A MARLWOOD pupil has propelled the school to national musical recognition after being shortlisted for Student Composer of the Year.

Fifteen-year-old Claire Green, a year 11 pupil, is just one of seven young musicians to be shortlisted from more than 1,800 hopefuls in the Sibelius Student Composer of the Year 2008 competition.

The talented GCSE pupil, who lives in Almondsbury, is proficient at the piano and the violin and attends the Thornbury Area Music Centre at Marlwood School every Saturday.

For the competition Claire had to compose a short piece of music to accompany a film extract using Sibelius Music software, sponsors of the award.

Claire said: "I had to choose from a selection of short films on the Sibelius website to compose a piece of music which would reflect the mood of the film. "I chose a film called Night Shift as it inspired me to develop a composition, which not only fitted with the film, but enhanced its effect."

Alison Kerr, managing director of Sibelius Software, said: "Again we've been amazed at the high quality of entries. This year they've been better than outstanding. It shows what an incredible level of composing talent there is among our students."

Claire is now calling on her local community to get behind her entry.

If the young musician wins she will have her composition performed at a special awards ceremony at the Royal Academy of Music in London in February 2009 and receive a £500 cash prize.

Marlwood School would also receive a collection of state-of-the-art musical software and hardware for its music department to use and encourage other young composers.

Keith Geary, headteacher at Marlwood School, said: "I'm delighted at Claire's achievements. She undoubtedly has real talent and I am so pleased that it is being recognised in the public sphere. The whole school wishes her well."

To hear and vote for Claire's entry visit www.sibelius.com/competition/student_composer/2008/votes/film_10-16.html Public voting closes at midday on News Year's Eve and the winners will be announced on January 14, 2009.