Outstanding’ young musician in the running to win coveted award

A talented young music scholar has been nominated for a top award from the London Mayor.

Louis Lodder, 11, of Benthall Road, Stoke Newington, is in the running to win the Outstanding Scholars Award at the London Music Awards, a ceremony run by the Mayor’s Music Fund.

He was bestowed the prestigious scholarship – which has granted more than £1.5million in to underpriviledged children with exceptional music talent since 2011 – when he was only in Year 3 at Simon Marks School, in Cazenove Road.

Now in Year 6, having reached the end of the scheme, Louis has enjoyed a glittering start to his musical career, participating in the Hackney Training Orchestra, performing with the London Symphony Orchestra, singing with the Hackney Borough Youth Choir and more.

The pupil said: “My dad is a jazz pianist and my mum has a love of painting whilst listening to music. I was just inspired by my father and listening to music all the time.

“The scholarship has been a bit of a rollercoaster; it has had ups and downs but it’s been so inspiring and brilliant for my opportunities. I can’t explain it; it’s a brilliant way for me to get started and I am sure if I hadn’t had this scholarship I would go in a completely different direction but this is the direction that I want to go in and I want to say thank you to everybody for giving me this scholarship.”

Louis, who plays piano, tenor horn and French horn, as well as being a singer, added: “My passion is jazz . In the future I think of integrating all my instruments and maybe doing quite a bit of singing. Jazz has been around the house and it’s become part of me; it moves me.”

Louis’ mentor, Xanthe Farr, coordinates the Hackney Music Service, part of the Hackney Learning Trust which oversees music provision across the borough, working with musical departments in schools.

Ms Farr nominated Louis for the Outstanding Scholar award and said: “I ask tutors to nominate children in Year 2 to 6 for the scholarship and then pass these on to the Mayor. You don’t have to be an outstanding musician, you just need to have shown some real talent and commitment to learning.

“I have been Louis’ mentor for years. He is really involved with music in the borough and from a musical family. I have seen him regularly every week for the last four years, as well as being first port of call regarding bigger matters. It has been a lovely relationship with both Louis and his family and next year, even though his scholarship will have finished, he will continue to be part of the borough.

“There is every chance he will go on to be a professional, it turns out to be in his blood. Louis is a lovely young man, very talented, very hard working and very humble. I am really proud of him to be nominated London wide.”

Winners will be announced on June 11. Find out more about the Hackney Music Service on 020 7241 7408.