The Music Service has had the privilege of working with many accomplished young musicians from Luton over the years. We asked some of them to share with you their experience learning and playing music and how it has helped them in their careers.
Alex Burns – Marketing Officer / Administrator / Brass Teacher / Copywriter / Blogger
What did you study with Luton Music Service?
With LMS I studied Trumpet with Simon Router.
What were your highlights?
Crazy Tuesday’s playing in Luton Youth Jazz Orchetra (LYJO) and Luton Youth Concert Band (LYCB) all in one evening! Some great memories and fun music-making with other like-minded young people. Also, my lessons with Simon were brilliant and he taught me from Y7-Y13 and got me through grades and exams and has been a big influence for me both during my time at university and now as a teacher myself.
Where has music taken you?
After finishing my A-Levels at Luton Sixth Form College I packed my bags and headed off to study Music at The University of Sheffield where I played in a number of ensembles and shows. There I was able to fuel my love for musicology, and I went on to study for an MA in Musicology after my undergraduate. I currently manage a portfolio career where I juggle a number of different roles, which are all luckily musical in some way!
I work at the Sheffield Music Academy, Classical Sheffield, Sheffield City Hall as well as running my award-winning classical music blog – Classicalexburns. I also play in a number of ensembles on either trumpet or cornet including the Sheffield Philharmonic Orchestra and Old Silkstone Brass Band.
What advice would you give our students?
Stick with it! It can often be frustrating when you can’t do something straight away, but the benefits from learning an instrument are so great that it’s worth the effort. I would also suggest doing lots of listening to music – it can really help!
