It has been three months since my last performance, which took place in York in December 2020. I am fortunate enough to have performed even this 'recently'; despite all adversity, just enough performing work has come my way to keep me physically and mentally agile as a trumpet player. I am also fortunate to be healthy, and physically unscathed by the coronavirus.

Recent months seem to have passed by both quickly and slowly. The ubiquity of everyday life in lockdown, without noticeable milestones (even something as banal as visiting the barbers) seems to have blurred the margins of time. Days can feel long, yet weeks can feel somehow short. There has been time to think, reflect, and to take a step back; breathing room is an ironic consequence of a pandemic brought by this catastrophic respiratory disease. For some this has involved huge life changes, but for me it has heightened my resolve to continue doing what I love (and to develop my instrument making techniques). I have certainly missed performing, social contact with colleagues and, of course, live music. It was with a great feeling of relief that I had the chance to break the latest bout of silence, and it was only when I returned to this project that I realised how much I had been missing performing and the wonderful chaos, if I may call it that, of freelancing.

This project was entitled 'Breaking the Silence - Bach's B minor mass' and it featured the orchestra and choir from the Oxford Bach Soloists with their director Tom Hammond-Davies. The performance will be available online, given in four weekly episodes starting on 9th April 2021.