James Fountain

James Fountain is a Trumpet Professor at the Royal College of Music, Principal Trumpet of the London Symphony Orchestra, and a member of the acclaimed brass ensemble Septura and the innovative Neoteric Ensemble. His career spans orchestral performance, chamber music, and studio recordings.

• Principal Cornet: National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, GUS Brass Band, Grimethorpe Colliery Brass Band (from age 17)
• Principal Trumpet: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (2015–2021), London Philharmonic Orchestra (before 2021), London Symphony Orchestra (2021–)

James Fountain's research and teaching interests focus on brass performance techniques, historical brass traditions, and contemporary ensemble practices. As a studio musician, he has collaborated with composers like Danny Elfman and Hans Zimmer on film, video game, and TV soundtracks.

He studied at Guildhall School of Music and Drama (BMus) and grew up immersed in brass band culture, starting cornet at age 3.

Performance affiliations:

• Septura (brass ensemble)
• Neoteric Ensemble (innovative new music group)