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News of Clayesmore's first 'Grandson' Oscar Perks (aged 10)
While shopping in Guildford with his mother (Karren Ripper 76-80) one morning, they came across some buskers - a string quartet. Oscar is always mesmerised by live performing musicians and stood glued to the pavement. Karren popped into the bank and when she returned she found Oscar excited as the quartet had launched into Vivaldi's 'Seasons'. just as they were about to start 'Winter', young Oscar went up to the first violinist and said 'I can play this" and took over! Although he normally plays on a 3/4 size instrument, Oscar soon adapted to a different 'position' and to the astonishment of all played, through the movement from memory! (Though only ten years old at the time, he is a full time student at the Menhuin School).
Karren was brought down to earth with a bump: as she was walking away from the incident, a passer-by, who had listened to the performance, caught up and asked. 'Has he ever played the violin before?"