I was delighted to perform with Vox Luminis. I was deputising for a trumpet player who had been too ill to travel. I found everybody in the group to be exceptionally welcoming and friendly; it was clear from the beginning of the rehearsal that it would be an enjoyable few days. There was a lot of energy and positivity from the singers and players and there was a real collective feel - a fantastic group effort - and everyone seemed to trust others and be trusted themselves.

There were some familiar faces in the group, I know Tomáš Král from various projects in Poland (including the Wratislavia Cantans Festival, Gorczycki and Mielczewski CDs) and I toured with Sophie Junker and the Academy of Ancient Music back in June 2012 - we bumped into each other in Venice too. By another coincidence, Simon Robson was (rather brilliantly, I must say) narrating the story of 'King Arthur' as part of the performance. I know Simon because I used to teach his son the trumpet! It was fantastic to be reunited with these wonderful people and to meet many new people in Vox Luminis. I met and played alongside Bremen-based trumpet player, Rudolph Lörinc and Polish percussionist, Marianna Soroka.




I also had chance meetings with old friends from the Royal Northern College of Music - they were in Aldeburgh with Opera North, performing Britten's 'Billy Budd' as part of the Aldeburgh Festival. I enjoyed the festival atmosphere and we enjoyed wonderful weather in Suffolk.