Toby Coles
Principal Trumpet

Started playing aged: 6

Training: Royal Academy Of Music

How did you get involved in playing with OOTS? I can't remember! I think I was a dep!

What is one of your best experiences with OOTS? Appearing as soloist in Shostakovich's Piano Concerto no 1

Why did you choose to learn the trumpet? For it's quiet possibilities...

What do you enjoy doing in your free time? Watching films, boxing and buying rubbish on ebay.

If you weren't a musician, what would you like to be instead? A Las Vegas Casino owner.

What's been your best tour experience? Meeting Tom Jones surrounded be very young ladies at an after concert party!

What is your most annoying habit? My neighbours would probably say practicing the trumpet.

How do you deal with pre-concert nerves? Embrace them with open arms!

What sort of music do you listen to when you're unwinding after a long day at work? Miles Davis, Wynton Marsalis, Al Jarreau

Any embarrassing playing anecdotes? Almost daily. Not printable though. Usually involving mild incontinence, weak stomach control, high notes and running off stages or out of pits...

What instrument do you play? An Eclipse which is not even a year old - custom made for me.