Learn To Play Day – Success Story #3

In preparation for this years national ‘Learn To Play Day’ we are chatting with some new players who started their musical journeys at a previous Learn To Play event. Whatever your age, there’s nothing to stop you picking up an instrument and achieving your musical dreams! Over to you Joshua…

Joshua – Saxophone

When I was eight years old I wanted to play a musical instrument and I was very keen on the Saxophone. My Dad filled in the forms for me to have lessons at school however we received a note from the music teacher at school saying that I might be too small to play. The teacher suggested going to a music shop to try out some instruments to see if I was big enough. I visited Dawkes ‘Learn to Play Day’, trying out the Saxophone, Flute and Clarinet. The Saxophone was my favourite!

Jon at Dawkes helped me choose my first Alto Saxophone which was a Yamaha 280. I have been playing for about 3 ½ years now and worked very hard with my practising. I have passed my Grade 3, Grade 5 and Grade 6 ABRSM exams all with distinction. I also passed my Grade 5 ABRSM theory exam with a distinction at age 11. I am currently working on my Grade 8 ABRSM and will be taking the exam in the summer of 2016. I am also looking to audition for the Royal College of Music Junior Department.

I currently play in a number of different bands. At the High Wycombe Music Centre I play in the Senior Concert Band, Sax Choir and Big Band One. I am the youngest member of all three bands. At school I play in the First Wind Band and Swing Band. Jon at Dawkes helped me to upgrade my first Alto Saxophone from the Yamaha 280 and I now play a Yanagisawa AWO20. In addition, I play Tenor Sax in some of the bands and again Jon helped me choose which was the best instrument for me. I have a Yamaha YTS62 Tenor Saxophone.

I have played for the Woman’s Institute (WI), Rotary club, taken part in the Wycombe Orpheus competition as well as playing at the Albert Hall with the High Wycombe Music Centre. The highlight of playing the Saxophone was performing at Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club which was amazing! I can’t wait to get a chance to go back again!

Joshua