Photo: Pocklington School Lower Sixth student, Harry Kneeshaw, playing a violin concerto, at the Coram charity's Handel Birthday Concert at St Andrew's Church, Holborn. (Photo courtesy of the Coram charity)
An invitation to play with a prestigious orchestra in one of London’s choice venues is the dream of most musicians – and one Lower Sixth Former Harry Kneeshaw has already achieved.
Harry, a violinist, was asked to perform with the London Junior Royal Academy of Music at the Coram charity’s Handel Birthday Concert at St Andrew’s Church, Holborn.
The invitation came shortly after Harry joined the Junior Royal Academy of Music last September, and he travelled to London on Monday evening to perform in the same concert as leading international soprano Rebecca Evans and virtuoso trumpeter Crispian Steele-Perkins.
Harry performed Vivaldi’s La Tempesta di Mare violin concerto in E flat Major, which has an orchestral accompaniment but some solo sections.
He said: “It was an absolutely amazing experience to perform with such fabulous musicians for such a good cause. I feel honoured to have been asked to play; it’s a wonderful opportunity which I did not expect to get.’
The Vivaldi piece was new to Harry, and he says he had to “practise hard to get the piece fluent.” But he added: “It’s been an exciting challenge to learn a different style of music.”
Harry, who hopes to be a professional violinist, said he felt “excitedly nervous” before taking the stage in front of the paying audience at the Grade I listed venue. But he added: “Once I start playing I relax, the nerves fall away and I just enjoy the performance.”
Coram is a children’s charity committed to improving the lives of the most vulnerable children and young people. Its founder, philanthropist Thomas Coram, was born 350 years ago and shared his birthday with Handel, who was one of the charity’s early patrons. The coincidence inspired the name of the charity’s fundraising concert.
Harry was accompanied by an orchestra brought together from the Junior Royal Academy of Music and professional baroque ensemble Sounds Baroque. The Choristers of the Temple Church also performed in the programme.