What does it take to be a top classical musician? It helps when you win a prestigious national competition, and it also helps when you are part of a family of talented musicians. This is true of Sheku Kanneh-Mason, one of the most gifted classical musicians in the UK today.
In 2016, Sheku Kanneh-Mason was just 17 years old when he won the BBC Young Musician of the Year award. Sheku plays the cello, and is one of a family of amazing musicians. He is the third oldest of six brothers and sisters who all play instruments to a high level, and in 2019, they even performed together in a concert for members of the British royal family. They have also recorded classical music albums together, presented a radio series talking about their favourite classical music, played in some of the world's best concert halls and twice performed for the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAS).
Sheku is the most famous of the family, however, after playing as a soloist at a royal wedding in 2018, a performance that was watched by an audience of around two billion people around the world. In 2020, he became the first cellist to reach the top ten best selling albums in the UK. Sheku said that he was really happy to hear that many of his young fans are learning the cello because of this.
Sheku started playing the cello at the age of six, and went to secondary school in Nottingham, where his family lived. He went on to study at the Royal Academy of Music in London. In 2018, he donated £3,000, that’s about 2,780 JOD, to his former school so that ten students could continue their cello lessons.
His brothers and sisters have also been very successful. Sheku's brother Braimah plays violin for a very successful pop group. His sister Konya has twice played the piano to members of the British royal family, while his other sister Isata has released a classical music album with Sheku. All his other brothers and sisters have also played in orchestras and won many music awards.
Sheku is an amazing talent, but life has not always been easy for him. Like all top musicians, to be so successful, he has had to rehearse the cello for hours every day, and when he was 12, he was diagnosed with diabetes. Today he works as a global ambassador for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. As a result, both his charity work and his music can really make a difference to young people's lives.
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Meaning |
Word |
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The group of people who listen to or watch a performance. |
Audience
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Groups of musicians who play music together, usually popular music.
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Bands
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A type of music that is old and formal, often played by orchestras. |
Classical Music
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A place where people go to listen to music and dance, often with a DJ or band. |
Club
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A large building or room where musical performances take place. |
Concert Hall
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People who really like and support a particular musician or group.
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Fans
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Songs that are very popular and get a lot of attention. |
Hit Songs
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A large group of musicians who play classical music, usually including strings, brass, woodwinds, and percussion. |
Orchestra
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To play music or act in front of an audience.
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Perform
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Groups that perform popular music, usually for young people.
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Pop Groups
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A musician who performs alone, rather than with a group or orchestra. |
Soloist
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A place where plays, musicals, or concerts are performed.
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Theatre
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