Dominic Seldis is the patron of West Suffolk Young Musician. Born in 1971 in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, Dominic grew up in Hardwick Lane. Although both his parents were non musicians, music became very much a part of every-day life for Dominic and his brothers from a very early age.
Dominic says his musical career was mainly down to his elder brother Justin. He says it is Justin who was the talented one, who joined the choir in St. Mary's Church B.S.E. and had violin lessons with the wonderful (and extremely patient) Kate Livermore. Dominic simply went along to keep him company.
Dominic and Justin became regulars at all the local music festivals playing both solos and duets (notably winning honours at the Breckland Music festivals in the groups category - grade 5 and under!) and Saturday morning music school in Bury. It was during this time that Dominic's father Ray opened the Promenade Music shop in Bury St. Edmunds - mainly to spend more time at home, but also to get instruments and sheet music at cost price!
When Dominic was 7 and Justin 10, they both auditioned for the specialist music school Chetham's school of Music in Manchester, and won a place. As Chetham's is a means tested school, it was then down to then County Music Advisor Keith Shaw to decide whether they were worthy of financial support from the County Council. Luckily the County were extremely generous and continued to support Dominic through his whole 10 years at Chetham's, where he studied with Duncan McTier. He then was awarded a top Scholarship to go to the Royal Academy of Music, London to study under Professor Robin McGee and then on to the Mozarteum, Salzburg to study under the Principal Double Bass player of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Professor Klaus Stoll.
Dominic has been a concerto finalist at the Shell LSO competition, prizewinner at the Royal Overseas league competition and was the first bass player ever to be taken under the wing of the Young Concert Artists Trust. Dominic has performed Concertos with such Orchestras as London Symphony Orchestra, the Philharmonia Orchestra, The Orchestra of St. Johns Smith Square and BBC National Orchestra of Wales. He has also performed with Pianist James Pearson numerous times on both BBC and commercial radio and television stations, at the Wigmore hall, South Bank Centre, and notable festivals and societies throughout Britain and Europe.
As well as solo and chamber music engagements, in 1998 Dominic was appointed the Principal Double Bass of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and in 2008 Principal Double Bass of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam (www.concertgebouworkest.nl/en/). He also free-lances with other orchestras and is often guest Principal Double bass with such Orchestras as Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Academy of St. Martins in the Fields, London Symphony Orchestra, The Halle, and the London Sinfonietta. He has also played on many television and film soundtracks, including Doctor Who, The English Patient, Goldeneye and Harry Potter.
He is also a presenter on BBC radio 4 and BBC television most notably as a judge on BBC2’s ‘Maestro’. In his spare time, Dominic is a keen amateur boxer and magician. He is married to Frankie and they have 3 daughters.
Since becoming a professional musician, Dominic has performed many times in Suffolk, recently performing 3 concerts for the Bury Festival. Dominic's family still live in Suffolk and he visits often.
Dominic is delighted to be the Patron of West Suffolk Young Musician. He extends his best wishes to all competitors and wishes the Competition a successful and thriving future.
For more information, please go to www.dominicseldis.com