Four years ago, Olds' Bryce Cotton took up drumming because he “thought it would be kind of cool.”Last weekend, he received a gold medal from Canada's Royal Conservatory of Music for his percussion skills.Bryce, 14, was one of four Alberta percussionists recognized with a gold medal from the conservatory on April 27 at the conservatory's 2013 Calgary Convocation and Gold Medals Ceremony.He studies music under the guidance of teacher Teena Trick-Wilks, owner of Didsbury's Top Note Music School who also received a gold medal for Grade 1 trombone and Grade 4 French horn at the ceremony, and he completed his Grade 4 test through the conservatory in February 2013.He was awarded the gold medal for receiving one of the top marks in Alberta for his Grade 4 test in percussion with a score of 80 per cent.Bryce said he plays multiple percussion instruments including a traditional drum set, bells, cymbals and the xylophone.He is a percussionist with the Olds High School band where he usually performs orchestral music.But outside of school, Bryce said he prefers to play rock.His favourite drummer is Joey Kramer of Aerosmith.Bryce also received a $125 scholarship last fall from the Olds and District Music Teachers [email protected]
