RAM Junior Academy Journey Begins For BMS Musicians
Published by Bedford Modern School on Friday 28th of April 2023
Bedford Modern School students Marianne Gorton, Year 11, and Catriona Piper, Year 8, have been accepted to join the extremely competitive Junior Academy programme at the Royal Academy of Music.
Junior Academy is open to talented musicians aged 12-18 and runs every Saturday during the school term. The programme will offer trombonist Marianne and percussionist Catriona a variety of performance opportunities alongside likeminded young people from across the country, as well as intensive one-to-one lessons and specialist classes.
Over the past few months, the pair have participated in both video and live auditions in which they were required to play two contrasting pieces and complete sight-reading and aural tests. They also spoke to panellists about why they wished to join Junior Academy and the importance of music in their lives.
The students found out they had been accepted in April. Marianne said: “I’m really excited and I’m looking forward to taking my playing even further.”
Catriona added: “I’ll be playing with really advanced musicians and learning from professionals. I already know a few people who are part of Junior Academy so I’m looking forward to seeing them.”
Both students are active musicians at BMS. Marianne currently plays in a trombone ensemble, the Big Band, the Senior Orchestra and the Groove Collective, and will be in the band for the upcoming Year 7-10 musical production of ‘Me and My Girl’. Catriona also plays in the Senior Orchestra, as well as the Jazz Collective and a rock group. She accompanies the Chamber Choir, alongside her lessons in orchestral percussion, drumkit and piano.
Mrs Perry, Director of Music at BMS, added: “This is excellent news and I am extremely pleased for Marianne and Catriona. They are dedicated musicians and it is a delight to have them so involved in our co-curricular music provision. I look forward to seeing them grow during their time in the Junior Academy programme.”
