James Fountain (3)

Classical trumpeter & cornettist, and Professor of Trumpet. Born in Kettering, Northamptonshire, England, UK.
He joined the Kettering Citadel Young People's Band at an early age. Aged 14, he joined The National Youth Brass Band Of Great Britain and sat Principal Cornet of the band for eight consecutive courses. From 14 years of age, he was the Principal Cornet with the Virtuosi GUS Band for three years. In 2011, aged 17, he was appointed Principal Cornet of The Grimethorpe Colliery Band. Leaving the band in 2012, to study trumpet in London, he returned to The Gus Band; he relinquished his position with GUS as Principal Cornet in October 2015. He studied at The Guildhall School Of Music & Drama from 2012 to 2015. In June 2014, at only 20 years of age, he was appointed as the Principal Trumpet of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, a position he held until February 2020. From February 2020 to December 2021 he held the post of Principal Trumpet with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Principal Trumpet of the London Symphony Orchestra since December 2021. Member of the brass ensemble Septura and the innovative new music group Neoteric Ensemble. Professor of Trumpet at the Royal College of Music, London since April 2019.
Older brother of Thomas Fountain, who succeeded James as Principal in The GUS Band in 2015.