I played third trumpet in Johann Sebastian Bach’s Christmas Oratorio (BWV 248) at the University Church of St Mary the Virgin, Oxford, on Saturday 3 January 2026. The performance, featuring cantatas I, II, and VI of the Christmas Oratorio, was given by Oxford Bach Soloists and conducted by Steven Grahl. The soloists were Mariana Rodrigues (soprano), Stephanie Franklin (alto), Nicholas Mulroy (tenor), and Ben Davies (bass). Last year I performed the Christmas Oratorio with Oxford Bach Soloists at SJE Arts in Oxford and St James Piccadilly in London.

After a busy December on tour with Vox Luminis and spending time with my family over Christmas, it all caught up with me and I was inevitably ill in the final week of December. Like Oxford Bach Soloists’ performance of the Christmas Oratorio—this happens every year! Fortunately I was much better by the time of this performance, but still a little under my usual lung capacity.