Howard Snell

British Trumpet Virtuoso and Conductor

British trumpeter, arranger, bandleader, conductor, composer, teacher & Professor of Trumpet, and author. Born 21 September 1936 in Wollaston, Northamptonshire, England, UK. After studying at the Royal Academy of Music (1953-1956), he entered professional music as a trumpet player, first with the Sadler's Wells Orchestra (1957-1960), and then with The London Symphony Orchestra (09/1960-08/1976), where he was Principal Trumpet and Chairman of the Orchestra. During this period, he also held the position of Principal Trumpet with the London Sinfonietta. On leaving the LSO in August 1976, of the next two years he freelanced in the studios, additionally serving as Principal Trumpet of the English Chamber Orchestra. He terminated his playin career in August 1978. While still in the LSO, he started to develop a career in condunting and, in 1976, he founded The Wren Orchestra, of which he was Musical Director eight years. In 1980, he became conductor for what was known as the The Britannia Building Society Band. Conductor of his own brass band, Howard Snell Brass. He taught at the Royal Northern College Of Music. From 1998 to 2012, he was appointed a Professor at the Royal Academy of Music. Author of 'The Trumpet - It's Practice and Performance, A Guide for Students' and 'The Art of Practice' books.