TALENTED musicians at Ringwood School entertained parents, staff and governors on Thursday whilst competing for the title of Ringwood Young Classical Musician of the Year. This is the fourth time the school’s music department has run the competition.

Head of Music Lindsay Blondel said: “The competition gives students the opportunity to perform a solo.

A panel of five judges marked students on their accuracy, interpretation, presentation and the overall impression given. “We were treated to an incredibly high standard by students across all year groups,” said Mrs Blondel.

Many previous competitors are now studying music and performance in higher education, including Nick Prince winner of the 2007 competition who started at Trinity College of Music in September.

In the year 7 to 10 category, first place was awarded to year 7 student Eric Woolley who performed on piano, with Alice Berry, year 10, in second place and Chloe Attwell, also year 10, in third. In the senior category, years 11 to 13, the trophy was won by James Pritchard who performed ‘Rhapsodic Fantasie’ on xylophone.

James chose to join Ringwood School Sixth Form in September to study his A Levels on the strength of the excellent results achieved by the music department.

He is studying music, music technology, French and biology.

Second place was awarded to Andrew Hawkins performing on the clarinet, and third place to Emily Cotton on violin.