Natrio Ensemble
Recently formed in 2020, Natrio is an award-winning trumpet trio based in London. Specialising in the performance of both modern and natural trumpets, the ensemble was created to showcase the uniquely varied and dynamic repertoire for trumpet trio and was awarded First Prize in the 2022 Musicians’ Company Brass Ensemble Prize for their diverse programme of Donninger, Britten and Gubaidulina. Though relatively little-known, chamber music for three trumpets spans a wealth of musical styles and genres. From the ceremonial fanfares of the 17th Century to the experimental works of the 21st, Natrio’s performances draw on this exceptionally diverse repertoire to offer wide-ranging and vibrant musical experiences. As the group develops in the future, it is looking forward to expanding its repertoire by continuing to work with contemporary composers as well as building on their outreach work to offer their performances to as wide an audience as possible. Formed while completing their studies at the Royal Academy of Music, Natrio is made up of three London-based freelance trumpeters. Its members currently play professionally in orchestras across the UK and abroad, including work with the Philharmonia, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Concerto Copenhagen, Glyndebourne Touring Opera, Fantasia Orchestra, La Nuova Musica, English National Opera and Southbank Sinfonia, while also performing regularly with chamber ensembles and as soloists.
THE PLAYERS
Having recently graduated with a Master of Arts degree from the Royal Academy of Music, trumpeter Joseph Skypala is beginning a busy freelance career in London and across the UK. A keen orchestral trumpet player, Joseph was a member of the 2022-23 Southbank Sinfonia and has freelanced with many of the UK’s top orchestras including the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, BBC concert orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.
As well as orchestral playing, Joseph enjoys all the aspects and styles playing the trumpet has to offer, one area has been playing in Opera productions such as working with the English National opera and schemes with the Royal Opera House as well as musical theatre productions and pop orchestras.
Solo and chamber work is a major part of Joseph’s day to day schedule, having given world premieres of 2 works in the last year and being a founding member of Natrio, a natural trumpet group regularly performing recitals in London as well as being a member of the European Brass Ensemble.
Twenty-three year old Classical Trumpeter Will Thomas is currently a masters student, with scholarship, at The Royal Academy of Music. He gained a BMus with First Class Honours in 2022 from the Royal Academy of Music, and before this spent six years at The Junior Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
Already working professionally, Will has performed as guest Principal Trumpet with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra as well as working with London based orchestras such as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Knussen Ensemble, Docklands Sinfonia and Luminaire Orchestra, also working with historical performance groups La Nuova Musica and Concerto Copenhagen. As a soloist, he has performed ‘Let the Bright Seraphim’ alongside Elin Manahan Thomas with the Orion Orchestra at St John Smith’s Square as well as recently playing Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto with the Kew Sinfonia.
In addition to this, Will is currently the recipient of the Help Musicians Ian Fleming Award for 2023/24, a Charlotte Fraser Scholarship Winner for 2022-24, a Countess of Munster Artist 2023/24 and recently been awarded the Timothy Bowers Royal Academy of Music Academic Achievement Award.
Nick Budd is a freelance trumpeter based in London. He recently completed his Masters degree at the Royal Academy of Music, where he was kindly supported by Help Musicians UK and the Countess of Munster Musical Trust, and previously studied Music at Christ Church, Oxford.
Nick has featured as a recent soloist with the Ealing Symphony Orchestra, Chameleon Arts Orchestra and Barnett Symphony Orchestra, performing trumpet concertos by Haydn, Hummel and Malcolm Arnold. As a soloist he has also given recitals with both piano and organ, most recently performing a programme of French trumpet works at Brasenose College, Oxford.
Nick regularly plays with freelance orchestras across London and recently performed with the Glyndebourne Tour Orchestra as part of their Pit Perfect Scheme. A keen chamber musician, he also founded Natrio—a trumpet trio performing on both modern and period instruments— which went on to win First Prize in the Musicians’ Company Brass Ensemble Competition.