Renowned violinist Benjamin Roskams inspires students at Shrewsbury Riverside
article Riverside Music Riverside Senior SHR ArticleOn Friday, January 31st, students in the Chamber Strings Programme at Shrewsbury Riverside had the incredible opportunity to work with world-class violinist and viola player, Benjamin Roskams. A distinguished musician who has performed with renowned ensembles such as the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Roskams brought a wealth of experience and inspiration to the students.
During his visit, he shared insights into his musical journey, from first learning the violin in school to being inspired by legendary violinist Jascha Heifetz. He emphasised the importance of dedication, open-mindedness, and continuous listening as key elements in a musician’s development. Mr Benjamin also highlighted how playing in a chamber group teaches valuable life skills such as teamwork, leadership, and collaboration.
Encouraging students to find fascination in music, he spoke about the lifelong impact of engaging with classical music, whether as a performer or listener. He also discussed the importance of outreach in classical music, believing that “everyone loves classical music—they just don’t know it yet.”
His visit left students inspired and motivated, reinforcing the idea that music is not just about performance, but about communication, connection, and lifelong discovery.
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