Lottie Anstee

Lottie Anstee was the winning instrumentalist in the Chelmsford heat of Rotary Young Musician two years running. On the second occasion, in 2018, she won all the way through to the National Final, which was held in Edinburgh that year. Today she came to talk to us about her pursuit of her interest in music and her experience of Rotary Young Musician.

She started playing the recorder at the age of five and switched to the flute when she as seven. By the time she was 13 she had reached Grade 8. She played first in the Essex Young People’s Orchestra and later in the Essex Youth Orchestra.

The experience and knowledge she gained by entering Rotary Young Musician for the first time enabled her to enter on the second occasion with more confidence and a greater insight. She found Rotary Young Musician very helpful in enabling her to develop her musical ability in front of a live audience and alongside other young instrumental soloists. She particularly valued attending the National Final in Edinburgh, as it was the first time she had played so far from home, in such a magnificent auditorium and at such a prestigious event.

She later went on to join the National Youth Orchestra and has played at the Proms with them.

Lottie has just finished her second year studying music at Churchill College, Cambridge. When she completes her degree she hopes to take a Master’s Degree in Musical Psychology, looking among other things at the development of musical ability.

Lottie played two pieces of music for us on her flute, one before her talk and one afterwards. This was very much appreciated and we wish her well in her future studies and career.