Photograph by Pete Beck
I’m currently living and playing in the UK, with performance experience in England, Scotland, the USA and South Africa as a principal and recitalist, and in the high baroque repertoire. Published and ongoing research interests are in the performance, history and architecture of trumpets. I also play the corno da caccia, natural trumpet, cornett, cornet and flugelhorn.
Initially self-taught, in adulthood kind men offered me free formative lessons. Charles Few had come through the Chicago school as a pupil of the legendary Cichowicz and after 50 years is still a friend and mentor; Georges Frans of the French school was a Paris Conservatoire medallist; and Sean Kierman, a hornist and pedagogue, was profoundly influential. Masterclasses followed much later with Reinhold Friedrich, Chris Martin and James Watson. En route I was fortunate to perform with Renold Schilke, Robert Jenner, John Wilbraham, Eddie Calvert and David Mason.
CURRENTLY . . . . . . . . . .
I am principal in the Cambridge Philharmonic Orchestra, and in The Sampson Orchestra (Cambridge), having previously held principal positions in the Bath Symphony Orchestra (1980-2019) and in the Cheltenham Chamber Orchestra (2006-2021), England’s finest and most enjoyable chamber orchestra.
PREVIOUSLY . . . . . . . . . .
ENGLAND (* indicates principal trumpet or soloist) Academy of St Mary Redcliffe*, Argyle Orchestra*, Bath Cantata Group*, Bath Symphony Orchestra*, Brandon Hill Chamber Orchestra*, Bristol Chamber Orchestra*, Bristol Choral Society Orchestra*, Bath Choral Society Orchestra*, Cambridge Philharmonic Orchestra*, Cheltenham Chamber Orchestra*, Music for Architecture*, Musicians South West*, New Bristol Sinfonia*, Philharmonia of Bristol*, Sampson Orchestra (Cambridge)*, St John’s Orchestra Bath*
SCOTLAND Edinburgh University Symphony Orchestra*, Scottish Brass Quintet*, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Scottish Sinfonia*
UNITED STATES American Dance Theatre Orchestra, Duke University Orchestra*, Elon Brass Quintet*
SOUTH AFRICA: SABC (National) Symphony Orchestra, Cape Town Symphony Orchestra, Johannesburg Jewish Orchestra*, Johannesburg Symphony Orchestra*, National Youth Orchestra*, Port Elizabeth Municipal Orchestra*, University of Port Elizabeth Orchestra*
Reviews
“Fabulous playing, beautiful sound.”
“…this remarkably gifted soloist… the assurance and skill of a seasoned musician…”
“…phenomenal talent…a smooth and silvery tone…phrasing was admirable…”
“The star turn of the evening was a scintillating performance of Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto by Colin Bloch.”
“…there must be special mention of the purity of Colin Bloch’s obbligato…”
“…a fine clarion ring…a highly commendable obbligato…”
“Colin Bloch as a soloist can only be described in superlatives.”
“…a sweetness of tone on an instrument that in less capable hands can be more tormenting than pleasing…”
“…added dramatic sparkle…”