a b o u t u s :

m a t t h e w g l o s s o p

I play the violin and viola in the quartet and I am 18 years old. Earlier this year I was winner of the Shropshire Concerto Competition having performed Mendelssohn’s violin concerto. I have gained a Distinction at Grade 8 on the violin. My second instrument is the piano which I have been playing since I was 10. I used to be a member of the National Children’s orchestra. I have also recently finished at Shrewsbury Sixth Form College. I attend the Royal Northern Junior Saturday School in Manchester and next year will begin a four-year degree course there in music performance. My other hobbies are football, tennis and golf.

d a v i d f a i r b a n k

I am 18 years old and one of the violinists in the quartet. I’ve been playing since I was 8 and jointly lead the Shropshire Youth Orchestra with Andrew. In the summer of 2000, I passed my grade 8 with Distinction and last year I was a finalist in the 2002 Shropshire Concerto Competition in which I performed the Bruch violin concerto with the Shropshire Sinfonia. Next year I will begin a four year degree in music performance at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. I have recently completed my studies at Shrewsbury Sixth Form College having taken maths, music, computing and chemistry. In my free time I enjoy honing my football skills and playing hockey for Shrewsbury Sixth Form.

a n d r e w k o s i n s k i

I’m 18 years old, and have recently completed my A Level studies at Adams’ Grammar School in Newport. I have played the violin since I was five, and achieved Distinction at Grade 8 in 2000. I also have Grade 6 on the piano and have recently taken the ABRSM Diploma exam on the violin. I am joint leader of the Shropshire Youth Orchestra and the Shropshire Youth Senior Strings, and led the Newport Joint Schools Orchestra for four years. Next year I have been offered a place to study civil engineering at Imperial College, London, but I hope to pursue my music further given the vast opportunities in the capital. In my spare time I enjoy playing football, badminton and crazy golf.

g r a h a m c a r t e r

I am 19 years old and the cellist of the quartet and I’ve been playing the cello for 10 years now. I have completed my first year of study at Leeds University, as a joint honours degree in music and French. I led the cello section of the Shropshire Youth Orchestra, and the Shropshire Youth Senior Strings. As well as passing Grade 8 on the cello with Merit, I have passed Grade 8 piano. On top of my musical interests, I play sports including squash, badminton, golf and swimming.

Last Updated: 15^th July 2003