Sam plays it again to win top award (From Gazette Series)

Sam plays it again to win top award

A TALENTED young violinist has scooped a top award in a regional music competition.

Rednock School sixth-former Sam Jones played expertly to pick third prize in the Southern Cotswolds Rotary Young Musician of the Year Competition.

Sam is leader of the second violins in the Gloucester Youth Orchestra and a member of the elite String Ensemble Prima Chorda and has recently toured Italy with the group.

For two years running he has been a recipient of the North Nibley Performing Arts Bursary and has used the money to complete several String Quartet Courses in France led by the Carducci Quartet.

Head of Gloucestershire Music Service Malcolm Pollock was chairman of the judges.

Mr Pollock said the judges found it difficult to choose an overall winner.

"We found it very difficult to distinguish between the six finalists," he added. Sam's younger brother Geoff competed in the preliminary rounds and it is hoped that he will enter the competition again next year playing his cello.

Rosie, their younger sister is also following in the family footsteps and hopes to enter next year along with Rednock pupil Elsie Kenny who also played this year in the competition.

Spokesman David Payne said the next competition is expected to produce more winning performances.

"I am sure we can all look forward to another year of high standard entertainment from the young people of the area," he said. "When it is also hoped that musicians from other schools in the area will join in."

This is the first year that the seven southern Cotswold Rotary Clubs have joined forces in the search for the best musicians who live or attend school in the South of Gloucestershire and the North West of Wiltshire.

In total there were 18 entries all of whom are grade six or above in their instrument. From the three preliminary rounds, two winners from each competed in the final.

The winner, Neil Roberts, on trumpet, of Stroud's Downfield School Sixth Form has been invited to play at the Rotary District Conference in Plymouth on Saturday, April 3 before an audience of around 800.

Anyone eligible who may like to enter next year should contact any member of a Rotary Club, speak to their school's head of music or phone Martin Greaves on 01452 740622.