From busking in Beechworth, to moving to New Zealand to further his musical career, 14-year old Monte Stamm is making big sacrifices in his quest to be one of the best in the world.
His commitment is already paying off. Monte has just returned from the Australian Solo Drumming Championships, where he was crowned pipe band snare drumming Champion for his grade.
He’s now focussed on fundraising to compete at the World Championships in Scotland with his school pipe band next year, so he’s spent a lot of time during the school holidays, raising money by busking.
“People often come up to me and put a little bit of money in and say ‘hope you get there’, it’s been really positive from the community,” Monte said.
Monte found an appreciation for pipe band drumming when he attended Scots School Albury, but in order to improve he accepted a scholarship to St Andrews College Christchurch, where he is tutored by respected World Champion Pipe Band snare drummer James Laughlin.
“I moved over there at the start of the year,” Monte said.
“I was a little bit nervous moving to another country, but I’ve been there for three terms now and the school is awesome and the pipe band is great.
“They won the World Pipe Band Championships in 2013, so they are very good at what they do. Hopefully we’ve got a good chance of that again next year.”
Monte’s drive for success comes as no surprise to mum Sarah.
“When someone finds their passion at such a young age – and it’s come from him – it’s pretty rare, and you’ve got to nurture it,” Sarah said.
“Sending him to New Zealand was a big decision, but he is resilient.
“If he wasn’t that sort of a self-driven, self-motivated kid, it wouldn’t even be on the table, so it’s a credit to him.
“My daughter Matilda is in Year 11 at the school, which is great because she is there is well.”
If sacrifice, commitment and passion is anything to go by, there’s no doubt Monte is on the fast track to success, even if he has to become an ‘honorary’ New Zealander.
“Hopefully this Kiwi band can go over there and show them something!” he said.
For more information on Monte and his journey – visit his Go Fund Me Page: https://www.gofundme.com/young-drummer-heading-to-scotland
