Meet our April Graduate of the Month

16 year old Rejus graduated from his LMF Scholarship in 2017 after a brilliant four years of hard work and dedication to his violin studies. During his Scholarship Rejus embraced every opportunity that came his way, taking part in concerts at his Saturday music school, eight London Symphony Orchestra weekends, four school concerts and one BBC radio performance… and that was all in his final year alone! We were delighted to hear that Rejus recently won the Barking and Dagenham young musician of the year competition - this is a fantastic achievement and a testament to his talent.

Rejus as a Graduate Leader in 2019

We were pleased to welcome Rejus back as a Graduate Leader for our Gala at the Royal Academy of Music in July 2019. Graduate Leaders have played an important role at our Playing Days and events over the last few years: guiding younger Scholars, developing leadership skills, and acting as brilliant role models.

To celebrate our 10 year anniversary we caught up with Rejus and asked him how he is getting on, a few years after graduating:

Tell us about being a London Music Fund Scholar, what did you get from the experience?

Back in my home country, Lithuania, I was receiving private violin lessons. However, when my family migrated to England, they couldn't get me violin lessons at all, and therefore I am forever thankful to the London Music Fund. It planted the seed of my musical journey, and without it, I wouldn't be where I am today. I got to experience such wonderful stages, meet amazing and professional musicians, which I dearly look up to, and learn such a vast variety of music and also how to perform in front of audiences.

What were your best moments as a Scholar?

One of my favourite moments with the London Music Fund was when we got to meet Nicola Benedetti CBE. I was especially stoked to meet her because she is one of my favourite musicians and had a massive impact on me as a solo performer. I always watched her performances when preparing for mine, and I really enjoy how she portrays the pieces when playing.

We would love to hear if you are still involved in music, can you tell us a bit about what you are up to if so?

I am immensely grateful for the London Music Fund, as it has helped me drastically throughout my journey within the musical world. I have won in total of three Young Musician of the Year awards from my music service, the recent one taking place online, and as a result of me winning my solo recording is on my music service’s website. I have also won two Young Musician of the Year awards from my secondary school.

I do a lot of work with the London Symphony Orchestra, as I completed a scheme named LSO Next Generation which had a duration of three years, it consisted of different genres every year, however it was mainly based on improvising. I also took part in the LSO East London Academy, which consisted of Master Classes from the LSO players, and also orchestral performances. I have completed one year of this and will resume later in the year. I did a few courses with the Guildhall School, including the Creative Orchestra, where we had to compose a piece as a group and then perform it at the end of the project, and the ‘ImPossibilities’ project, which was one of my favourites, as I got to experience a completely different genre of music which in this case was Jazz. Furthermore, I played two years in the London Schools’ Symphony Orchestra, which hosted professional orchestral performances at the Barbican. The performances were classed at ‘world class’ and therefore it was one of the most demanding things in my career so far.

I am also a part of a choir called Kingsley Choral Group, which is led by Mr. Tom Johnson, and have been since 2015. Within their concerts, I play three solo violin pieces with an accompanist, and the funds raised with tickets go to charity and churches, so it’s all for a great cause. The choir has performed in many countries and I consider myself very fortunate and extremely thankful as all of the concerts are brilliant and it is so much fun to get out on the stage and perform some wonderful pieces for the audience. 

Rejus at his LMF Graduation ceremony in 2017

Have you taken/are you taking any formal music exams?

I have taken an exam for my grade 5 music theory in which I achieved a Distinction. Within my secondary school, we have exams every term for every subject, since year 7, I have been getting constant 9s (A*) for my Music GCSE grades.

What impact, if any, has music had on your life?

Music for me is my career, my hobby and my life. Since I was the age of 3, I knew that I wanted to be a musician when I started getting violin lessons. I love performing and creating music whether it is by myself, or with other people. I will always want to learn more and more on how to become a better musician, to learn from professionals and to convey my story to the audience through the pieces that I play.

How did being a London Music Fund Scholar affect your attitude to learning music?

The London Music Fund absolutely has affected my attitude towards learning music. If it wasn't for the LMF, I wouldn't have achieved so much that I have currently. The London Music Fund planted the seed that is still growing to this day. I am immensely thankful and also grateful.