Music virtuoso Ed wins Royal Academy scholarship

A virtuoso student trumpeter from Birkenhead Sixth Form College has won a full scholarship at one of the most prestigious music institutions in the world.

Second year, Ed Carew, heads for London’s Royal Academy of Music in September in the knowledge that his tuition fees are fully paid across all three years, having impressed the Academy’s entrance board so much with his audition that he was granted a scholarship reserved for only the most elite of musicians.

"Becoming a professional musician has been my aim since I was about eight. I’d love to go into performing with an orchestra for my career – it’s my dream job.”

Ed Carew, second year

Previously put forward for the BBC’s Young Musician of the Year, Ed was also offered places at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester and Guildhall School of Music in London having auditioned for them along with the Royal Academy, but has accepted his place at Britain’s oldest degree-granting music school.

Ed said: “I’m extremely happy. Becoming a professional musician has been my aim since I was about eight. I’d love to go into performing with an orchestra for my career – it’s my dream job.”

A skilled pianist along with trumpeter, Ed explained that the Academy will be training him purely on the trumpet as they focus on a single instrument, but that his time studying Music at Birkenhead Sixth Form College under teacher, Victoria Wells, has given him a solid all-round base for his musical career.

He said: “My knowledge of music theory has come on leaps and bounds. When I’m at home or playing with orchestras, I focus on my trumpet playing but studying here has helped to hone my theoretical understanding, which is crucial for a career in this kind of music.”

Although Ed has secured his place in further education, and acknowledges that his offers came through practical auditions rather than exams, he says he will remain focused on his College work to give him the best platform for his future.

He said: “I’m going to work as hard as I can to get good A Level results, because they are going to be important on the CV for any job that I get into. Sometimes things don’t work out the way you’d like, so having good exam results and a good education behind you means that you’ve got options no matter what happens.”

Before starting at the Royal Academy of Music, Ed also has the exciting prospect of performing at the Royal Festival Hall in London with the National Youth Orchestra later this year.