A PERCUSIONIST is to take to the stage for a pay-as-you-feel concert.

Eight years ago Steven Moore was running pubs and nightclubs across the country but after being diagnosed with Crohn's disease he decided to pursue his dream of becoming a solo musician.

Steven, who plays the marimba and vibraphone, will now play the Queen’s Hall in Hexham – rounding off his short tour of UK concerts to raise funds for his PhD.

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Music will range from J.S. Bach to contemporary works with film.

“I’m really excited to be performing at the Queen’s Hall because I’ve seen so many events there and always said I really want to perform there and now I’ve got the opportunity”, said Steven.

“I want to share the music and let people get out and enjoy music again after the horrible lockdown and make it a bit of a social experience for everybody.”

Steven took musical inspiration from piano teacher Bruce Arthur who toured with the Phantom of the Opera; Bruce would buy a percussion instrument everywhere he went, packing his house out like an Aladdin’s cave.

Steven added: “I think certain people are drawn to different instruments and for me, the marimba just had it all and I just absolutely love it.

“Because they’re so big, they’re either in universities in a cupboard with only the lucky few to get to touch it or if you want to see one otherwise, you’ve got to go see someone like Evelyn Glennie perform and you’re talking £80-100 pounds a seat.

“I just think it’s a dying shame that people can’t get to see these instruments and have a go and play on them which is why I have set about taking them out.”

Steven is also doing concerts in schools.

“The concerts that I’m doing for the schools are not just introducing children to those instruments but talking to them about go and do something that you love – whether it be drawing, writing, painting, or playing a guitar in a rock band – go and work on that one thing," he said. "If you do half an hour a day, when you get older, you could be doing something that you love.

“My hope is that I can get these children to focus on something. Even if I get one kid in that audience to follow their dreams, my life would be made up.”

The concert, on June 30 from 7pm, has free tickets with a retiring collection. Tickets at: https://www.queenshall.co.uk/events/steven-moore