Five Queen’s College pupils have gained places this year in some of the most prestigious national children’s orchestras and choirs in the UK.
Gregory Steward (Year 9) has gained a place in the main National Children’s Orchestra playing the French Horn. Gregory won the 2014 Taunton Junior Young Musician of the Year for his trumpet playing and is also an excellent singer. Daniel Seow (Year 8) has been awarded a place in the U13 National Children’s Orchestra, on the violin. His sister Alex was a member of the main National Children’s Orchestra last year and this year has gained a place in the Royal College of Music Junior Department. Ruby Lightwood (Year 7) has associate membership of the U12 National Children’s Orchestra playing the cello and Ellen Steward (Year 6) has been offered a place as a clarinettist in the National Children’s under 11 Orchestra.
The National Children’s Orchestras of Great Britain provides young people with a world-class foundation for orchestral performance and musicianship and are highly competitive to enter. Pupils must play two pieces of their choosing as well be proficient sight readers. Bringing together 7-13 year olds from across the country, the orchestras offers young people the opportunity to be guided by top musicians and to play in some of the finest concert venues in the country.
In addition, Bebe Fender (Year 6) has won a place in the Young National Schools U13 Symphony Orchestra, the preparatory orchestra before the National Youth Orchestra.
Abbie Hopwood (Year 5) has gained a place in the National Children’s Choir which aims to inspire young people to enjoy making music under the guidance of inspired teachers. Started as 38 children who sang in the Millennium Youth Prom in the Albert Hall, the choir now contains more than 200 young people aged 9-14.
Said Queen’s College Headmaster, Chris Alcock: “It is wonderful to see our young musicians really making their mark on national platforms. Many of these young people are music scholars at Queen’s College and their input into the musical life here is very valuable. All of these pupils learn at least one musical instrument and are members of our orchestras, swing band, choirs and musical theatre groups; to see them gain places in such prestigious musical groups is extremely impressive.”