International Trumpet Holidays

Mark, with over 20 years as Principal Trumpet in the Philharmonia Orchestra, currently holds the prestigious position of Principal Trumpet at the Academy of St Martin in the Fields. Additionally, he is a esteemed member of the Nash Ensemble. Mark has shone as a soloist in notable performances, including Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto and Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 2, captivating audiences at the Royal Festival Hall with the Philharmonia Orchestra. He has continued to enchant listeners as a soloist with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, both in London and across Europe. His discography as a symphonic trumpeter is extensive and diverse, reflecting the breadth of his musical mastery.
Beyond his roles as a performer, Mark dedicates his time to teaching and outreach. His impact as an educator and clinician is evident in the success of his former students, who hold prominent positions in orchestras worldwide. Mark’s commitment as both a performer and educator underscores his multifaceted contribution to the world of classical music.

The talented Belgian trumpeter stands out as a musical force with a vast and boundless passion. Praised for his exceptional technical ability and sensitive musicality, his repertoire spans different eras, from Baroque to contemporary music and jazz. As a soloist, he has performed with prestigious orchestras such as the NHK Symphony, Vienna Symphony, Konzerthausorchester Berlin, NDR Symphony Orchestra, and the Orchestre Philharmoniques of Strasbourg and Luxembourg. Leading these performances are luminaries such as Alan Gilbert, Yakov Kreizberg, Jun Märkl, and Matthias Pintscher.
Berwaerts is a frequent guest at major music festivals worldwide, including the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival, Niedersächsische Musiktage, Takefu International Music Festival in Japan, Ars Musica in Belgium, Festspiele Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and the Rheingau Musik Festival. Known for revitalizing the trumpet’s standard repertoire with inventive programs and unconventional contexts, Berwaerts has made a mark. One of his programs juxtaposes Handel’s Feuerwerksmusik and dances from Rameau’s opera Dardarus with the chansons of Jacques Brel. Berwaerts often takes on vocal roles in such programs, showcasing his versatility. In addition to his career as a trumpeter, he completed jazz singing studies at the Royal Conservatory of Ghent. Berwaerts’ commitment to contemporary music is reflected in the numerous world premieres he has performed, including Toshio Hosokawa’s second trumpet concerto, *Im Nebel*, and Francesco Filidei’s *Carnevale*. He is the second trumpeter in the world, after Håkan Hardenberger, to add HK Gruber’s *Busking* (2007) to his repertoire. His discography is diverse, featuring recordings like *Signals from Heaven* with Salaputia Brass, Hindemith’s trumpet sonata with Alexander Melnikov, and recordings of Shostakovich’s Concerto for Piano, Trumpet, and Orchestra under the direction of Teodor Currentzis, and Toshio Hosokawa’s *Voyage VII* with the Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg.
Berwaerts studied with the renowned trumpet virtuoso Reinhold Friedrich in Karlsruhe. Since 2008, he has been a Professor of Trumpet at the Hochschule für Musik in Hannover. Additionally, he holds the position of Professor in Residence at the Royal Academy of Music in London and is an official Yamaha Artist.

Michele Nurchis is a Sardinian pianist, organist, and harpsichordist with a successful music career both in Italy and abroad. He has performed in various countries including Mexico, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, and Malta, gaining recognition as a soloist, chamber musician, and continuo player.