Teenager is chosen as french horn player for orchestra

A TALENTED Winsford youngster has been chosen as a french horn player for the prestigious National Youth Orchestra.

Katie Jones, 15, of Coniston Avenue has been playing the horn for six years and also plays the piano but was amazed when she was picked.

She said: "I never thought I would get in, they accept people up to 18 years old and many of them go to specialist music schools while I go to Leftwich. I'm just very excited of what is going to come."

Katie applied for a place in the orchestra through her music teacher and travelled to London, where 30 young french horn players were auditioned but only ten were chosen.

Katie will undertake a two week residential course and will play in front of music fans at venues such as the Royal Albert Hall and the Bridgewater Hall, but all this prestige comes at a price.

"It is a big commitment because we have to take time off school and this is my GCSE year. You also have to go to bed early, get up early and put in a lot of practice," said Katie.

Proud mum Deborah Roberts said: "I think she has done really well and I think it is a good thing for the school and for the area in general."