Lachlan Glover blows his way to James Morrison scholarship

MOST 15-year-olds would not be familiar with Perth nightlife, but for Lachlan Glover the inside of more than 18 venues has become a second home.

Playing the likes of the Ellington, the Perth Concert Hall and the “eye opening” Devilles Pad, the Winthrop based musical protege is making a name for himself on the jazz scene, being crowned the youngest ever finalist for the James Morrison scholarship.

To contend for the $10,000 prize and $5000 recording deal Lachlan travelled to Mount Gambia in South Australia last week thanks to assistance from the Variety Scholarship Program to take part in a 300 strong band competition, playing to 5000 people.

Discovering his love of the trumpet in Year 5, Lachlan said he sought to take more lessons, get into better bands, meet new people and continue from there.

The trumpet was not enough to satisfy his musical appetite, so Lachlan also took on the alto and tenor saxophone.

He joined the West Australian Youth Jazz Orchestra at 12, the youngest person to not only enter but to make their way to the big band, representing the tenor in the Tuesday orchestra.

He has even taken to the stage with James Morrison himself, invited on stage to perform with the support of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra.

Lachlan said it was common for him to be the youngest member of his various bands by at least 10 years.

Despite finding the balance between his music and schoolwork “tricky,” Lachlan still makes time for his local cricket club on the weekends, while also playing for the district.

Lachlan will leave Perth at the end of this year to study at the James Morrison Academy of Music for three years.

From there, New York is in his sights with Lachlan planning to learn from the world’s best musicians at The Juiliard School.

“I can’t wait,” Lachlan said.

“Going to uni will let me play more.

“I’ll just get a lot better and be the best I can be before America.”