Passionate musician Alexander Miller is making his mark with the Royal Bermuda Regiment Band at the tender age of 16.

Alexander, who joined the band as a cornet player last year, has starred in the full band, the fanfare team, the brass quintet and as a bugler.

But probably his biggest moment so far was his first solo at the Remembrance Day commemorations.

Alexander, from Warwick, said: “It was scary playing for the Governor and all the people of power in Bermuda, but I think I did well.”

The Saltus Grammar School pupil joined the regiment band under the 2018 Summer Musician Employment Initiative.

He said of his experience with the regiment so far: “The music is great. They always have a good selection of songs and it always comes together really well.

“It’s actually been really cool because it is a really good opportunity to see with other people the level that I am at.”

He is looking forward to performing at the Bermuda Day Parade this month.

Alexander realised his passion for music when he heard his school band play at the age of 9.

He said: “When I was in primary school, they wanted the school band to play in the assembly and I could feel the floor vibrating from the drums and I was like, ‘I want to be a part of that.’” He started to learn the trumpet and music has been a major part of his life ever since.

Alexander said: “It’s fun. It’s cool to create music, and once you have learnt the music, you can play, you can impress all your friends. There is a whole music community that you can join.”

Alexander said music also helped him relax. He said: “Sometimes I kind of get lost in music. You just keep on playing.”

Alexander passed the GCSE music exam last year with a Grade 8, the equivalent to an A, and has also gained a Grade 7 Trumpet Merit and a Grade 8 Piano Merit from the The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music.

He is also a part of Saltus Senior Orchestra, Saltus Jazz Band and the student jazz quartet, The B Sharp.

And while he has his eyes set on becoming an engineer, Alexander said his love of music would never die.

“Maybe not as a full-time profession,” he said, “but I always want to have it with me so I will join a local band or whatever.”