James Thomas

James studied trombone at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where he was taught by Simon Wills, Eric Crees, Chris Houlding, Peter Gane, Mark Templeton, and John Kenny. James is a member of the Dorset Opera Festival Orchestra and Pro Youth Philharmonia. Chamber highlights include winning the Pro Corda National Chamber Music Competition, performing in Wigmore Hall, and performing at the Swaledale Music Festival. Notable musical theatre engagements include Phantom of the Opera with Milton Morrissey Productions, One Enchanted Evening at Glastonbury Abbey, which was endorsed by Sir Cameron Mackintosh and Michael Eavis, as well as principal trombone with the Italia Conti Academy. Jazz engagements include performing at Bristol Jazz Festival, Glastonbury Extravaganza and recording on Radio 3 RTHK with a live studio audience in Hong Kong. James also enjoys playing in DT8, a lively local Somerset function band