March Scholar of the Month
Ayomide performing at our Awards Day at the Royal College of Music in October 2021
This month we’re celebrating the achievements of one of our newest Scholars. 11-year-old Ayomide is an extremely talented drummer from Newham and began his Scholarship in September 2021. The teacher who nominated Ayo for the Scholarship told us last year: “This student is outstanding at the drum kit. He has potential to be one of the best young drummers in the country.”
Ayomide was put forward for the Scholarship by his primary school, where has been an active musician since year 1. As a drummer he has performed in front of the whole school and accompanied the school choir. He has also learnt ukulele and guitar, and plays a leading role in his class music lessons. Outside of school Ayo’s personal study is extensive and he performs regularly at his church.
His Scholarship enables Ayo to attend Newham Music’s Saturday Ensembles, and to have both 1-1 and small group drum lessons every week. He has already made extraordinary progress and is playing at around Grade 6 level.
In his mid-year report Ayo’s teacher told us that he is exceptional in all aspects of musicianship: he is able to aurally transcribe complex material, compose his own solos to a high level, tackle repertoire in complicated metre, and has an incredibly advanced technique. Ayomide’s aural skills are far beyond what is expected at his age, and his theoretical and sight-reading abilities are improving well each week. His teacher was particularly impressed when Ayo returned from the Christmas break having taught himself a new groove in 7/8 time and internalised it well enough not only to perform it convincingly without accompaniment, but also to use it as a springboard for improvising and composing in 7/8.
Ayomide took part in our New Scholars’ workshop on 23 February and performed as part of the ensemble in our concert at the Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall. The Scholars played a brand new piece called TEN, to mark the London Music Fund’s tenth anniversary. It was a fantastic start to the concert and was met with rapturous applause from the audience which included the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan.
Ayomide is clearly making amazing progress and we can’t wait to see where his musical journey takes him.
We asked Ayomide a few questions about how he’s finding his Scholarship so far:
Tell us a bit about your Scholarship so far. What do you enjoy about going to Newham Music on Saturdays?
I enjoy the freedom and the songs we practise. One of the songs we recently performed at the Green Street Celebration in Upton Park was very enjoyable and we got a standing ovation when we finished.
What is your favourite thing about playing the drums, and what’s your favourite piece to play?
My favourite thing about playing the drums are the important roles you get in choirs and bands, such as setting the tempo. My favourite piece to play is No Lie (Sean Paul ft Dua Lipa), although I like playing Rather Be by Clean Bandit.
What have you enjoyed about the London Music Fund events you’ve been to so far? (Awards Day in October, and the concert on 23 February)
I enjoy how we come together in the power of music and coordinate so well in short periods of time.
How did you find the experience of playing at the Queen Elizabeth Hall?
I found it phenomenal because we created the piece (TEN) in just a few hours and got rapturous applause from the audience.
What are you most looking forward to about the rest of your Scholarship?
I am looking forward to playing a part in all upcoming performances and working with the other scholars.
Ayomide in our workshop with ABRSM at the QEH in February
