My musical journey continues to go from strength to strength.  I was fortunate enough to be selected to participate in a two day LPO Junior Artist: Overture Project with the magnificent London Philharmonic Orchestra in South East London. Music is played all over the world and some children yearn for the chance to play with professional musicians.  I was sitting amongst the LPO family, other young musicians from various schools with differing backgrounds to me. We all had a unifying agenda of performing the repertoire of Carmen within two days. The seasoned LPO musicians mentored, encouraged and stretched our musical talents.  Our tutors used a variety of teaching techniques to ensure that our understanding of the task was clear.  I was familiar with the music as I have seen the performance of Carmen at the Sadler’s Wells Theatre. At first the piece seemed quite different and difficult but in reality the pieces were very lucid, my musical ken was expanding.

This year I played at the Southbank Centre as part of the Lewisham Schools Music Festival.  I represented both my secondary school Trinity, Church of England in Lee as well as the Lewisham Concert Band, the event was epic. These two experiences have consolidated my comprehension and my musical language has greatly improved.

The BBC Proms season is currently underway.  Each year I attend performances that nurture, develop and offer exposure to the classical world.  Mousetrap Theatre Projects encouraged my family to attend an event featuring the Chineke Orchestra.  Some people live a lifetime and do not get a chance to experience what I have experienced musically in the last academic year.  As many of you know encouraging children to get early access to life changing opportunities is something that I am always promoting and passionate about.

Pursuing music and playing instruments is such fun.  Thank you to all of the London Philharmonic Staff who looked after and educated me and others so well. I will recommend other families to utilise this course and to feed your children’s musical curiosities.

Hopefully we will work together in the not to distant future.


Emmerson Sutton.