James Hall

James grew up locally in Lancashire where he took up the trombone at the age of 13. Soon after, he joined St Helens Youth Brass Band under the inspirational leadership of Lynda Nicholson. Later, he was awarded a scholarship to study for his undergraduate degree at Birmingham Conservatoire and more recently studied for his master’s degree at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. He has performed in some of the country’s finest concert halls including Symphony Hall and the Bridgewater Hall. A particular highlight of his was as a featured soloist with the Birmingham Conservatoire brass band in a Concerto performance written especially for him by Clara Catt. He was a recipient of the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble prize in 2015 as part of the quintet ’Lowry Brass’ who were featured on BBC Radio 4. As a conductor James has worked with various local brass bands most recently Skelmersdale Prize Band. He is the Musical Director of St Helens Youth Brass Band and lower brass tutor with the Lancashire Youth Brass Band. Orchestrally, James has guest conducted the St Helens Sinfonietta. James works in schools for Lancashire Music Service as a brass teacher and workshop leader and at Scarisbrick Hall School as Musician in Residence.