BIOGRAPHY

James Druce started his musical career as a chorister at St Paul’s Cathedral at the age of eight, performing up to 9 times a week with highlighted solos including: a BBC Radio 3 Broadcast, a mini-tour of London Cathedrals and many Royal engagements. Moving to Warwick School in 2012, James quickly progressed as a trombonist. During his school years he achieved Principal Trombone of the National Youth Wind Orchestra (2014-17) and awards such as Rotary Young Musician, Leamington Competitive Music Festival and the Gertrude Bark Award.

James is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music and is currently studying at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire for a performance Diploma. His particular highlights at the Academy included recording Strauss Festmusik der Stadt Wien and playing with the Philharmonia, Czech Philharmonic and Septura.

His professional debut was with the Grand Philharmonic Orchestra on Principal Trombone in Mumbai in 2018. James has also played with orchestras including the English National Ballet, Longborough Opera, British Sinfonietta, Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Birmingham Royal Ballet Sinfonia, as well as touring as Principal Trombone with the Berlin Opera Academy and Pro Youth Philharmonic.

James’ solo portfolio focusses on re-imagined works for Trombone, with the majority of his repertoire arranged and transcribed by himself. Particular highlights include recitals at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall, Leicester Cathedral, St Mary’s Collegiate Church Warwick, Holy Trinity Stratford-upon-Avon, St Alphege Solihull and St Matthew’s Church Bayswater.

James is a founder member of the brass septet Arc Brass and enjoys arranging works which have been performed by several brass ensembles in competitions, recitals and recordings across the UK.