​Star musician Will hits the high notes in maths

A TALENTED musician’s learning reached a crescendo as he scored four A* grades to win a place to study maths at university.

Ripon Grammar School student Will Bellaries, 18, from Sawley, who plays multiple instruments, including viola with the Harrogate Symphony and North Yorkshire Youth orchestras, developed a passion for maths during sixth form.

Delighted to achieve A*s in maths, further maths, physics and music – one of three students at the school to secure a clean sweep of four A*s - he will now study the subject at Durham University.

The 18-year-old, who has recently returned from a tour of France and Belgium with the county orchestra, where he led his section, also sings and plays piano, violin and saxophone.

He said: “I think some of the analytical skills in music lend themselves to maths fairly well, but I always viewed music as a contrast from the three maths-based A-levels I did.

“I’ve always had an interest in maths, but I found since starting A-levels my passion for it has really grown due to the breadth of new content and applications.

“To be frank, I struggled far more with music as some of the essay writing skills and the wide variety of components such as composition and performance were challenging. But I think it was good to study such a creative subject alongside maths.”

Will, who won awards at a number of music festivals, including the Harrogate Competitive Music Festival and the Ripon Young Musician of the Year Competition, played in various school ensembles including the wind band, choirs, big band, and chamber orchestra and also volunteered with a local choir as part of his gold Duke of Edinburgh award.

Having achieved his grade 8 on piano, he is currently working towards his diploma and taking grade 8 on viola, an instrument he only started playing in sixth form, and is also planning to take his grade 8 in piano next year.

The teenager, who has also worked part-time in hospitality during sixth form, said: “I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunities RGS has given me both in and outside the classroom, but I'm excited to continue my studies to further education and experience life away from home.”