By Gavin Mackintosh-
An outstanding Brentwood School student is on track to achieving his dream of becoming a professional jazz singer, after being awarded a place as a vocalist in the National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO) academy vocal team.
Murray Peat, 15, (pictured)who schools in the highly academic £20,000 a year independent day Brentwood boarding school in Essex, will also have an opportunity to sing with the Academy Big Band and work in a jazz vocal ensemble. While singing with the NYJO, the talented young performer will be able to further hone his skills learning everything from microphone technique to repertoire and reading and jazz interpretation.
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The school which has an inspiring and rich music department, frequently enthuses its pupils with rehearsed performances that provide an opportunity for the students to enhance their musical skills. The pupils who are generally well disciplined , well mannered, and very focused on their academics are very motivated and supported by an excellent team.
Brentwood school is one for children whose parents want their child to develop in an exciting, ambitious and influential environment. The school educates over 1,900 pupils between the ages of 3 to 18, providing a first class academic training supplemented with fulfilling extra curricular activities.
Talented musicians from other secondary schools and music organizations recently came together to join Brentwood school symphony orchestra of 60 students for a brilliant afternoon rehearsing the music of Dvorak and Williams, with the first Orchestral Outreach workshop at the Brentwood School proving to be a huge success .
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Talking about his future ambitions goals, an excited Murray said: “In the long term, I want to be a jazz singer. I want to develop my theory knowledge and experience performing in a band setting; my biggest goal is to perform at Ronnie Scott’s and I want to perform with the Jools Holland Big Band.”
“When I found out I had been awarded a place I was very pleased and also very excited as at the taster day I’d had so much fun. I really enjoyed the atmosphere and just making music there and meeting some amazing other jazz musicians.
“I started singing when I was young but it wasn’t until I became a student at Brentwood in Year 7 that I realized how much I loved music, and I think that’s due to being exposed to so many amazing opportunities. Brentwood has also meant I have experienced so many different genres of music. I really enjoy choral music and musical theatre, however, it’s jazz that I really love and performing with the School Big Band is one of the scariest and most exciting achievements I’ve ever experienced.
“The great thing about being a vocalist is that practice is so easily accessible. I personally think the best way to practice and to learn is through applying musical techniques to songs I’m genuinely considering performing, or practising with a goal and deadline in mind. I also really do love accompanying myself on the guitar and writing music and exploring music through the guitar.”
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Brentwood School’s director of music and performing arts, Mr Florian Cooper, expressed pride in his protege. He said: “Murray has been the consummate musical professional since he joined the school five years ago and it is not surprising to see his hard work and talent being recognized so significantly on the national stage. Murray is blessed with a wonderful voice, magical performance ability and a true affinity for delivering text to an audience. I look forward to hearing Murray sing with NYJO in the near future.”
The school is currently on half term, but pupils from this school, including Murray, will be immersing themselves in daily studies at home, using most of the usual school hours advantageously to continue to build their intellect.
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