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 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. Gary has been principal cornet of the Kettering Citadel Band of The Salvation Army for many years.

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 nearly two decades, 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's sons, James and Thomas, have both gone on to be professional trumpet players. James was previously principal trumpet of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the age of just 20 and is now principal with the London Symphony Orchestra. Thomas is the principal trumpet of the Ulster Orchestra.  Both have been winners of the Radio 2 Young Brass Player of the Year.

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