Ripon Grammar School's head boy has described a "once-in-a-lifetime experience" after appearing on Channel 4's The Piano.
Will Renton performed in front of a live audience at Manchester railway station for the programme, alongside presenter Claudia Winkleman and musician MIKA.
Will said:
“For me this experience was something very different and very exciting - being on TV with Claudia Winkleman and MIKA was very unexpected!”
But his television appearance wasn’t his only performance that day.
Filming coincided with the closing night of the school’s production of Oliver!, where Will was due to play French horn in the orchestra.
He said:
“I knew that returning from Manchester on a Friday evening would be a nightmare!”
After spending most of the day recording his performance, interviews and additional footage, Will made it back to Ripon in time to take his place in the school orchestra.
His involvement in The Piano began after producers spotted a story about his outstanding GCSE results and his success in winning an Unsung Hero award.
He was invited to apply last November, before receiving an audition invitation from Love Productions several months later.
Will said:
“I was really shocked that they wanted me to do this.
“I went along with two of my pieces and did a short interview. I was unusually nervous because these were two brand-new pieces to me that I hadn’t played to an audience before.”
A few weeks later, he discovered he had been shortlisted and was asked to start preparing for a possible appearance.
Performing to a live audience at the station proved to be one of his highlights.
Will said:
“It was eye-opening being able to play for so many people in such a public area on a really nice piano and it was an amazing feeling.”
Although he wasn’t selected to progress to the final concert, Will was invited to attend and given a front-row seat to watch the winners from each episode perform.
He said:
“It was truly amazing to see such a wide range of outstanding performances.
“I had an amazing time - it was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I’d like to thank the team at Love Productions for everything they’ve done and congratulations to everyone who took part!”
Will began learning piano in Year 2, with his enthusiasm growing after starting secondary school, where teacher Katie Bell encouraged him to progress.
He said:
“Along the way from primary school, it became less of a chore and much more of a way to relieve and express myself through all my difficult times.”
Playing remains an important way for him to switch off from the pressures of school.
Will added:
“I very much use it as a way to relax, let myself forget my other worries and just as a hobby to enjoy.
“This is very important to me, particularly in managing my high workload.”
Will appeared in Series 4, Episode 5 of The Piano, which was broadcast on Channel 4 during the summer.
The episode is available on Channel 4 catch-up.
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