A ‘talented’ musician has secured a place at the ‘prestigious’ Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. 

Lauren Peck, who is in Year 13 at King’s Ely Sixth Form, has been awarded a scholarship to study BMus (Hons) Classical Saxophone at the city’s conservatoire in September. 

Lauren started playing the saxophone when she was around nine years old and also plays the clarinet, flute and piano. 

She said: “I started playing the piano with my mum when I was about six years old, but when I heard a saxophone being played in an assembly at my primary school when I was in Year Four, I immediately wanted to learn how to play it.” 

Speaking of her scholarship, Lauren said she is “so pleased” to have been chosen and is “excited to start the course” adding that receiving a place is “an honour for which I am truly grateful”. 

For her audition, she had to prepare two pieces from set lists given by the Conservatoire, as well as a contrasting piece of her choice. 

Her course will include clarinet and flute lessons, and she aspires to be a professional musician in the future. 

“I would like to be involved in performance, teaching and community outreach as a professional musician,” she said. 

“The breadth of opportunities I have been given at King’s Ely have certainly developed my musicianship. 

“For example, solo and ensemble performances, working with an orchestra and professional conductor, assisting with the junior school band and playing baritone saxophone and clarinet in the pit for the senior school musical ‘Legally Blonde’.” 

Lauren says she would recommend learning an instrument to anyone. 

“Playing an instrument requires a lot of dedication and practice, and so you develop resilience, perseverance and a personal drive to progress,” she said. 

“I also find sharing and creating music with others rewarding and thoroughly enjoyable.”