The National College of Music has appointed Mr Tom Cheater as its Young People’s Representative. This is a new appointment and one that the Board hope will initiate a synergy between young people, music of all genres and the College.

Although only 19, Tom has been playing music of all kinds for many years. His first public solo performance was in the Holywell Room in Oxford, when he was 8, and he has performed in many venues, on many instruments since then. He won the top music scholarship to Monkton Senior School in Bath, in 2004.

Tom is an eclectic musician and is primarily a bassoonist. He also plays the violin and viola and all members of the recorder family. He was part of the winning recorder ensemble in the Oxford Music competition in 2003. As far as contemporary music is concerned, he enjoys a reputation as an outstanding drummer and he also plays bass guitar. He was the drummer for the Monkton Big Band. Tom has sung in several choirs, and has been fortunate to have travelled with the choirs to many venues in the United Kingdom and North America.

As well as a profound love for, and knowledge of, classical music, Tom is enthusiastic about modern experimental music in both classical and contemporary genres.

Tom’s brief from the NCM is to devise and develop new initaitives that will attract and encourage younger musicians to develop their potential to the best of their ability. The Academical Board of the NCM is delighted to welcome Tom to the Academical Board, and much looks forward to the development of his new and exciting role.