The Sole Society, a Family History Society researching Sole, Saul, Sewell, Solley and similar names

Bradley Saul

A Musical Maestro in the Making?

by Dorothy Hughes

This article was originally published in the December 2002 edition of Soul Search, the journal of The Sole Society

Bradley SaulBradley Saul is the 17-year-old son of Martin and Moira Saul, of Bowenvale, via Maryborough, Victoria, Australia. Bradley has grown up on the family farm, originally selected by his great-grandfather’s uncle, Martin Saul, in 1869, and currently managed by his father Martin.

Bradley showed a great love and talent for music very early in his life. In particular the bagpipes fascinated him. At age 8 he began bagpipe lessons and the next year at age 9 began playing with the Maryborough Pipe Band, and has done so ever since, performing in highland band competitions and as a solo player. (Also serenading the animals on the farm while walking around outside piping to his hearts content!) At ten years of age he began cornet and trumpet lessons, playing in concert and brass bands at his school.

Bradley has travelled to Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide with the Maryborough Highland Pipe Band, and in 2004 will journey to New Zealand where the band will perform.

He has been soloist on such occasions as Anzac Day Services, and Vietnam Veterans Day, and has piped at many weddings. He is often asked to play with brass bands in the district, and has recently begun to play jazz trumpet with a local dance band.

Bradley has attained Distinction in AMEB exams and a trophy from the Victorian Highland Pipe Band Association for the most points awarded. He has also competed successfully at the prestigious Royal South Street in Ballarat, Victoria.

He is currently studying violin, as well as continuing with bagpipes and trumpet. 2002 saw the release of a 28 track CD on which Bradley plays pipes and trumpet, accompanied by church organist Hartley Davey, on the pipe organ at St. Johns Anglican Church, Dunolly, Victoria.

At secondary school this year, 2002, he is completing Year 11, but also studying bagpipes at Year 12 music level, the first student ever to attempt this. On completion of secondary school he hopes to attend the Victorian College of the Arts, and then to play in an orchestra. His long-term plans are to be able to combine his love of music as a teacher/tutor and part time farming on the original Saul farm. To this end he is already in partnership with his father Martin building up the “Bowenvale Boer Goat” stud.

The following are just some of the other instruments Bradley plays.

E. Flat horn, Tuba, Drums – Bass and Snare,

Euphonium, Piano Pipe Organ

Baritone, Mouth Organ Marimbas Guitar

Trombone, Glockenspiels Didgeridoo