Brentwood School virtuoso Sam Lee has received a clean sweep of offers from the UK’s top Conservatoires to study double bass next year and continue his journey into professional music.
Sixth Former Sam, a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, has only been playing the Double Bass for three years but the country’s leading music colleges are queuing up to enrol the talented musician.
The double bass demands strength, stamina and honed technique and Sam said he was attracted to the instrument because of the deep rich sound of the low register. “I also loved how virtuosic the instrument can be especially in the higher register. Furthermore, I love how it is used in an orchestral situation.”
Sam applied to the Royal College of Music, Royal Academy of Music, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Trinity Laban, Royal Northern College of Music, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. “I have received an offer from all of them except the Royal Academy of Music, who still haven’t given me a response, but I have high hopes!
“The Conservatoire I want to attend next year is the Royal College of Music. So, when I received the offer I was over the moon.” Sam practises for at least an hour everyday, often more, but tries not to overpractice.
He added: “My long term musical ambition is to be a soloist but also be a part of orchestras. I also want to get into teaching because I want to carry music onto the next generation. I am thankful for the Music Department at Brentwood School for all the opportunities they have given me, from the many end-of-term concerts we have done, to smaller Chamber Concerts. In addition to that I am very excited to be performing the Capuzzi Double Bass Concerto next term in Brentwood Cathedral with our School Symphony Orchestra.”
A proud Brentwood School Director of Music, Mr Florian Cooper, said: “I am delighted that Sam’s hard work has been rewarded with a fantastic set of Conservatoire offers. Over seven years, Sam has been one of the most committed and talented musicians we have had at the school and we are so thrilled that his work ethic and determination have paid off. I am very much looking forward to conducting his performance of the Capuzzi Double Bass Concerto next term, which I know will be an impressive masterclass in technical control and mature musical interpretation.”
Categories: Brentwood School School News
