Biography

Alex Hocknull is a horn player currently studying at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire with Andrew Littlemore, Simon de Souza, Elspeth Dutch, and Jeremy Bushell. Alex is returning to the conservatoire on a full scholarship to study for a Post Graduate Certificate in Instrumental Performance after receiving first class honours for his undergraduate degree.

Alex took an unusual route into the music profession as illness forced him to give up the horn at the age of 12. It was not until ten years later that he picked up the horn again, quickly becoming inspired to pursue it as a career. After two more years of focused practise and study with renowned horn teacher Simon de Souza, Alex began his undergraduate degree and hasn’t looked back.

Now in the early stages of his professional career, Alex has performed with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, made his concerto debut with Richard Strauss’ Second Horn Concerto, and was selected as the 2023 student-in-residence with the Royal Ballet Sinfonia. Alex is also in demand as a chamber musician, having played at the Three Choirs Festival, Birmingham International Piano Chamber Music Festival, and winning the Bernard Brown Chamber Music Prize in 2022.

Award: Biddy Baxter & John Hosier Music Trust Scholarship 2023

Page updated: 30 January 2024

Photo credit: Chris Christodoulou