Uppingham cellist gives stunning performance at the Battle Proms

Harry Scott-Burt, a Music Scholar at Uppingham, has performed as the cello soloist at the Battle Proms concerts throughout the summer over six weeks, stunning audiences across the country.

The concerts were staged at Blenheim Palace, Burghley House, Hatfield House, Highclere Castle and Ragley Hall – with each being attended by over 5,000 people.

Harry was invited to perform by conductor Douglas Coombes, who has taken an interest in Harry’s outstanding ability from an early age. This included an invitation to sit in the cello section of the New English Concert Orchestra for a rehearsal when Harry was just 12 years old, having already achieved a Distinction in Grade 8 Cello.

Harry performed the first movement of the Elgar cello concerto and Saint-Saëns ‘the Swan’, accompanied by the New English Concert Orchestra.

Harry’s playing was extremely well-received, described by the conductor as “consistently impressive, and touching quite a few heart strings…a joy to work with.”

Harry said “it was great fun to perform in the Battle Proms concerts, and I really learnt a lot from the experience. Playing to so many people is not something I had ever done, and at the first concert I was a little nervous, but having done five performances, I feel much more confident with a larger audience.

“My best moment was during the first concert: after I had played the first big section of the Elgar, and hit my first perfect top E, an audience member right in front of me let out a 'football goal' cheer, and I was so encouraged to see - and actually hear - such a positive reception from the audience! Overall, it has been a brilliant 6 weeks, and I am really looking forward to any other opportunities to play in front of an orchestra."

This is a tremendous achievement for such a young musician, and we are very proud of Harry’s dedication and talent. We are really looking forward to welcoming him back in September to hear his superb playing at Uppingham once again.

Photos are courtesy of photographer Richard Baker.