Marcus Pope Trumpet

I've been with the orchestra for nearly 15 years and there is one concert that I will always remember. We performed in Bratislava in Slovakia and the atmosphere was the best I'd ever experienced. Every seat was taken and eager students stood and listened in the aisles.

I grew up in Essex and studied music at the Royal Northern College of Music and was influenced by Philip Jones who had the enviable combination of great style and the courage to be different.

I love swing and have formed The Kings of Swing Big Band, which bringstogether my love of the style of music and the opportunity to take the band on education and community outreach projects. These have proved really popular and great fun.

If I was on a desert island, I'd have to take my trumpet, my family (Jane, Harry, Leo and Alex) and probably a big tent. I might try and sneek a recording of my favourite piece of music which is Sing, Sing, Sing, as played by Benny Goodman with Gene Krupa on Drums and Harry James on trumpet. It is music that's full of joie de vivre!

Performing with the orchestra and running The Kings of Swing Big Band, as well as having three children, keeps me pretty busy most of the time. When I can, I try to educate myself more - I relish challenge and the opportunity to bring musical excellence to all in Scotland and beyond. Scotland is brimming with immense musical talent - I hope that with the RSNO's award-winning education programme and my own big band, that people get the chance to see and hear it for themselves.

Marcus is the founder manager of The Lovers of Swing Orchestra and you can find out more at www.marcuspopemusic.co.uk

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