South Florida Senior To Perform At Grammy Awards
LAUDERHILL - (CBS4) - Will Bridges is no ordinary music student at North Broward Prep School.
Instead the 17-year-old high school senior will be in good company next week as he prepares to perform at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles scheduled for February 13th. It will be televised on CBS4 Sunday at 8 p.m.
Yes, that's right – a South Florida student not yet out of high school will be performing at this year's Grammy awards.
"It is a way that I can express myself," said Bridges who almost didn't take up the saxophone.
"I originally wanted to be a violinist, but my dad said, no, you are going to be saxophone player. He gave me his old college horn. You are playing saxophone and that is the end of it. It went from there really," said Bridges to CBS4's Jorge Estevez.
Bridges is one of five student musicians selected to be part of the Grammy Jazz Combo. Each year, Grammy organizers ask high school musicians to audition for the honor to perform on the nationally televised music awards show. This year, 1,000 high school musicians submitted their entry on YouTube and Bridges was among those selected.
"I was stunned," Will said when he received the phone call from the committee. "I didn't know whether to scream or cry, I was in shock."
Bridges was excited about heading to the Grammy Awards, but he is really excited about the invitation he received for walking down the Red Carpet.
"Yeah definitely, walking down the Red Carpet. I have never done that before and it is just going to be a really great experience for me," said Bridges.
Will said he is influenced by all types of music including Indian, Spanish, classical, hip hop, R&B and a little rock. Will has been playing the alto sax since he was in the sixth grade. Will comes from a long line of musicians. His father also played the sax; his Grandmother was a vocalist and pianist.
"Will has been a wonderful addition not only to the music department, but to the entire Fine Arts group," said Danny Lieberman, VP of Fine Arts Meritas at the North Broward Preparatory School in a prepared statement. "He has participated in dance as well as musical theater. He has played lead Saxophone in the Europe charity band having performed throughout Western Europe. He has played at concerts for the International Make-A-Wish Foundation of Austria having granted a wish for an ill child. He is not only a great musician but a great person and leader."
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