Markus Simojoki will perform Four Impromptus . Op 90 by Franz Schubert and Three Preludes by George Gershwin

Markus Simojoki (15) began playing the piano at the age of five, and has been taught by
Richard Shepherd and, more recently, Samantha Carrasco. He took up the violin when he
was six and the viola three years later. He is also fortunate to have had an organ scholarship
at St Mary’s Portsea for the past two years. He spends most of his free time making music,
whether it be practising, performing or playing in ensembles. Markus was previously a
member of the National Children’s Orchestra, and now plays viola in Hampshire County
Youth Orchestra and leads the Gosport and Fareham Youth Orchestra. He enjoys being part
of school pit bands and ad hoc jazz ensembles on the piano, and regularly accompanies
other students. He was delighted to win the recital prize at last year’s Portsmouth Music
Festival on the piano, and gave his first solo recital at the Menuhin Room in Portsmouth on
the 28 th June. Last week, he was one of the finalists in the Winchester Young Soloist
competition, performing Piano Concerto No. 2 by Rachmaninov with Winchester Symphony
Orchestra. Alongside music-making, he particularly enjoys learning languages and reading.