Music helped transform my school grades, says conductor
A MUSICAL conductor who was once labelled as having learning difficulties is heading for international stardom.
James Hendry, 27, who returns to his home city of Hull as the guest conductor at the Hull Philharmonic Orchestra concert on February 23, said music transformed him at primary school from “special needs into an ‘A’ grade student”.
He now works at the Royal Opera House after two years on the Jette Parker Young Artists programme, and also made his debut with the English National Opera in December at the London Coliseum where it is believed he is the youngest conductor in 40 years.
Seasons conducting Opera North and the Scottish National Opera are also in the pipeline.
Mr Hendry, from Wawne Road, near Sutton, attended St James’ Church of England Primary School on Dorchester Road, where he was inspired to take up percussion through Hull City Council’s Music Service. He said that without the opportunity, his life could have been very different.
He added: “It’s incredible what music can do. None of my family was musical, but once I took it up, everything seemed to fall into place and my grades shot up across the board, amazing the teachers and my parents.
“It focused my brain like no other subject could. It’s mathematical and a language in itself. I think the cutting back of music in education is very worrying, and, in a way I’m a living example of what music can achieve in schools.”
He joins the Hull Philharmonic with guest pianist Richard Uttley, who will perform Schumann’s Piano Concerto in A minor.