Stephen Payne

Stephen, originally from Essex, is a first year undergraduate student at the Royal Academy of Music, currently studying with Michael Thompson. Stephen started playing the horn when he was ten years old and soon after picked up the Tenor Horn as well. After joining secondary school Stephen expanded his knowledge of repertoire and developed a keen interest in playing Film Scores, Musicals and Jazz. Throughout his time at secondary school Stephen took part in various workshops and projects with the LSO which lead to being selected to play Principal Horn in the LSO Youth Orchestra at the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games, recording Elgar's 'Nimrod' and 'And I will Kiss' by Underworld at Abbey Road and playing live at the event. Aged fifteen he successfully auditioned for Junior Guildhall, studying under David Bentley as well as playing solo Horn in the Junior Guildhall Brass Band and Principal Horn in The Junior Guildhall Symphony Orchestra. Stephen also plays solo Horn occasionally for both the City of London Brass Band and The Royal Greenwich Brass Band. Aged 16 Stephen auditioned for NYMT (National Youth Music Theatre) and was selected to play Principal Horn on two shows, including one new musical by Benjamin Till called 'BRASS' which subsequently went on to win the UK Theatre Award for Best New Musical 2015. The success of this show lead to the production of two music videos and an Original Cast Recording. Solo performances include playing Mozart's 4th Horn Concerto with the Havering Youth Orchestra as well as many solo competition wins including: The Coopers' Music festival, Havering Young Rotary Musician of the Year, Havering Young Musician of the Year, Essex Young Rotary Musician of the Year, as well as being Highly commended in the Junior Guildhall Lutine Prize.