Page updated: 08 June 2006
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Born into an all musical Leicestershire family, James Watson began playing the cornet with the Desford Colliery Band. By the time he was eleven years old he had become principal cornet at Desford. For three years in succession in the late 1960's he was the Junior Solo Champion of Great Britain and in 1966 he achieved the unique double by winning the senior title in the same year at only fourteen years of age! After studying at the Royal Academy of Music, he was appointed Principal Trumpet of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra by Rudolf Kempe. James later held the same position with the London Sinfonietta and the Nash Ensemble. After five years with the R.P.O. he left to concentrate on playing solo and chamber music, most notably leading the legendary Philip Jones Brass Ensemble. From 1983 to 1990 James was the Principal Trumpet at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. |
He is currently Professor of Trumpet and Head of Brass at the Royal Academy of Music and in 1989 the Academy honoured him with a fellowship. He is particularly active in film and television and has recorded with pop legends Elton John, Paul McCartney and Peter Gabriel. James Watson was until recently the Artistic Director of Black Dyke Band (1992-2000) and Principal Conductor of the National Youth Brass Band of Wales for six years. He is currently Artistic Director of the National Youth Symphonic Brass Wales and Vice-President of the National Youth Wind Orchestra of Great Britain. In 1996 he was awarded the Iles Medal by the Worshipful Company of Musicians for services to brass music. James spent an afternoon with us working on one of the new additions to our repertoire – Paris Sketches by Martin Ellerby. Through working on this piece, James shared his many years’ playing, conducting and teaching experience and worked with us on the wider aspects of our playing. These included: sound production, ensuring that the sound fills the room; using our breathing to support the sound quality we want to achieve; and allowing the tune to flow, by playing it as though it were being sung. Most importantly though, one of James key messages was that we should always take the time to enjoy everything we do. We are very thankful to James for taking some of his time to tutor the band and provide his guidance. This has been a valuable experience, which we hope to be able to repeat in the future. Click on the images below to see our rehearsal with James: |
