Gary Fountain

Gary Fountain started playing cornet at the age of 10, and it was through attending a number of Salvation Army music schools that his love for music making developed. He was a member of both the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain (NYBBGB) and a founder member of The Young Ambassadors Brass Band of Great Britain.

In 1990 Gary joined the world renowned International Staff Band on solo cornet, sitting next to David Daws for several years. After some time out of the band, Gary rejoined in 2005 as the band's soprano cornet player. He also sat in the soprano cornet seat for the GUS Band for over a decade, and has recorded several solos on CD for both bands. Gary has been principal cornet of the Kettering Citadel Band of The Salvation Army for many years.

In addition, Gary has guested with several of the premier bands in the UK, including Black Dyke, Cory, Fairey's and Foden's.

In his professional life, Gary has been employed by Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Trust as a brass instrumental teacher, conductor and brass project facilitator for the last 15 years, where he teaches beginners up to diploma students, preparing them for entry to music college. He is a guest examiner/adjudicator for end of year recitals at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire of Music. Gary is experienced in face-to-face and zoom delivery of teaching lessons.

Gary's sons, James and Thomas, have both gone on to be professional trumpet players and took lessons with Gary from when they were beginners. James was previous principal trumpet of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the age of just 20 and is now principal with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. He is also a studio recording artist and previous principal cornet of the NYBBGB, Grimethorpe Colliery and GUS Bands. Thomas has recently gained his Masters in trumpet performance at the Royal College of Music, attaining Distinction. He was also previously principal cornet of the NYBBGB and is the present principal cornet of GUS Band. Both have been winners of the Radio 2 Young Brass Player of the Year. We are delighted that Gary, James and Thomas are all Associated Artists for BrookWright Music!