This summer I was chosen as the featured soloist for the Battle Proms, a series of open-air concerts at stately homes around England. I played at four of these events during July and August, performing the First Movement of Haydn's Trumpet Concerto and The Prince of Denmark's March by J. Clarke to over 40,000 people. I was accompanied by the New English Concert Orchestra, conducted by Douglas Coombes, and the concerts were sponsored by Classic FM.
A beautiful evening in the grounds of Ragley Hall
The four venues for the Battle Proms were:
Burghley House, Lincolnshire
Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
Highclere Castle (a.k.a. Downton Abbey!), Hampshire
Ragley Hall, Worcestershire
I performed in the first half of each concert, either side of spitfires, cavalry processions and live cannon-fire! The second half of the evening contained a number of spectacular firework displays, a 'Last Night of the Proms'-style programme and the orchestra also performed Beethoven's Battle Symphony, which features 193 live cannon..!
Performing Haydn and Clarke with the New English Concert Orchestra
Each Prom was well attended, with the concert at Highclere Castle selling out to an audience of 12,000 people. It was a pretty surreal feeling to stand on stage and look out at many people, but I enjoyed every moment. It was particularly special having groups of friends and family in the audience each week and seeing them enjoy the evening too.
I'm very grateful to JSL Productions and the Battle Proms for having me as their instrumental soloist this year and to the orchestra for their fantastic playing and support. Thank you all!
My dressing room and some lovely gifts from the team at JSL Productions