Talented young West Lothian musicians hit the high notes

Oliver Plenderleith from St Kentigern's Academy was awarded the top honour at the West Lothian Young Musician of the Year competition, which took place recently at Deans Community High School in Livingston.

Fellow pianist Latisha Chan from West Calder High School was named as runner up, and Linlithgow Academy vocalist Freya Nicoll coming third. All three received trophies courtesy of the Music Education Partnership Group and vouchers in recognition of their achievement.

Oliver will now go forward and represent West Lothian at the national finals at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow this May.

Executive councillor for education Andrew McGuire, who presented Oliver with his trophy, said: "Huge congratulations to Oliver for his superb performance to win West Lothian's Young Musician of the Year.

"He and all the other finalists shows what an impressive array of musical talent we have in West Lothian, and what our young people can achieve though hard work and dedication.

"I look forward to supporting Oliver at the national finals in May, where he will compete against some of the best musicians in Scotland."

He added: "Thanks to all the staff from the council's Instrumental Music Service and classroom music teachers, who worked together to stage competitions within each local secondary school to select who would represent them.

"Special thanks must also go to the three local adjudicators, Vicky Williams, Karen Clark and Sarah-Jane Sanderson, who had the difficult job of choosing a winner from the amazing array of talent displayed on the night."

Other students competing in the final were:

• vocalists Sophie Scott-Telford from Winchburgh, Emma Paterson from St Margaret's Academy and Abigail Neil from The James Young High School in Livingston;
• trombonist Zoe Dudgeon from Deans Community High School in Livingston;
• flugel horn player Lauren Downs from Armadale Academy;
• cornet player Ross Gilchrist from Whitburn Academy;
• pianist James Hamilton from Inveralmond Community High School in Livingston.