A MASTERCLASS will be led by Rod Franks, principal trumpet with the London Symphony Orchestra, who is returning to his roots to inspire the next generation of musicians.

He is coming back to the University of Huddersfield where he developed his love of music, to join forces with current students on Thursday.

Rod, who began playing the cornet in his local band at the age of six, leaving school in the early 1970s to attend what’s now the town’s university at the age of only 15.

He joined Black Dyke at the age of 17 – he was the only student in the band – the rest of the members working in the mill.

He studied with Maurice Murphy and the late Philip Jones, both legendary names in the trumpet world.

Rod later shared principal’s desk with Maurice in the London Symphony Orchestra before Maurice’s retirement in 2007.

Rod is a founding member of the English Brass Ensemble and London Brass. In 1988 he joined the London Symphony Orchestra and in 1990 was promoted to join his former teacher Maurice Murphy on Principal Trumpet.

Rod has taught trumpet at the Royal Northern College of Music, the Guildhall and the Royal Academy of Music and gives recitals and masterclasses throughout the world.

His next masterclass brings him back to where he started.

He’ll lead the session on Thursday, February 25, at 1.15pm at St Paul’s Hall with trumpet students from the Department of Music.

The event is open to the public and admission is free.