Eight-year-old makes Royal College of Music

Young Woolhampton school basoonist has only been playing the instrument for five months

AN EIGHT-YEAR-OLD boy from Elstree school in Woolhampton has become one of the youngest ever musicians to win a place at the Royal College of Music to play bassoon.

James Dundas has only been playing the instrument, which is nearly as tall as him and is fitted with shorter keys so he is able to reach them, for five months.

The talented musician also plays piano and cello and this month is auditioning for The National Children's Orchestra.

He is already a member of The Royal College of Music's Symphonic Wind Orchestra and uses in a special music chair as his feet don't reach the floor of the stage yet.

James said watching his older sister Lucy, aged 13, on the instrument, he decided to give it a go.

Peter Hewitt, director of The Royal College of Music Junior Department said: “It is quite unusual for someone so young. His ability on the bassoon is quite remarkable, but the fact that he also plays the cello and piano has helped him. Our view is that the bassoon is his instrument. He is a natural.”