James Fountain

James Fountain is Principal Trumpet of the London Symphony Orchestra and serves as Professor of Trumpet at the Royal College of Music. He is also a member of the acclaimed brass ensemble Septura and the contemporary music group Neoteric Ensemble.

James grew up surrounded by music and began playing the cornet at the age of three. As a young musician, he became Principal Cornet of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain and the GUS Brass Band, later joining the Grimethorpe Colliery Brass Band as Principal Cornet at just 17.

James studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama before being appointed Principal Trumpet of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in 2015. After five years with the RPO, he became Principal Trumpet of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, before taking up his current position with the London Symphony Orchestra in 2021.

In addition to his orchestral career, James has performed on numerous film, video game, and television soundtracks. He has collaborated with leading composers including Danny Elfman, Hans Zimmer, Alan Menken, and Howard Shore.