The start of 2016 has been crazily busy! From a tour with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields to the start of the Southbank Sinfonia programme 2016...

2015 was a very exciting year for me: I performed my Final Recital and graduated from the Royal Academy of Music. However 2016 already looks set to overtake last year in terms of exciting opportunities and new ventures!

I've spent most of this week working on an article for the Brass Herald, writing all about brass players with 'portfolio careers'. It got me thinking about my own career, those of my friends and the different elements that they involve...

Over the last week, I have had the pleasure of both performing in, and listening to, some truly inspiring concerts.

I had a fantastic time at Phil Parkers brass shop today, having a lesson with Danish trumpet/breathing guru Kristian Steenstrup.

This week I performed Malcolm Arnold's Fantasy for Bb Trumpet at an Arnold celebration concert in Oxford. I've never performed the piece in public before, so it was a daunting but exciting prospect and one that, thankfully, went well! Arnold's daughter and son-in-law were in the audience and the Fantasy provided the perfect opening to the concert.

The start of October has been full of exciting chamber music. From a harp and trumpet duo performance to a trumpet, trombone and piano trio recital and a performance of Mozart's Requiem! 

On Thursday 10th September, I auditioned for the Southbank Sinfonia. This blogpost describes my preparation for the audition, from practice to lessons and mock-auditions...

This summer I spent two weeks playing as Principal Trumpet at the St Endellion Summer Music Festival (26th July - 8th August). When I was first asked to play, I was unsure of what to expect, as I knew barely anything about the festival. However I had a good friend who had performed at the festival numerous times, and so it was on her recommendation that I decided to give it a chance...

On Monday 13th July, 2015, I performed at the St Albans International Organ Festival, along with other members of the Royal Academy's Brass and Percussion departments...