Baritone star is Rotary Club UK Young Musician of the Year

Whitburn Band’s 16 years old baritone star Charlie Boax is celebrating becoming the Rotary Club UK Young Musician of the Year.

After winning the Rotary’s Scottish final last month, Charlie (cover photo) competed against 11 other finalists from across the country at the Chetham’s School of Music last weekend.

The former Irvine & Dreghorn player won performing Zelda by Percy Code and With His First Breath by Paul Lovatt-Cooper.

Charlie was appointed principal baritone with Whitburn shortly after joining the band last autumn and then going on to win her first Scottish championship title in March.

A few weeks later, she then won the Scottish solo championship in the Intermediate section for players aged 16 and under.

Charlie said: "It has been a brilliant year since I joined Whitburn Band and I am still buzzing after winning the Rotary Young Musician prize. I’m now looking forward to playing in my first European contest with the band in Malmo and the also Grand Shield."

Charlie Farren, Whitburn chairman, commented: "Everyone at Whitburn is delighted for Charlie after her success at the Rotary Club championships. She has been a fantastic addition to the band."

• Congratulations also to Angus Ritchie, principal euphonium with the Kirkintilloch Kelvin Brass, and tenor horn player Andrea Crumlish of Brass Sounds Inverclyde for winning their respective heats in the Scottish Young Musicians solo competition.

Angus won the North Lanarkshire heat and Andrea the Inverclyde event to progress to the final at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland on Sunday 21 May.