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Lewis Banks

“The opportunities and support RCS provided for me over the course of my degree afforded me opportunities many musicians never experience throughout their whole career. From performing as soloist with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, performing new compositions by students or playing weekly chamber music with accompanist Scott Mitchell, the six years I spent at RCS have equipped me not only with musical skills, but the working relationships and contacts to last a lifetime. The graduate support provided by the RCS is truly inspiring and has assisted me in launching my own performance projects at a crucial time in my career.
I am forever grateful to have studied at RCS, and for the opportunities and challenges presented to me during my time there.”

– Lewis Banks

Courses: BMus Performance (Saxophone) 2016 and MMus Performance (Saxophone) 2018

Biography:

Lewis Banks is a Scottish saxophonist praised by The Herald for his ‘virtuosity and blinding characterisation’. Winner of the Sussex Prize at the Royal Overseas League Music Competition, Lewis is rapidly developing a reputation as an exciting soloist who thrives on traversing genre borders.

Lewis’s recent work includes his new album, Chrysalis (2021), featuring lush island soundscapes, jazz–tinged electronica and genre–ambiguous drone music for solo saxophones and electronics. Lewis is also a regular guest with ensembles such as The Royal Scottish National Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, BBC Philharmonic, The Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Scottish Opera.

Previously, Lewis studied at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland where he won most performance prizes, was awarded the highest attainable recital marks in both his final degree recitals, and graduated with The Principal’s Prize for Excellence.

Upcoming projects include the release of a new series of recordings on Eleven Kinds Records, the premiere of Electra Perivolaris’ saxophone concerto, Inscriptions in Granite with the Glasgow Barons, and the commissioning of a new saxophone concerto from firebrand composer, Jay Capperauld.