A FROME musician has just graduated from the Royal Academy of Music with a first class degree. The past year has also seen him appearing with some of the country’s top jazz musicians and at some of the county’s leading music venues.
Saxophonist Josh Arcoleo was also awarded the Principal’s Prize for ‘exceptional studentship’, the 2011 Yamaha Parliamentary Jazz Scholarship and the inaugural Kenny Wheeler Jazz Prize – a recording contract with Edition Records.
Josh, 22, said: “It’s been an incredible couple of years and I’ve loved every moment of it. Studying at the Royal Academy of Music has been a fantastic experience – the level of playing from my peers was amazing and the teachers were great.
“I’ve been lucky enough to play with some great jazz musicians including Pee Wee Ellis, Fred Wesley, Iain Ballamy, Jason Rebello, Gareth Williams and Mark and Michael Mondesir.
“These musicians are so talented and it’s been a dream come true to be playing with them, I’ve learnt so much. I’m now working on producing my debut CD with Edition Records, which should be released in spring 2012. It’s a very exciting time for me and I’m looking forward to the future.”
The talented musician has played at a range of famous venues, including the Royal Festival Hall, Barbican and Ronnie Scott’s in London as well as festivals in Slovakia, Finland, Denmark, Holland, Germany, Spain and closer to home at the Glastonbury Festival.
Josh is a former music student from City of Bath College where he studied a BTEC National Diploma in Popular Music.
Josh said the course at City of Bath College had provided him with a sound foundation in music, and many of the skills he needed to become a successful musician. I decided to take the course at the college because it was a performance-based course and City of Bath College has an excellent reputation for its music courses,” said Josh.
“I met some really great people on the course and the teaching was very good too. The tutors were knowledgeable and always there to support you if you needed it.
“I would certainly recommend the course to any young person who is passionate about music.”
For more information about the music courses available at City of Bath College visit www.citybathcoll.ac.uk or call 01225 312191. You can also drop in to the College’s Student Advice Centre, Westgate Buildings (by Pizza Hut).
