June Scholar of the Month

Frank at our Creative Composition Playing Day with the Riot Ensemble, November 2021

12-year-old Frank is one of our 2019-23 Scholars, so he will be coming to the end of his four-year award next year. Over the course of his Scholarship so far Frank has progressed brilliantly on the violin, and he is now playing at Grade 5/6 level.

Frank has violin lessons at Richmond Music Trust Centre, attends Music Theory class and is a member of Richmond Youth Training Orchestra. He practises for 45 minutes every day, always preparing everything needed for his next lesson. In his mid-year report, his teacher told us that Frank was learning his second concerto and that he had improved massively both in terms of technique and musicality.

Frank has been developing various new techniques over the last year including an improved bow hold, more articulations, double stops, and 3rd and 4th positions. His sight-reading is excellent and he is now working on double-stopped sight-reading. He also has strong aural skills and listens to his own playing with a critical ear. He is a wonderful, hard-working student.

Frank has always made the most of his LMF Scholarship. He loves attending our Playing Days, and in February he performed as part of our Celebration Ensemble at the Queen Elizabeth Hall. Frank is looking forward to our Playing Day & Graduation Ceremony at the Royal Academy of Music on Sunday 3 July, where he will perform to an audience of LMF family & friends.

Here’s our Q&A with Frank:

Thinking back to your Awards Day at City Hall (all those years ago…) how do you feel you’ve developed as a musician since?

I have loved my time as an LMF scholar and I personally think that not only my musical skills developed but also my personality skills. I feel like over the years of my scholarship I’ve developed very well and very far.

What’s been the best moment of your Scholarship?

The best moment at my LMF scholarship would definitely be the 10th Anniversary Gala concert.

How have you found your first year at secondary school? Have there been new and exciting musical opportunities there?

The first year in my secondary school was a bit stressful but music helped me get through it. I’ve had many school opportunities such as playing for my school orchestra and also playing for many concerts I also started to play on piano which helps me to understand music theory.

What are you hoping to do next with your music, or what are you looking forward to in the future?

Right now I am looking for a chance to get into a music school and hopefully play for a professional orchestra.

How would you sum up your experience of being a LMF Scholar in one word?

Absolutely fantastic 🤗

(one word was too tough!)