Siena Barr | TrinityTalent 2019

Siena is celebrated by Trinity for Artistic Achievement in Classical and Jazz

Siena Barr | TrinityTalent 2019

Siena was nominated by her teacher from Highworth Grammar School for her achievements in jazz alto saxophone. They said 'At 15 years old and with ambitions to become a professional orchestral clarinetist, Siena has already been awarded a distinction at grade 8 and a performance diploma, has spent four years performing in the National Children's Orchestra, has performed as the principal clarinetist in the London Regional National Children’s Orchestra and in Kent County Youth Orchestra, has been awarded the gold medal in the woodwind category at Hastings Festival and recently won the Canterbury Festival Bursary Competition.'

'An outstanding mark of 97 out of 100 at grade 6 (her first jazz exam) is testament to how hard she has worked, especially as her syllabus choices included the maximum of two pieces containing improvisation as well as the improvisation supporting test; Siena certainly made no attempt to 'play it safe'!'

How has participating in a Classical and Jazz qualification impacted your artistic skills or career development?

The Trinity qualification I got was a grade 6 jazz alto saxophone distinction.  Despite the fact that I have taken lots of traditional music exams, I had never taken a jazz qualification before. This opened my mind to a different genre which I wouldn’t have experienced otherwise.

The improvisation elements of the exam encourage you to think on the spot more, which I can carry into other aspects of my music and education. Now I feel more confident taking on new experiences. I was very nervous about the improvisation but doing well in the exam made me realise I should have more confidence in my abilities outside my comfort zone.

What's next?

I am now working hard as I have my grade 8 jazz saxophone in March 2020. 

What are your career aims? 

I would like to be a professional musician. I have studied classical clarinet and piano but the unique Trinity qualifications in jazz saxophone from grade 6 upwards really appealed to me, as it gave me a whole new style of music to play and learn about.

Have you got any advice for other young people working towards a Classical and Jazz qualification?

My advice would be: practise, practise, practise! But don’t be too nervous about the exam because the examiners are really friendly!

Read more about the talented young people selected to be featured as part of the TrinityTalent Class of 2019

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