The Orchestra's brass players perform mainly on historical instruments - for the horns and trumpets these are 'natural' instruments without valves, but rather using crooks in different keys to achieve the range of notes needed for each piece of music. In the case of the trombones, a variety of instruments are used; the first player will normally use the smaller alto trombone, with the second performing on a small-bore trombone. The third player, or bass, also plays on a smaller instrument than would be used in a modern orchestra - similar in size to the modern tenor trombone.  The trumpets are joined by drums - hand-hammered copper timpani or kettledrums. Unlike their modern equivalents, these drums are not tuned using pedals, but rather 'taps' which tighten the cow-hide skins.

Edward Mills principal	Michael Fletcher co-principal	Emily Allen principal	Emma Whitney principal

	Trumpets and Drums
Hugh Fairbairn principal trumpet	Ola Olsson	Ben Hartley principal timpani
	Trombones
David Carnac principal	Phil Cambridge	Deirdre Box