James Pillai

FRENCH HORN

James Pillai is the French horn player for Riverside Brass Quintet. Our instrumentalists are all professionally trained, so if you want to hire musicians individually, do get in touch.

james-pillai-horn-5
James’ interest in brass playing started at an early age, taking up the tenor horn at just 7 years old. At 10 he moved onto the French horn, soon joining the Royal College of Music’s Junior Department where he studied with Susan Dent for 4 years. This ultimately led to him gaining a scholarship to the RCM where he studied with Simon Rayner, Nigel Black and John Ryan. James graduated in July of this year.

James has a wide range of orchestral experience and regularly performs with ensembles such as the Philharmonia Orchestra, the Aurora Orchestra and the London Symphony Orchestra where he is currently on trail for the position of 3rd horn.

James has also played regularly with the RCM Symphony Orchestra, performances which have included An Alpine Symphony with Bernard Haitink and Mahler’s Symphony No. 5 with Lorin Maazel. Following this, James went on an 8-week tour with a select number of RCM musicians to the USA and Canada, where he played for Maazel’s Opera Orchestra.

In his spare time James enjoys golf and cycling, and is also an avid fan of Watford Football Club, where he is a season ticket holder.

Looking to hire musicians or hire a French horn player? You can contact James directly at: james@riversidebrass.co.uk