A FORMER Greenwood Academy pupil has won a prestigious music competition – and with it the chance to play as a member of one of the country’s most highly-regarded orchestras.

Adam Lee’s prize for winning the Spring Concerto competition run by the Royal College of Music (RCM) in London is the chance to perform a concerto of his own choosing with the RCM Symphony Orchestra.

Adam, who plays the clarinet and is a former member of the North Ayrshire Senior Concert Band, has chosen to perform a piece by Scottish composer James MacMillan, dedicated to John Cushing, a former clarinet teacher at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Adam told the Times: “It’s great to be recognised in this way as it confirms for me that all the hard work that I put in is worth it, and that everything I’m putting in place for my development is keeping me on the right track.

“Normally, I’m working away in the wind section of an orchestra but now I get the chance to appear as the soloist which is a hugely exciting opportunity.”

Adam’s love for the clarinet began in primary school, though he only picked up the instrument after not being able to play his first choice - the saxophone.

Adam also paid tribute to his former school and band, saying: “This was the perfect platform for a young musician to develop as I was surrounded by other musicians, playing as an ensemble, and developing crucial skills that I would need going forward.”

Now completing his postgraduate studies at RCM, he admits choosing to pick up the clarinet is “one of the best decisions” he’s ever made.

And what about the future?

“I hope to continue going from strength to strength,” he said, “continuing my work with orchestras and aiming for the main goal of securing a permanent position with an orchestra, wherever that may be.

“Ultimately, I hope to continue being able to do what I love.

“Whenever something like this happens, I always reflect on what got me here, and I have to thank every one of my teachers; Rachel Considine, Alison Waller, John Cushing, Tim Orpen, Joe Pacewicz, Heather Nicoll, Tim Lines and Richard Hosford, for the role they played and continue to play in my development as well as, of course, my family, who are a constant pillar of support.”

Adam is a Leverhulme Arts Scholar, supported by the Leverhulme Trust and was a Robertson Scholar from 2017-2021. He is thankful for support from Dewar Arts Awards, The Cross Trust, Help Musicians, CASSGB, The Caird Trust and The Hattori Foundation.