Our October Graduate of the Month

Nathan at his Awards Day in 2014

15-year-old Nathan was one of our 2014-18 Scholars and is a violinist from Enfield. He was nominated for a Scholarship after having lessons at school in Year 2, showing natural talent and making rapid progress. Nathan had a fantastic four years with LMF, taking part in our Playing Days and making the most of every opportunity that came his way at school, at EMS and elsewhere. He passed Grade 2 at the age of 8, got a distinction for Grade 5, and eventually graduated from his Scholarship in 2018 having achieved a merit for his Grade 6, just four and a half years after first picking up a violin.

Since graduating from his Scholarship Nathan has continued to play with EMS and make great progress. He travelled to Germany with EMS to play with the Bonheim Youth Orchestra for a week in 2018, which was an amazing experience. He achieved a distinction for his Grade 7 and is preparing to take his Grade 8 this term, after having had it postponed due to the pandemic. He recently performed his Grade 8 pieces at his school open evening.

Nathan at one of our Playing Days in 2018

 Nathan holds a music and art scholarship at his comprehensive school, where he plays in the orchestra and is currently rehearsing for the end of term production of Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat in the school’s theatre. Nathan also plays in the Enfield Youth Symphony Orchestra and has just been promoted to the first violins. He has also performed in online events for his church.

 Nathan took his GCSE Music in Year 10 and achieved a grade 9, the highest possible mark. He is now in Year 11, and is looking forward to starting A Level Music in Year 12. He has also completed his Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh Awards. On top of this Nathan is a star DT student and spends much of his free time when not playing the violin building aircraft models!

 We asked Nathan some questions:

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

The four years I was a scholar with the London Music Fund was brilliant. Being able to perform in many high profile places across London, and being able to meet many other younger musicians was great. I was able to share a great bond with them throughout the playing days. It’s impacted my playing skills in a very positive way, giving me much more confidence in terms of my playing — which was a thing I had struggled with previously.

Tell us about your best moment(s) of being a Scholar – did you get to perform in some cool places/meet some interesting and exciting people?

Nathan playing at home recently

The best moments of being a Scholar have definitely been performing at City Hall, at the top floor overlooking London. It’s such a wonderful place to be, and perform in. There was also the day where I returned as a graduate, to play alongside Nicola Benedetti, which was excellent. I’ve also been able to play at the Royal Festival Hall, which was a fantastic experience as well!  

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

Music has helped me overcome many boundaries in life, being able to find similarities with people and making friendships over that. It has also helped me to become a much more confident person, I feel I’m able to stand up and speak publicly much more than I was able to before, all thanks to performing the violin!

Did being a London Music Fund Scholar affect your attitude to learning music? Can you tell us how?

 It has definitely improved my attitude to learning music, I have been much more eager to learn since my experiences with the fund, and playing days. It made me strive to achieve more results, both with practical and theory, and has definitely aimed me on a path which I cannot look back on!

What are you looking forward to over the next year?

I’m very much looking forward to performing at concerts this year, I have many great pieces lined up to play, both as part as the Enfield Youth Symphony Orchestra, and with the strings ensemble, playing solo pieces at school concerts!

What advice would you give to our new 2021 Scholars, who have their Awards Ceremony later this month?

To new 2021 Scholars, I’d recommend enjoying your four years, it does go too quick for comfort! And to take part in as many playing days as possible, trust me, they’re worth it. I’d also recommend always carrying on with learning music, its a fantastic art form, and will help you with all sorts of other things in the years to come!