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.
Stephen Plummer – Free-lance Percussionist and Music Teacher
What did you study with Luton Music Service?
I learnt Drum Kit from Andrew Peck, Percussion with Billy Strachan, and Guitar with Riad Abji. I also was a member of LYO, LYJO and Concert Band.
What were your highlights?
Highlights from Music Service are the amazing amount of good friends I made, and being able to make music with my friends regularly. Without things like Concert Band and LYJO I probably wouldn’t have gone on to pursue music professionally. Going on tour to Belgium was a great experience, and we got to play many interesting gigs, in Ypres memorial Gate with Concert Band, and many summers gigs with LYJO.
Where has music taken you?
Thanks to LMS I went to Royal Birmingham Conservatoire to study percussion under world-leading musicians. At the Conservatoire I was able to pursue any avenue of music I liked, and as such focused a lot on world music, especially percussion from Cuba and Brazil, where we were lucky enough to study samba for two weeks. Because of the experience I gained at college, I was able to comfortably slip into many playing and teaching opportunities once I left, including teaching Samba at the University of Birmingham and playing world premieres in derelict warehouses with Birmingham Opera Company.
What advice would you give our students?
My advice to young musicians is to practice lots, and to stretch your musical world as wide as you can. Also to not let anyone tell you that music isn’t a worthwhile career, there are endless opportunities and avenues for young talented musicians.
