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TSO has always encouraged young people to make music and frequently has young players performing in concerts as members of the orchestra. Recently a bursary scheme has been introduced. To qualify, you have to be a competent musician, play with the orchestra during your last years at school, and be
intending to continue your music studies at College or University.
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The third recipient of the TSO bursary is Joe Walters, who has been a member of the trombone section for several years. Joe is already well known in the local area, as one of the principals with Arbroath Instrumental Band, and Carnoustie and District Brass Band. On the nation-wide scene, he has played with Edinburgh Youth Orchestra, been a member of the National Youth Brass Band of whom he is the principal bass trombonist and this year he won the Scottish Under 21 Brass Solo. Further afield, Joe has played with the European Youth Brass Band.
His skills are not confined to playing the trombone - he has also done some composing, and his first work "Carpe Diem" was performed in February 2011 in the Younger Hall at St Andrews.
Joe is now studying at the RSAMD in Glasgow, where he looks forward to meeting new people with similar interests, as well as developing more as a player and composer.
Joe was presented with two cheques by Bill McLeod on 6th September 2011 - one from TSO, the other from the Alex Urquhart Bursary (of which Ron Walker is a trustee) ; they come with TSO's best wishes and we look forward to hearing about his achievements in the future.
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Bill making the presentation
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The unobtrusive bass trombone
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The second recipient of the TSO bursary is tuba player Ross Knight. Ross is already well known in the local area, amongst other things as one of the principals with Arbroath Instrumental Band. With TSO he performed Edward Gregson's tuba concerto when only 15 and has been our resident tuba player ever since.
Nationally, Ross has been a member of the National Youth Brass Band and the National Children's Orchestra, both in Scotland, and recently played at the Proms as principal tuba with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain. Further afield, he has played with the European Youth Brass Band, and been a semi-finalist and best tuba player in the European Solo Championships.
Ross was presented with his bursary cheque by TSO chairman Bill McLeod during a rehearsal on 31st August 2010. Following his considerable success to date, he is continuing his studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London and the best wishes of TSO go with him.
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Bill and Ross at the presentation
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Ross in action
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The first recipient of the TSO bursary was violinist George Smith. George played with TSO for more than two years, and has recently completed his studies at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow.
George was presented with his bursary cheque at the end of the concert in the Reid Hall, Forfar, on 11th February 2006, by Mary, Countess of Strathmore, the orchestra's Honorary President.
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George with the Countess of Strathmore, conductor Ron Walker, and Bill MacLeod, the TSO Chairman
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