Local musician, 11 Year old Willow has been offered a place in the National Children’s Orchestra (NCO) U12s playing the trombone while her twin sister Emily has gained a place in the 2025 NCO Projects Midlands Orchestra on flute.
The talented sisters attend Durlston Prep and Senior and started their musical journey at age 5 when they began playing recorder at the school. Since then they have become regular visitors to Durlston’s Music School. Emily progressed to flute, French horn and alto saxophone and Willow to bassoon and trombone (currently playing a Rath R400 kindly loaned to her by the British Trombone Society on their scheme to support players under 25 years).
Both girls have taken full advantage of the many musical opportunities available at Durlston with lessons from the supportive team of peripatetic music teachers and playing in the many school groups and ensembles. They have the chance to perform throughout the year in the school orchestra and as part of concerts such as the Jazz Evening, Carol Concert at Christchurch Priory and the Durlston Big Gig – a summer celebration.
Mrs Moss, Director of Music at Durlston commented “We are very proud of Emily and Willow who thoroughly deserve their achievements- they are both talented musicians but also have such a positive attitude and dedicated work ethic, as well as enthusiasm and a sense of fun. It is this combination of traits that have earned them their positions as Durlston Music Scholars. They are a pleasure to teach”.
Over recent years Emily and Willow have achieved impressive results in the Associated Board of the Royal School of Music examinations and have won various awards in the New Milton Music Festival. Emily was also the winner of the Christchurch Music Centre's Martin Fulker soloist competition and the solo competition winner on French horn at The Brass Academy residential Summer School where she was competing against pupils up to diploma standard.
Both sisters earned places in the 2024 National Children’s Orchestra (NCO) Projects Midlands, Willow on trombone and Emily on French horn. Their 2024 NCO experience took place over two weekends in Birmingham and was a memorable first experience playing in a full orchestra. Willow and Emily are also long-term members of Christchurch Music Centre* and Dorset Youth Jazz Orchestra where they are currently preparing for a December performance as part of the SoundCellar series at The Grasshopper in Poole, with special guest trumpeter Laura Gurd.
*Christchurch Music Centre is proud to support young musicians joining junior band as soon as they can play just 5 notes and welcome new members. Anyone is welcome to join for a trial session at 9am on Saturdays during term time.
