Finding a moment to chat with 17-year-old East Dunbartonshire saxophonist Euan Kemp is surprisingly easy. “I’ve just finished school,” he says, noting that, for now, his time is mostly his own. It’s easy to understand why Kemp might want to relax a bit: his final school years have been particularly busy, marked by both exams and the recent achievement of winning the title of Scottish Young Musicians Solo Performer of the Year in late May.
“The competition spanned three rounds from February to May, and I performed different pieces for each round,” he explains. “For the final, I aimed for a more cohesive program rather than just showcasing technical skills. I chose a modern piece by Japanese composer Ryo Noda, which includes many unconventional playing techniques and even a section where I get to growl. I also performed the Fantaisie-Impromptu by André Jolivet, a classic piece in the saxophone repertoire.” Along with a cash prize for his win, Kemp will receive significant support from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, including a recording session, a lesson with one of their teachers, and participation in a masterclass next year.
Kemp’s musical journey started early, beginning with choirs and then the piano, though he admits he didn’t enjoy piano much. It wasn’t until he started playing the saxophone in S2 that he truly fell in love with it. Despite his evident saxophone skill, showcased in his Scotsman Sessions video, it’s not his only musical interest. “I’ve also been involved in a lot of conducting,” he says, mentioning Stuart Stratford, the Music Director of Scottish Opera, as his conducting mentor. “This year, I formed an ensemble at Douglas Academy, my former school, where we hosted two-week sessions allowing other students to play concertos with a small chamber orchestra, which I conducted.” Currently, Kemp is considering his options for further study: he has offers to study saxophone at the Royal College of Music in London or to study music at Oxford.
For his video, Kemp selected two short pieces, “Le petit âne blanc” and “Bajo la mesa” from Ibert’s Histoires, arranged by French saxophone pioneer Marcel Mule. These are pieces he knows well and has played for years. “They’re full of character and really enjoyable to play, especially in a duo. Claire and I really feed off each other,” he says, referring to his regular piano partner, Claire Haslin. “She’s one of Scotland’s finest accompanists and works in true partnership, which has greatly enhanced my playing.” Whether as a prize-winning saxophonist, a conductor, or in some future musical role, Kemp is undoubtedly a talent to watch closely.
