Meet Haseeb from Sheffield. The young A-Level student plays the trombone in National Orchestra for All (NOFA) and has developed newfound confidence since joining the inclusive group. He is also a member of our inspiring youth board. Here’s his story…
What’s keeping you busy at the moment?
Well I’m studying maths, physics and engineering at A-Level. I’m currently in Year 12, so I’ve just done my mock AS exams. My favourite subject is engineering!
What are your thoughts on the coronavirus pandemic?
I’m looking forward to being able to go out without having to wear a mask all the time. And I'm definitely looking forward to actual NOFA courses!
I think it’s amazing that we've been able to overcome such a barrier but at the same time I would prefer for things to go back to normal. I miss hearing the finished product in an orchestra and the combination of everyone playing together.
Read more: QUIZ: Can you match 7/11 of these musical instruments with their orchestra families? >
‘I’m not the most confident person – but I’ve gained confidence since joining NOFA’, says Haseeb
Have you picked up any new skills during lockdown?
I started driving lessons in October and I do enjoy that, so I guess you could call that a hobby! We’ve been in and out of lockdown though, so it hasn’t been very consistent…
Tell us what you love about music.
I started playing the trombone in Year 5, so I’ve stuck with it for quite a while. I don’t know – I've always enjoyed music whether it be classical or something more modern and contemporary. It’s always appealed to me.
I enjoy playing everything on my instrument but at the moment I’m just trying to improve my sight-reading and my sound.
Meet our musicians at Orchestras for All >
What’s it like being part of an inclusive group like National Orchestra for All?
It’s just something else, isn’t it? You see there are some people who are from other backgrounds, for example myself – I don't know anyone in my family who has actually played an instrument before, so I would consider myself the first person to delve into playing music.
Pictured: Trombonist Haseeb (bottom right) joins his orchestra friends for an inspiring youth board meeting
There’s also the fact that there are people with learning difficulties and disabilities. It's amazing how they have opportunities when they wouldn’t normally. It gives you a different perspective on other people’s lives as well because not everyone’s life is easy.
It’s also helped with my confidence because I know that when I was young I wasn’t very confident – and I'm not the most confident person at the moment but I have gained confidence since joining NOFA.
What advice would you give to other young musicians who are considering joining an orchestra?
Go for it, honestly! What’s the worst that can happen, really? It’s great fun and you pick up loads of new skills in the long-term.
And finally, please complete the following sentence. Orchestras for All is…
Amazing! I don’t know how else to describe it really. It feels like a family of people from all over the UK and not everyone is the same – there’s loads of differences between each member and it’s the fact that we can be part of something bigger together.
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