Alison Balsom

Alison Balsom (born 1978, Hertfordshire) is an English trumpet soloist. She studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama the Paris Conservatory, and also with Håkan Hardenberger. She is a BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist, and she released her debut album with EMI Classics in 2002. In 2005, she released her second disc, "Bach Works for Trumpet" as part of a new exclusive contract with EMI Classics. In 2006, Alison won 'Young British Classical Performer' at the 2006 Classical BRIT Awards and was also awarded the 'Classic FM Listeners' Choice Award' at the Classic FM Gramophone Awards. Her third album (the second disc in the EMI contract), "Caprice" was released in September 2006 and was awarded the title of 'Solo CD of the Year 2006' by Brass Band World magazine.

Aside from music, Alison has a keen interest in Yachting.

Balsom's main trumpet is a Malone-converted Bach C Trumpet.

Discography

*Alison Balsom: "Haydn and Hummel Trumpet Concertos" (EMI Classics, 2008)
*Alison Balsom: "Caprice" (EMI Classics, 2006)
*Alison Balsom: "Bach works for Trumpet" (EMI Classics, 2005)
*Alison Balsom: "Music for Trumpet and Organ" (EMI Classics Debut, 2002)

Awards

*Classic FM Listeners' Choice Award, Classic FM Gramophone Award 2006
*Young British Performer at the Classical BRIT Awards, 2006
*Feeling Musique Prize for quality of sound in the 4th Maurice André International Trumpet Competition.
*Concerto finalist in the BBC Young Musicians Competition, 1998

External links

* [http://www.alisonbalsom.com Alison Balsom Official website]
* [http://www.emiclassics.co.uk/search_new.php?q=alison%20balsom Alison Balsom recordings on EMI Classics]
* [http://www.alisonbalsomcaprice.com Caprice album microsite]
* [http://www.balsomhaydn.com Haydn & Hummel album microsite]
* [http://www.myspace.com/alisonbalsom Alison Balsom on MySpace]