Well, after the Welsh rugby team's mauling last week I'm not in the best of spirits to be honest, but we have a chance to redeem ourselves later today against the Scots so I'm looking forward to that...!

The last week few days have been busy, not least with various concert offers and rehearsals with the Chetham's Chamber Orchestra for performances next week. We're playing the Ibert Divertissement, which isn't standard orchestral excerpt repertoire, but I'd certainly reccommend that any young players have a look at it as it is quite tricky in places.

I've also noticed that a thread has been started on the Brass Forum website for this blog. Although I probably won't be able to post much due to lack of time, I will endeavour to answer any general questions through the blog, and will try as best I can to answer any more particular questions asap.

One thing that did come up was a question regarding my "modern" piece for the BBC Young Musician Brass Final, of which I gave the U.K. premiere last week. Aftershock, by Eric Ewazen, is an emotive work for unaccompanied trumpet, which depicts the pain and anguish of many New Yorkers in the aftermath of 9/11. As Mr. Ewazen works at the Julliard School, this is obviously an issue close to his heart, which he portrays with feeling and great sentiment. He described it to me as a 'dramatic soliloquy,' and I sincerely hope that the piece is performed many more times in the U.K. and beyond. Although not as "tuneful" as some of his other works, Aftershock makes a brilliant addition and contrast to any recital programme.

With only two more lessons to go before BBC, things are really hotting up, and I'm also recording the Tomasi Concerto later today.......on that note, I better go and practise!