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Year 11 student Jonathan Abbott is a very talented percussionist who on the 8 November had the opportunity to record at the world famous Abbey Road studios in London. He travelled with the Leicester Philharmonic Orchestra of whom he has recently become a member, to play the percussion section for the song ‘Gloria In Londinium’, which was composed by Leicester-educated composer and music director Kathleen Shanks. The song was originally commissioned for the 2012 London Olympics. Jonathan and his fellow musicians were asked to be recorded in aid of Prince Harrys Invictus Foundation, which works alongside ‘Help For Heroes’. The orchestra comprised of ten instrumentalists including Jonathan who played the bass drum, snare drum, timpani and cymbals. He had to record all the four percussion tracks separately. The orchestra was accompanied by members of the Leicester Philharmonic Choir, children from the London based Capital Arts Children’s Choir and the London Children’s Opera Company plus the London Cantamusica Choir. Jonathan became interested in percussion eight years ago after being inspired by a percussionist who he saw perform at the De Montfort Hall. He has been a member of the Youth Brass for four years and the Foresters Brass 2000 for two years. He particularly enjoys meeting other musicians as well as the opportunities that he has gained, which have included performing at the Royal Albert Hall, performing a solo piece in France in front of an audience of one thousand people and of course his experience at Abbey Road Studios. The recorded rendition of ‘Gloria in Londinium’ will be released in the new year as part of a fund raising album for Help for Heroes and the Invictus Games. |
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