Lewis Banks
Ambassador for Woodwind (Saxophone)
Page Navigation
“The opportunities and support RCS provided for me over the course of my degree afforded me opportunities many musicians never experience throughout their whole career. From performing as soloist with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, performing new compositions by students or playing weekly chamber music with accompanist Scott Mitchell, the six years I spent at RCS have equipped me not only with musical skills, but the working relationships and contacts to last a lifetime.
The graduate support provided by RCS is truly inspiring and has assisted me in launching my own performance projects at a crucial time in my career. I am forever grateful to have studied at RCS, and for the opportunities and challenges presented to me during my time there.”
About Lewis
RCS Programmes: BMus Performance (Saxophone), 2016 and MMus Performance (Saxophone) 2018
Biography:
Lewis is a Scottish saxophonist praised by The Herald for his ‘virtuosity and blinding characterisation’. Winner of the Sussex prize, the Royal Overseas League Music Competition in London, Lewis has gained a reputation as an exciting soloist who thrives on traversing genre borders.
As a soloist, Lewis recently gave the world premiere of the soprano saxophone concerto Rewired by Scottish composer Jay Capperauld with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra in 2025, and has recently premiered new concerti by composers Electra Perivolaris and Courtney Bryan with the Glasgow Barons. Other solo appearances include performances of John Williams’ Escapades (2024) and Jacques Ibert’s Concertino da Camera (2016), both with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and the UK premiere of the orchestral arrangement of Santiago Baez’s L’Arlesienne Fantasy Concerto in 2018.
As an orchestral saxophonist, Lewis is a frequent guest with leading ensembles including the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, BBC Philharmonic, Scottish Opera, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Ulster Orchestra and Hebrides Ensemble.
Lewis serves as a saxophone lecturer at the University of Aberdeen and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, where he is also Co-Director of the annual Saxophone Summer School. Additionally, he has delivered guest masterclasses and examined at institutions including Chetham’s School of Music, the Royal Northern College of Music and St Mary’s Music School.
Lewis was previously educated at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, where he won most of the major performance prizes, achieved the highest attainable final examination marks in both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees and was awarded the Principal’s Prize for Excellence.
Alongside his musical career, Lewis is currently studying for a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBChB) at the University of Glasgow. More information about his recent work can be found at www.lewisbankssaxophone.com
