RSM People: James Turnbull
Getting the support you need is about so much more than just the money, it’s about getting it on time and with care. That was oboist James Turnbull’s experience when he needed to turn to RSM for help.
Can you tell us more about your music education and career? What made you want to become a musician and then specialise in oboe and cor anglais?
I started the oboe aged seven after hearing the instrument being played on the radio. Like many oboists, it was the sound that I fell in love with. After school I studied music at university before going to music college for a year in London and then spending four years studying and making a living as a musician in Germany. I've spent the past decade or so since returning to the UK by balancing my performing and teaching work in a variety of settings. I love both aspects of my working life and for me it is variety that I enjoy the most. I feel very lucky to have been guided and supported by truly incredible musicians along the way and I do my upmost to pass this on to the generation that follows mine into the profession. I care deeply about music education and also furthering the repertoire. As an oboist we've been lucky to have trailblazers like Leon Goossens, Janet Craxton and Nicholas Daniel who have invested their energies so heavily in working with composers to inspire a new body of repertoire. It is this kind of work that I value so much and do my best to continue in whatever way I can. Over the years this has involved setting up my own initiatives the New Oboe Music Project to promote new repertoire.
When did you first hear about RSM and what made you want to become a Member?
I heard of the RSM years ago when a string player I worked with had mentioned their incredible support over the years. In recent years, I've spent more of my time involved in music charities and so I try to engage with them as much as possible because I know how crucial the support they give can be to musicians. In 2021 I joined the British Double Reed Society as Chair and this sharpened my focus even more in how important it was to engage and support the incredible charities that help to break down barriers within the music world or give much needed support to musicians.
I ended up becoming a member of RSM in Autumn 2022 because I felt that it was important to support the work the charity does for those who are very much in need within the profession. I didn't realise I would end up needing RSM's support until February 2024 when I was struggling with a health issue that was stopping me from performing.
When did you first notice the issue and how did it affect your playing?
I knew that it was likely I had a health issue going back to early 2023. The past couple of years have been particularly challenging for musicians coming through a series of covid related set backs to the industry and loss of crucial funding opportunities putting pressure on our ecosystem of music making opportunities. I kept my head down and set off each day thinking I could just deal with it later when things were calmer again. That continued until February 2024 when I realised the situation had worsened to the point that I couldn't keep playing for more than 10-15 mins at a time. I knew then I had to get surgery quickly and trying to arrange this while knowing that I was having to turn away performing opportunities was dire. It affected me considerably as I felt foolish for not confronting the issue sooner. I was also facing the situation that paying the bills would soon become an issue if I couldn't continue to play.
What was the process of applying for support like?
RSM are truly remarkable in the support they offer but also how they go about this. I had to move quickly to avoid further loss of income and at every step of the way RSM made it as easy and stress free as possible to get support. RSM were able to get me a response so quickly too which meant that the period of not knowing if surgery was feasible was relatively short. I'm so incredibly grateful for the support I received. Making music is now possible in a way that I don't think has been the case for several years. I can also plan for the future knowing that my health is now stronger than ever and the financial implications of this time have not left my family with insurmountable challenges.
How is your recovery progressing?
I'm well and truly back now. Within a month of my surgery I was back in the recording studio for five to six hours a day and it has been absolute heaven. I realise now that my playing had been affected for longer than I realised. I'm lucky in that my health issue was relatively quick to fix but the impact this had on me and my family was considerable. I will always be so glad for the work that RSM does. It makes a huge difference to musicians and this can increase the more we speak up about the huge benefits of joining RSM such as their Healthy Practice Webinars.
Do you or a fellow music professional you know need support? Contact RSM today on 020 7629 6137 or grants@rsmgb.org
To follow James’s work, visit his website