Merritt Factor:
· Double Bass:
Classical & Jazz
· Choral
I plan to pursue music as a major or minor at university and actively participate as a double bass player in orchestras, jazz ensembles, and choral groups. While I have extensive classical performance experience, including as a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, I am passionate about furthering my development in both classical and jazz performance.
Awarded music scholarships at Eton for high school and Westminster Under School for middle school, I initially focused on classical double bass and choral music. I have studied music for ten years, undertaking formal academic study of Music at both the GCSE and A Level for the last four years. I also have the highest possible grades (ABRSM Grade 8, Distinction) in performance for Voice and Double Bass, and an ARSM Teaching Diploma in Voice. At the age of ten, I began studying jazz double bass, and I’ve become increasingly engaged with jazz performance as well as the complexities of contemporary music composition, which I hope to study further.
My Classical Performances
At Royal Albert Hall with Alexandre Bloch conductor
Visible at 25:00 and at points throughout.
Symphony No. 1 in D major by Gustav Mahler
Ma Vlast by Smetana
Orpheus Undone
The Flying Dutchman – overture
From the Barbican Centre
Three, Four AND …(14 mins)BBC co-commission: world premiere; conducted by Tess Jackson
My Jazz Performances
No Music JAZZ Improv. Preview
Live performance dates coming soon…
Jazz Club Ronnie Scott’s London
Choral WILLIAM BYRD PERFORMANCE
Stile Antico Youth Consort
Stile Antico is firmly established as one of the world’s most accomplished and innovative vocal ensembles. Working without a conductor, its twelve members have thrilled audiences on four continents with their fresh, vibrant and moving performances of Renaissance polyphony. Its bestselling recordings have earned accolades including the Gramophone Award for Early Music, Diapason d’or de l’année, Edison Klassiek Award, and Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik. The group has received three Grammy® nominations, and performed live at the 60th Grammy® Awards at Madison Square Garden.
I performed as a member of the Youth Consort of this vocal ensemble.
My Music Journey
MUSICAL SCHOLARSHIPS & HONORS
Eton College Music Scholar (2020 – Present)
Selected as one of eight music scholars through a competitive national audition process (double bass).Keeper of the Orchestra, Eton College (2024-2025)
Leader of Eton’s most selective orchestra.Humphrey Lyttelton Prize (2022, 2023 & 2024)
Runner-Up in jazz competition.Westminster Under School Music Scholar (2018 - 2020)
Royal Academy of Music, Junior Department (2019-2020)
Principal bass.
MUSIC TEACHERS
Nathan Feddo (2020 - Present) - Jazz Bass
Dan Swana (2017 - 2020) - Jazz Bass
Carina Cosgrave (2018 - Present) - Classical Bass
Judith Evans (2014 - 2017) - Classical Bass
Ross Sharley (2021 - Present) - Voice
ORCHESTRA EXPERIENCE
Jazz:
Eton Jazz Big Band, 2022 - present
Lead bass player, including a 2024 performance at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, London.Eton Senior Jazz Ensemble, 2021 - present
Lead bass player.Repertoire Highlights:
Herb Alpert: Tijuana Taxi
Chick Corea: Spain
Dizzy Gillespie: A Night in Tunisia
Duke Ellington: It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)
Bass Solos:
Sonny Burke / Paul Francis Webster: Black Coffee
Miles Davis: So What
Billy Strayhorn: Take the "A" Train
Westminster Under Senior Jazz Ensemble, 2018 - 2020
Classical:
National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, 2023 – 2024
Second Desk, double bass. Notable concerts included BBC Proms at Royal Albert Hall.Eton Symphony Orchestra, Principal Bass, 2021 - Present
Led tour to Romania, 2024, with performances in Bucharest, Brasov, and Sibui.Repertoire Highlights:
Richard Strauss: An Alpine Symphony, Op. 64
Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 1 in D Major
Richard Wagner: The Flying Dutchman – Overture
Missy Mazzoli: Orpheus Undone
Eton College Chamber Orchestra, 2021 - Present
Choral:
Stile Antico Youth Consort, 2022 & 2023
Member of renowned acapella group.Rodolfus Choir Youth Consort, 2021 & 2023
Included BBC Evensong at St John’s College, Cambridge.Eton College Chapel Choir, 2020-21; 2023 - Present
Upcoming international tour in April 2025.Additional Choral Roles:
Conductor of Pop Choir, member of Gospel Choir and Etonality Acapella Group.Choral Repertoire Highlights:
Maurice Duruflé: Requiem, Op. 9
Cecilia McDowall: Adoro te devote
Traditional: Coventry Carol
