Alex Brain

Alex enjoys working as an exceptionally versatile trumpet player; he trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, and is almost unique in having completed an undergraduate degree in Jazz trumpet before gaining a Masters distinction in Orchestral Artistry (Trumpet). Professional Orchestral highlights include: working as an extra player with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, New London Orchestra and English Sinfonietta, and as guest principal trumpet with the Orion Orchestra and London Firebird Orchestra and as the deputy for the London Film Music Orchestra. Alex also held a permanent trumpet position with the Vratsa Symphony Orchestra in Bulgaria for a short while during the pandemic. Opera experience includes work as guest principal trumpet with the Hampstead Garden Opera, Pegasus Opera Company and the Midsummer Opera Company as well as Uncovered Opera. Commercial music highlights include; regular guest playing with the London Jazz Orchestra (including as lead trumpet), with Urban Soul Orchestra and as guest lead trumpet on 'Bond by Candlelight' around the UK, as well as guest lead trumpet player with the Swing Machine Jazz Orchestra in Wells and the Praise Factory Big Band in London. Alex also has significant function band experience including with Boujee Music's Uptown Showdown, Salut band, Seven band, Central Avenue band, King of the Swinger's band, Hootini band and Hornstars. As a Musical Theatre performer, experience includes; as a deputy on 'Bat Out of Hell' at the Dominion Theatre in London's West End and on 'Evita' with the Bath Light Operatic Group and a successful extra-player audition for the Welsh Musical Theatre Orchestra. Alex has also performed the musicals: Seussical, Little Shop of Horrors, Jesus Christ Superstar, Cinderella and Guys and Dolls. Alex has worked on sessions with groups including the Northern Film Orchestra and the Guildhall Session Orchestra and has also worked on freelance sessions for British Airways. He has recorded in Abbey Road Studios and Angel Studios amongst others. Private teaching experience for more than seven years, including students who have won positions in the National Children's Orchestra of Great Britain. Alex has performed at venues including: the Barbican Hall, Royal Festival Hall (Southbank Centre), Symphony Hall (Birmingham), St. David's Hall (Cardiff). Milton Court Concert Hall, Cadogan Hall, the Lighthouse (Poole), Henry Wood Hall, Cedar Hall (Wells), Pizza Express Jazz Club (Soho), the Vortex Jazz Club and Salisbury, Exeter, Wells, Lincoln and Ely Cathedrals. Alex has played under the baton of notable conductors including: Sir Simon Rattle, Michael Tilson-Thomas, Marin Alsop, Vasily Sinaisky, Ben Gernon, Natalie Murray-Beale, Toby Purser and Richard Balcombe.