Talented Hemel Hempstead drummer passes Grade 8 during lockdown

During the summer the 12-year-old spent his time busking in town centres
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

A passion for drumming has led to a Year 7 student at Hemel Hempstead School achieving the Trinity College London Grade 8 exam.

Jack Dobson, 12, of Old Town, has been learning the drums for six years with Gareth Tyler and his team of tutors at Soundbox Music Academy.

Jack had a long-held ambition to pass the exam while he was still 11 but found it very difficult to practice during lockdown.

The 12-year-old found out this week that he had passed the examThe 12-year-old found out this week that he had passed the exam
The 12-year-old found out this week that he had passed the exam

He said: "All of the drum studios had to close and the drums is an unsociable instrument to play at home when all of my neighbours were in!"

During the summer he started busking in town centres and once he started his first term at Hemel School his music teacher allowed him to use the practice rooms at lunchtime.

The week before he turned 12, he took his exam, and this week he learned that he had passed.

Jack, who lives in the Old Town, has drumming lessons with Soundbox using zoom. His teacher Gareth Tyler even arranged for Anne Marie’s drummer, Ollie Wiseman, to provide a private lesson as a surprise for Jack.

Talented Hemel Hempstead drummer passes Grade 8 during lockdownTalented Hemel Hempstead drummer passes Grade 8 during lockdown
Talented Hemel Hempstead drummer passes Grade 8 during lockdown

Gareth said: “Jack has been an absolute pleasure to teach, he has been with me since he was six, he is very hard working and has a natural talent.

"Although passing grade 8 at such a young age is a huge achievement, there is still so much more we have planned for him.

"I look forward to coaching Jack as he continues to develop as a musician.’

Soundbox Music Academy offers one to one private tutoring, for more information click here.