He spent only six months studying at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama before he was appointed Principal Trombone at the Hallé Orchestra in March 1983.

"[2] In 1999 he won an audition for the principal trombone position with the Vienna State Opera/Vienna Philharmonic, where he performed until leaving in 2012 to devote more time to his teaching and solo careers.

[4] His book Unlocking The Trombone Code, which describes Bousfield's pedagogical ideas and methods, has been published by Warwick Music.

[5] In 1984 Bousfield performed Elgar Howarth's trombone concerto with the Yorkshire Imperial Band for broadcast on BBC Radio 3.

And in 1985 he played the first British performance of Gunther Schuller's trombone concerto, Eine kleine Posaunenmusik, with the Halle Orchestra conducted by the composer.