Five talented musicians from Solihull School have gained a place at the National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain.

Gemma Winfield joins Katy Baker, who has been a member of the prestigious organisation for the last 7 years, to play clarinet in the main orchestra. Yichen Pan is part of the U13 orchestra on cello and Ziqi Ding and Viraaj Parmar play with the U11s on violin and clarinet respectively.

Tim Kermode, Director of Music, said: “We are absolutely thrilled. They are all magnificently engaged young musicians and thoroughly deserve being part of what, I am sure, will be a wonderful experience. The pupils put a considerable amount of time and dedication into their instrumental lessons and individual practice, and have a wonderful sense of inner musicianship that lets their instrument really sing.”

The NCO is the only orchestral learning programme for younger children across the UK. It gives children an early experience of the joy of orchestral playing, and helps them to realise their full creative potential.

In addition to the NCO selection, Katy and Viraaj are celebrating a second success having both been accepted into the National Schools Symphony Orchestra.  Katy, on her cello, will perform in the Philharmonic orchestra and Viraaj will play clarinet in the NSSO Academy Orchestra.

In September 2019 Solihull School and Saint Martin’s School announced plans to merge bringing the two schools together to create a larger Solihull School, which will provide dedicated early years, infant, junior and senior facilities on two campuses. Solihull Senior School will be located on Warwick Road Campus and Solihull Preparatory School on Saint Martin’s Campus from September 2020. The merger legally completed on Monday 6 January 2020.