Originally from Kansas City, Joshua McKeague is a trumpeter who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance from the University of Missouri, Kansas City, where he studied under professor Keith Benjamin, and a Master’s degree in Music from the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester (United Kingdom), where he studied under Tom Osbourne, Murray Greig, Gareth Small, and Dave Hendry. While at UMKC, Joshua was active across numerous genres, playing in every instrumental large ensemble at UMKC over his four years, and playing soprano cornet with the Fountain City Academy band from 2019-2023. He also played 2nd/3rd cornet with the Fountain City Brass Band from 2021-2023. Additionally, Joshua began teaching in 2019, running a small private trumpet studio with students ranging from the ages of 12-17 who achieved great success across the northwest district of Missouri.

 

In Manchester, Joshua continued to thrive across numerous genres. From 2023-2025, he earned a place on the extras list of The Hallé Orchestra, served as principal trumpet of Ripon’s St.Cecilia Orchestra, and played baroque trumpet with several historical orchestras across northern England, including Baroque in the North Orchestra and Manchester Bach Choir. Joshua has also played principal roles in almost every RNCM project type, including the symphony orchestra, chamber orchestra, brass choir, lead trumpet of the big band/session orchestra, and more. He has also had success in chamber music, with his trumpet quintet making finals in the 2025 Philip Jones Brass Prize. Joshua has maintained his love of brass band while living in Manchester, playing soprano cornet with Flixton Brass Band of the northwest area of England, as well as with the RNCM brass band on multiple projects, including the 2025 RNCM Festival of Brass, and with other area brass bands as a substitute player, in both championship and 1st divisions. He also continued teaching through brass band, serving as a guest tutor with the Stockport Schools Brass Band program in 2024.