Musicians are pride of their school
Gordano School musicians, Heather (piano), Miles (trombone), Charlotte (cello) and Jonathan (tuba). - Credit: Archant
FOUR musicians from a Portishead school are moving on to higher things after being singled out for their talent.
As popularity for bass instruments increases, four Gordano School sixth form students say they are pleased to be contributing to their rise.
Miles Chandler has become one of only three trombone players to be selected for the National Youth Wind Ensemble (NYWE) of Great Britain this year. The 17-year-old auditioned after a conductor from the National Children’s Wind Orchestra saw him play.
A spokesman for the NYWE said: “There was a great deal of first class competition for the trombone throughout the country this year but we were extremely impressed with Miles, his playing really is exceptional.”
Cellist Charlotte Frost, aged 16, and 17-year-old tuba player Jonathan Hinchliffe are also celebrating after winning the North Somerset Concerto Competition, an annual event which attracts scores of talented young players. After a rigorous selection process, two winners are selected and given the chance to perform a concerto with a full symphony orchestra.
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Charlotte and Jonathan will now embark on months of hard work and rehearsals before playing with the county orchestra and concert band on March 29 at All Saints Church in Weston.
North Somerset Music Service manager Mark Trego said: “To have two winners from the same school is a great endorsement of the work of Gordano’s head of music, Rebecca Hancock, and her team.”
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And finally, 16-year-old pianist Heather Bragg has been chosen to represent Nailsea Music Festival at a national contest, the Emanuel Cup, in London in May.
Heather, who has been playing piano since she was six, scored 90 out of 100, the highest mark given at this year’s festival, in the 17 and under jazz, blues and rag piano class.
