Significant Musical Experiences

• I have been playing drums for over 9 years (since I was 7). I have done Trinity Guildhall drum grades at grade 1, 3, 4, 5 and 7. I gained a distinction in both 5 and 7, and got 96/100 marks for grade 7. I am now working on grade 8.
• I Played drums/percussion in orchestras at primary school.
• When I was in my last year at primary school (Aged 10), a friend of mine took up the electric guitar. He had also previously played drums meaning that he had a drum kit too. We decided that we would start up a band because of this, and began practicing and writing songs. We then realised we needed a bass player, and so our other friend bought a bass and began to learn it. We eventually called ourselves Negativity. We did various performances in school assemblies and other events held at our primary school. We also played at the Henley Youth Festival. We played mostly our own songs, and later on began doing covers too. We stayed together as a band for 5 years. When we were in year 9 we changed our name to Twist of Fate. We played the Henley Youth Festival most years too, as well as other battle of the bands and so on in the local areas. You can see us playing at the 2009 gig night at 0:25 seconds to 0:48 here.
• I took classical guitar lessons for a few years and although I didn't take an exam, my guitar teacher said if we were to do one, I would have done grade 5.
• My secondary school is endorsed with a prize from the Lion's Club in Henley, whereby one music student each year is awarded £200, or 2 students £100 each. I won this award at the end of year 11 for my general work throughout the music GCSE such as the composition, but especially in recognition of my drumming, and got the £200 prize! I put this towards getting an electric drum kit, allowing me to practice later on in the evenings without disturbing the neighbors.
• Every year, a music exchange takes place between Henley and Leichlingen, our twin town in Germany. You can either do Jazz or Classical (orchestra). I have taken part in the Jazz a few times meant spending 3 or 4 days with our German guests and 3 whole days being tutored by professional jazz musicians. At the end of this we perform our pieces to a public audience/parents, the other groups and so on. At the end of this we have a chance to see the tutors perform which is always amazing, as each tutor plays a different key instrument.
• While in year 11, I started taking music theory lessons to help with the GCSE and because I felt having more knowledge in music theory would be generally helpful to anything I do in music, or composing. I took the AMRSM grade 5 exam in summer 2012. I got a merit.
• Berkshire Meastros rock courses.
• Jesus Christ Superstar.
• Saw Ian Peice live.
• Seen lots of live music, a wide range of styles of jazz from gypsey jazz to big band.
• been to orchestras since i was young seen people such as nigel kenedy, tasmin little more than once as well as other top soloists.
• Went to Reading Festival 2012 and saw my favourite band Foo Fighters.