Alex Western-King

Education

Equipment

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About me

An engaging musician, teacher and composer, Alex Western-King is available for both gigs and music tuition. He plays and teaches saxophone and clarinet in jazz and classical styles to a professional standard. Alex’s teaching mainly resides in South East London, and his playing has been heard all over the world.

Alex has taken music seriously since he started playing the clarinet at eight years of age. He entered many competitions in Hampshire where he grew up, winning the ‘Hampshire County Council Exceptional Ability Award’ 2005 (age 10) and ‘The Gaiger Trust Award’ 2006 (age 11). He auditioned for a place at Wells Cathedral School at the age of eleven, and was awarded a government place there as a specialist clarinettist. He studied under wold renowned clarinet teacher, Dr Kevin Murphy, who guided him towards the National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain Under 13’s Orchestra in 2007 (age 12). After playing in the ensemble for one year, he became a ‘Leverhulme Trust Scholar’ in the National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain Main Orchestra. That same year (2008, age 13), he received a high distinction in his ABRSM Grade Eight Clarinet. Alex then went on to win the ‘Robert Lewen Award’ in 2010 and 2011 (age 15 and 16).

Wells Cathedral School exposed him to a wide range of opportunities. He was fortunate enough to meet and learn from some of the worlds leading clarinettists such as Julian Bliss, David Campbell, Howard Klug, and Tim Orpen, who inspired and motivated him to continue to follow his passion. Alex also took part in a number of musical ensembles at the school that gave him the experience to learn from and engage with other talented musicians. The Wells Cathedral School Symphony Orchestra gave Alex the opportunity to work with the world renowned conductor Christopher Adey, as well as Peter Harrison, Paul Denegri and Matthew Suiter. Dr Kevin Murphy ran a Wind Ensemble and Wind Quintet that Alex also excelled in.

In 2010 (age 15), Alex started taking saxophone lessons with saxophonist Andy Tweed. Andy encouraged Alex to take part in the School’s Big Band and Jazz Ensemble, where he had the opportunity to play with saxophonist Pee Wee Ellis and drummer Ralph Salmins. Alex found himself quickly immersed in the world of jazz and his musical direction slowly began to change. In 2012, Alex was still specialising in the clarinet and his music college auditions were coming up fast. Only a few months before his auditions, Alex made the decision to try for a place on an undergraduate jazz saxophone course in the countries leading music colleges, rather than pursuing his original goals as a clarinettist. He received places with scholarships at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, and the Birmingham Conservative to study jazz saxophone.

In Alex’s final year at Wells Cathedral School (2013, age 18), he was given the opportunity to travel to Sierra Leone and work with both the adults and children living there. He taught music to many children, and one of the performances he took part in was broadcasted on live TV. This experience made Alex a more rounded, social and confident person. Also in Alex’s final year at the school, he took part in the Bristol International Jazz and Blues Festival, which has seen many successful musicians. Jazz stars such as Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Ella Fitzgerald are musicians that regularly played at Bristol’s Colston Hall, where the Festival takes place each year.

In 2013, Alex started at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where he has had the pleasure of playing with amazing artists such as Dame Cleo Laine, Alec Dankworth, Jacqui Dankworth, Dave O'Higgins, Leanne Caroll, Huw Warren and Julien Siegel. He has studied jazz saxophone under Jean Toussaint, Carlos Lopez-Real, Stan Sulzmann, Ian Ballamy, Alex Garnett, James Knight, Noah Preminger, Gareth Lockrane and Daoud Merchant. He also studied classical saxophone with Christian Forshaw and continued building on his clarinet skills with Julian Farrell. He has had doubling lessons (Saxophone, Clarinet and Flute) with Paul Stevens, and has some experience in playing in shows/musicals.

Studying at Guildhall School of Music and Drama has given Alex the ability to kick-start his career as a jazz saxophonist and music teacher. He is playing in many musical ensembles and is performing with talented professionals all over the world. Some of Alex’s highlights include playing for top companies and celebrities. He has also performed in some impressive venues such as The Dorchester, The Birmingham Symphony Hall, La Mamounia, Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club, The Vortex and The Spice of Life. He has taken part in Festivals, such as The Twinwood Festival, The Kingsdon Festival and Concert Jazz en Plein Air, and has played with yet more top musicians.

Alex has had the pleasure of working with many talented musicians in a wide range of genres. He is now providing people with the opportunity to learn from his skill, knowledge and experience.
Industry awards:
2005: Hampshire County Council Exceptional Ability Award
2006: The Gaiger Trust Award
2008: National Children’s Orchestra Leverhulme Trust Scholar
2010 & 2011: Robert Lewen Award
Referees:
Mike Paul-Smith
Employer
Down for the Count, Band Manager
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+447855488462

Malcolm Edmonstone
Academic
Head of Jazz Studies, Guildhall School of Music & Drama
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+447720448725
Additional information:
I am an enthusiastic musician looking for teaching work in London. I can teach classical, jazz and/or pop genres on both the saxophone and clarinet to an advanced professional standard. This includes soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, clarinet and bass clarinet. I received my ABRSM grade 8 clarinet with distinction at an early age as well as grade 6 piano with merit, grade 5 flute with distinction and grade 5 music theory with distinction. Therefore, I am also able to teach piano, flute and music theory at a beginner level.
Based in South East London, and about to finish studying jazz saxophone at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, I have already received my BMus Undergraduate Degree in Music with a 1st (1:1), and am going to graduate with Honours this July.
I have been taught by a number of renowned musicians. Jazz artists include Alex Garnet, Noah Preminger, Iain Ballamy, Gareth Lockrane and Stan Sulzmann. Classical clarinettists include Dr Kevin Murphy, Julian Bliss, David Campbell, Howard Klug and Tim Orpen. These are just some of the highly respected musicians who have taught me many skills and have given me valuable advice. The idea of passing on this portfolio of knowledge to other promising musicians would be rewarding and motivating for myself as a musician.
In 2013, I had the amazing opportunity to travel to Sierra Leone to teach music in schools, and to other underprivileged children and adults. This experience has made me a more rounded and humble person. The appreciation I received there motivated me to continue teaching when I got back to the UK. I started immediately and haven’t stopped since!
Whilst regularly taking 1-on-1 lessons, I also have experience in running master classes and ensembles. I recently had the opportunity to travel back to Wells Cathedral School where I studied as a clarinet specialist with a full scholarship. They offered me a day of teaching where I gave 1-on-1 lessons to the current specialist jazz musicians, and also rehearsed the jazz ensemble.
I have also done some work with the Somerset County Youth Concert Band, where I have gained further experience in teaching children and young adults.
I show great enthusiasm towards education, and believe that everybody should have the chance to learn a musical instrument. I have the ability to teach people of all different ages and abilities, as well serious learners and those who want to play as a hobby.

License & Passport

Skills

Job Titles	Music Production, Teacher
Years in industry	3 to 6 years
Organisations / Memberships	ISM
Musical Skills	Clarinet, Flute, Piano/Keyboards, Saxophone
Musical Style	Acid Jazz, Avant-garde jazz, Big band, Blues, Brazilian jazz, Chamber jazz, Chicago jazz, Classical, Cool jazz, Experimental, Improv, Jazz, Pop, Swing