Bassoonist makes the grade

Twelve-year-old Lucy Dundas has been offered a place in the prestigious National Children's Orchestra

A TWELVE-year-old Newbury girl has been offered a place in the prestigious National Children's Orchestra (NCO) - after mastering the bassoon in just six months.

Musician Lucy Dundas, a pupil at the Brockhurst and Marlston House Schools in Hermitage had previously won a number of competitions from her piano and violin playing, but after she decided to take up the bassoon at the age of 11 she quickly ended up beating the best of the best and winning a place in the NCO.

Miss Dundas' bassoon teacher, Catherine Millar, said: “I have only ever experienced this level of progress once before when my student was an adult, professional oboist – not an 11-year-old child. “With 1000 of the top musicians trying for NCO every year, quick progress is not enough to get in, you have to play with great musicality, polish and sophistication to justify your place.

“That Lucy can do this is even more impressive than the pure act of being able to play a Grade 8 piece after a few months.”

NCO spokeswoman Geraldine Jones, said: “She was competing against the best of the best and we only pick the top four. There were only four places for bassoonists in the orchestra and Lucy has done extremely well reaching such a high standard after just six months.”

Meanwhile Miss Dundas' brother, James Dundas, who is only eight-years-old, who has also taken up the bassoon after being inspired by his sister and he recently won the Loddon Cup at the Basingstoke Music and Arts Festival. He was joined in this achievement by Emily Ambrose, aged six, of St Martin's School, who won the top prize for the under-7s recorder players.

Miss Dundas, who is also studying for Grade 7 violin after passing Grade 6 with distinction last year, will be in action as a soloist at The Macmillan Cancer Charity's Centenary Concert at St Nicholas Church tonight (Saturday).

Tickets cost £12 and are available from Newbury Building Society. For more information contact Jo Watt on 01635 519242.