News
A December of Bach and Handel
30.11.2024
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! At least in my diary anyway. December is filling up with lots of concerts across Denmark - so far you can catch me performing multiple versions of Handel's Messiah, as well as first trumpet in some of my absolute favourite music - Bach's Christmas Oratorio.
SOUND THE TRUMPET IN AARHUS' SYMPHONY HALL
14.09.2023
After almost a year's preparation, I'm delighted to have completed my Sound the Trumpet (Debut Concert) Project with great public reception! I had an incredible experience bringing together a varied programme of chamber music pieces that feature the trumpet, including a premiere by Danish composer Peter Østergaard, Claude Bolling's Toot Suite and Vivaldi Concerto for Two Trumpets. Each piece was hand-picked for its unique qualities, so it's hard to choose a favourite, however, I will be sharing a couple of highlights from the project over the next few weeks...
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Concluding the concert in Aarhus was a grand finale bringing together all the musicians involved plus a 20-strong choir who sang praises through the song "Revelation 19:1".
2023 DEBUT CONCERT
Nine years after I left my village in North Yorkshire, UK, to pursue a career as a professional trumpeter, I am so happy to be performing at a level of musicianship that I could only have dreamed of back then. My musical dream became a reality through the incredible privilege of being able to study trumpet at Trinity-Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance in London; at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest & most recently at the Royal Academy of Music in Aarhus, Denmark. Along the way, I have enjoyed many wonderful opportunities to study and perform all over Europe, including, since I came to Denmark in 2018, regularly working with the Aarhus Symphony Orchestra and the Aalborg Symphony Orchestra. I have discovered a distinct love of chamber music and have also performed with chamber music ensembles including The Danish Sinfonietta and Aarhus Solist Ensemble.
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As a creative musician, it is important to never stop learning and looking for new experiences. However, 2023 marks the end of my formal studies, as I graduate from the Aarhus Soloist Diploma Programme having studied with Kristian Steenstrup & Martin Schuster. To celebrate this milestone, I'm excited to announce the dates and venues for my Soloist Debut Concert - the biggest solo project I've embarked on to date:
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Aalborg Musikkens Hus: 7th September 2023 19:30
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Aarhus Musikhuset: 9th September 2023 15:00
CHAMBER MUSIC PARTNERSHIP
10.04.22
The first quarter of a new year is often quieter than usual. Following a crazy December for most musicians, it is good to have some time to digest, rest and plan for the next season. Part of my journey this year has been rescheduling some cancelled chamber music concerts and I’m really pleased that these will finally take place next month. The beginning of this partnership with Aarhus Solist Ensemble will include two concerts featuring Oskar Böhme’s Sextet for Brass and one performance of Martinu’s La Revue de Cuisine at Christiansfeld Festival.
BECOMING A MASTER
01.09.20
Corona may have put a stop to everything for the last few months, but that's not going to stop me from doing my final recital and getting my Masters degree! I look forward to sharing what I've been working on during my time studying with Kristian Steenstrup at the Royal Academy of Music in Aarhus, as I take my next steps into classical music and the opportunities around Europe to perform as a trumpeter.
EXPLORING SCANDINAVIA
05.09.19
It's been an exciting year, moving to Denmark, completing my first year of study with professor Kristian Steenstrup, and most recently I had the opportunity to travel to and perform in Sweden with the Aurora Music Festival!
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In addition to performances of Mahler's 1st, Beethoven's 5th and Mendelssohn's 3rd symphonies under the direction of Jukka-Pekka Saraste in Stockholm, Vänersborg and Trollhätten, I've gained invaluable insights from the members of Stockholm Chamber Brass through their guidance and tuition. Given my passion for chamber music, a particular highlight for me was performing Elgar Howarth's arrangement of Handel's Fireworks.
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Whilst enjoying the summer in Aarhus, I was asked to play at three Danish weddings in and around the city. From trumpet and organ duo, to playing as a special feature in a worship band, there are many possibilities to include a trumpet at this kind of festive occasion and it's always a joy for me to be part of!
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This year, I've got a few exciting chamber ensemble projects in the pipeline - watch this space!
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GOING DANISH
10.09.18
What a summer! There was little time to relax after my final recital at Trinity Laban conservatoire, with a full diary of concerts and other engagements before I moved to Denmark in August. It was a real pleasure to complete my four years in London by performing the Boehme trumpet concerto as a soloist with the Bartram Symphony Orchestra at St. James' Church in Sussex Gardens; playing the beautiful cornet solo 'Beneath the Cross' with the Royal Greenwich Brass Band at Regent Hall and Charlton House; and then touring France with Noel Tredinnick and the All Souls Orchestra, soloing Leroy Anderson's 'Trumpeter's Lullaby' at six concerts.
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In the middle of all this, I was delighted to receive the news that Trinity Laban conservatoire has awarded me First Class honours in my B.Mus. (Hons) Trumpet Performance degree.
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On 11th August, I moved to Denmark to take up the wonderful opportunity of two years postgraduate study with Kristian Steenstrup at the Danish Royal Academy of Music. I have long admired Kristian as a trumpeter and as a teacher. The opportunity to develop my trumpet technique and my musicianship with him as my mentor over the next two years, in the setting of Aarhus - the world's happiest city - is a dream come true for me.
My concert diary is not yet as full as it was in London, but I'm looking forward to my first concert here, with The Danish Sinfonietta, in Randers on 7th November. More concert dates will be added in due course. Flights from Stansted to Aarhus are very reasonably-priced for anyone who fancies a weekend experiencing the great classical music scene in Denmark!