User:BrendanBall

Brendan Ball is a UK/Irish trumpeter. He was born in 1966 in Southport, Lancashire. Ball has made an impact in the classical music industry as both a recording artist and a producer. He is a respected teacher too.

As a youth, Ball gained his grounding in the brass bands of the North West of England, a movement he is still dedicated to. As a youngster he won many prizes in solo competitions.

The well known brass ensemble expert and famous trumpeter, Philip Jones, recommended Ball apply for a government scholarship to study classical trumpet at Chethams School of Music in Manchester. Whilst at the world famous music school Ball was a finalist in the BBC Young Musician of the Year and became a regular recitalist and soloist.

After winning a Foundation scholarship to the Royal College of Music in London, Ball embarked on six years of study with David Mason, of Penny Lane fame, Michael Laird (the developer of the modern natural trumpet), Stanley Woods (co-Principal of the London Philharmonic Orchestra) and John Wilbraham, the world famous soloist and orchestra/session musician.

Ball is a noted symphony orchestra player, having been involved in many award winning recordings of the canonic repertoire. Having been noted for piccolo trumpet playing of the baroque repertoire, Ball has steadily evolved into a respected interpreter of contemporary music. Modern works he has collaborated on are almost countless, many interpretations winning accolades whilst highly original solo works he has brought into the mainstream repertoire number more than fifty world premieres. A renowned virtuoso performer, Ball has received many accolalades, including a 'Technical Wizard' and the 'Trumpetdemon'.

Ball has always varied his career almost equally between commercial and classical music. He appears on many well known rock and pop releases and many orchestra recordings.

He has won many accolades for chamber music too, having been a member of several cutting edge ensembles, including ensemble 10.10.

Known for a sense of stylised fun and an outrageous dress sense on stage, Ball now works out of Malta, travelling around the world to fulfil his dream of creating new sounds and engaging in multi faceted musical theatre to bring entertainment to audiences everywhere.

Students of Ball continue to occupy prestigious positions in orchestras, ensembles, as soloists, as educators and generally knowledgeable exponents of the art of trumpet playing.