It was Alex's mum who first gave him the idea to put a book of tunes together, committed as he is to multiple areas of musical practice, from playing to conducting to composing.
‘The book consists of a collection of tunes depicting animals as I see them,’ says Alex. Written for treble clef instruments, specifically brass players, the music takes students from ‘Swirling Seagulls’ to ‘Snake Charmers’, with illustrations to match. ‘It was my dad's idea to get the book illustrated,’ he says.
Beyond the support of his parents, Alex has been aided and encouraged in this feat by his teacher. Lucy Pankhurst – of the famous feminist family – is a brass teacher and composer who describes lessons with Alex as student-led, governed by his fierce determination and inquisitive mind. Alex's book is aimed towards those who are developing their playing with a teacher, with notes for teachers included.
Lucy has been teaching Alex for over three years. He initially sought out lessons to learn the cornet and it soon became apparent that Alex had an exceptionally good ear – upon hearing a tune he could play it straight back. In lessons, Lucy would have Alex make up melodies as an exercise to keep his mind engaged. Alex then started writing his own tunes at home, and listening to his teacher play the compositions back in the lesson. At this stage, he has even begun to try conducting his teacher, ensuring that she plays all the dynamics.
‘It's been a massive learning curve for me as a teacher,’ says Lucy. ‘As a student Alex is wonderful and unique. I come to lessons with a whole host of options, so that I can be flexible. We start on the instrument, and if his mind wanders we can regain focus by looking at something else: playing, theory, conducting, writing… or a little bit of everything until we find what works that day.’
The power of ensemble
Two years ago, Lucy Pankhurst and her partner, Paul McGhee, formed Splinters to perform a commissioned piece at the Wembley Arena, representing Accent Music Education Hub. The group consists of talented students from Warrington and Halton, aged 8 to 18. Lucy recalls inviting Alex to join the ensemble, but he was not keen to play with others at first. Despite his anxiety he decided to join, and both teachers and parents have seen the band as a catalyst for Alex's musical career.
Lucy describes the ensemble as having ‘a great chemistry across all ages’, and the band as a support network has given him self-assurance as well as opportunity to put new skills into practice, from studying the score to conducting band warm ups: ‘When I first met Alex he would not have wanted to get up and play a solo, and his autism meant he wasn't always confident about the social aspect of performing – but I've now seen him flourish in a social and musical environment. His autism is not an issue among his band colleagues. They value him as part of the ensemble and enjoy his colourful outlook on life; they look up to him and there is no hint of it being a disability, as some might think.’
News of the book's success has also spread overseas, with Lucy getting in touch with Alex's favourite composer, American trumpeter Allen Vizzutti – a dream come true for the little lord, whose second book may soon follow.
© WOUTER VAN RIESSEN
