Talented musicians flourish in exams

A MAGNIFICENT 17 talented Ripon Grammar School musicians are celebrating passing their music grade exams.

They include three students who achieved the top-level grade 8, one with a coveted distinction.

The students, all involved in the school’s wide variety of orchestras, choirs and musical ensembles, passed their Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music exams in a range of instruments.

They include piano, tuba, drums, clarinet, violin, saxophone, clarinet and trumpet, in addition to baritone, voice and music theory.

A very proud RGS director of music Michael Barker said: "It's wonderful to see so many students flourishing in music exams and so many achieving high marks. There were amazing skills shown by the grade 8 entrants and well deserved results."

Grade 8 student Chessie Abrahams, who achieved a distinction, is looking forward to playing in the pit orchestra at the school’s upcoming production of Sweeney Todd.

The 18-year-old, from Laverton, who has already gained a distinction in grade 8 singing, hopes to win a choral scholarship to university to study modern languages.

Nancy Manners, 15, gained a grade 8 in clarinet, which she has been playing for six years, and is now aiming for her diploma.

The aspiring lawyer, from Thirsk, also plays the tenor saxophone and plans to learn the alto saxophone and flute next.

Sam Mulligan, from Ripon, gained his grade 8 in tuba. The 17-year-old, aiming to study maths at university, says he loves playing for his own enjoyment.

*Music makers: some of those who passed their music grade exams, pictured above

See the full list of those who achieved their music grades below:

Sixth form

Xiao-Ai Hill – Grade 7 Piano

Sam Mulligan – Grade 8 Tuba

Chessie Abrahams – Grade 8 Piano (distinction)

Year 11:

Anson Fong – Grade 5 Voice

Gautham Nallapuneni – Grade 2 Drum Kit

Ruby Little – Grade 2 Drum Kit

Thomas Hallam – Grade 4 Drum Kit

Nancy Manners – Grade 8 Clarinet

Nancy Manners – Grade 5 Music Theory

Year 9:

Trinabh Srinivasan – Grade 3 Violin

Sravya Paturi – Grade 2 Piano

Lana Khalaf - Grade 2 Alto Saxophone

Phoebe Veltman – Grade 3 Voice

Joel Buckley – Grade 6 Baritone

Zac Jefferson – Grade 3 Drum Kit

Year 8:

Bethany Welford – Grade 2 Clarinet

Tabby Riddler – Grade 3 Trumpet

Eshwar Sureshkumar – Grade 2 Drum Kit