-83. ISBN 9780521565226 (paper back) 9781139002035 (e-book)

Herbert, T. (1997) Historic Brass Society Newsletter, 10 pp. 34-35. ISSN 1045-4594

Herbert, T. (1997) Historic Brass Society Newsletter, 10 pp. 35-36. ISSN 1045-4594

Herbert, T. and Sarkissian, M. (1997) Popular Music, 16 (2) pp. 165-179. ISSN 0261-1430 (print) 1474-0095 (online)

Herbert, T. (1997) The Galpin Society Journal, 50 p. 244. ISSN 0072-0127

Herbert, T. (1997) Historic Brass Society Journal, 9 pp. 199-201. ISSN 1045-4616 (print) 1943-5215 (online)

Herbert, T. (1997) Brass Bulletin: Magazine International de Cuivres, 97 pp. 38-44. ISSN 0303-3848

Herbert, T. (1997) In: Perspectives in Brass Scholarship: Proceedings of the International Historic Brass Society Symposium Amherst 1995. Bucina: the Historic Brass Society Series (2). Pendragon Press, New York, pp. 193-222. ISBN 978-0945193975 (hardback)

Herbert, T. (1996) Historic Brass Society Newsletter, 9 pp. 64-65. ISSN 1045-4594

Herbert, T. (1996) Welsh Music History/Hanes cerddoriaeth Cymru, 1 pp. 92-113.

Herbert, T. (1996) Historic Brass Society Journal, 8 p. 124. ISSN 1045-4616 (print) 1943-5215 (online)

Herbert, T. (1996) Historic Brass Society Journal, 8 pp. 124-125. ISSN 1045-4616 (print) 1943-5215 (online)

Herbert, T. (1995) Historic Brass Society Newsletter, 8 p. 86. ISSN 1045-4594

Herbert, T. (1995) The Galpin Society Journal, 48 pp. 220-221. ISSN 0072-0127

Herbert, T. (1995) Historic Brass Society Journal, 7 pp. 207-209. ISSN 1045-4616 (print) 1943-5215 (online)

Herbert, T. (1994) Historic Brass Society Newsletter, 7 pp. 43-44. ISSN 1045-4594

Herbert, T. (1993) The Galpin Society Journal, 46 pp. 175-177. ISSN 0072-0127

Herbert, T. (1993) Historic Brass Society Journal, 5 pp. 146-158. ISSN 1045-4616 (print) 1943-5215 (online)

Herbert, T. (1992) Historic Brass Society Journal, 4 pp. 1-11. ISSN 1045-4616 (print) 1943-5215 (online)

Herbert, T. (1990) Early Music, 18 (4) pp. 609-616. ISSN 0306-1078 (print) 1741-7260 (online)

Herbert, T. (1990) Popular Music, 9 (1) pp. 117-132. ISSN 0261-1430 (print) 1474-0095 (online)

Herbert, T. and Myers, A. (1990) Cyfarthfa Castle Museum and Art Gallery, Merthyr Tydfil, Wales.

Herbert, T. (1989) The Galpin Society Journal, 42 pp. 148-150.

Herbert, T. (1989) Contemporary Music Review, 5 pp. 199-214. ISSN 0749-4467 (print) 1477-2256 (online)

Herbert, T. and Myers, A. (1988) The Galpin Society Journal, 41 pp. 2-10.

Herbert, T. (1988) Popular Music, 7 (1) pp. 114-115. ISSN 0261-1430 (print) 1474-0095 (online)

Contact

For enquiries please contact:

Professor Trevor Herbert

Professor of Music Research, Doctoral Supervisor

research@rcm.ac.uk

trevor.herbert@rcm.ac.uk

Back to top