Brentwood School guitarist is top pick

Classical guitarist Tom Hodgkinson has been awarded a prestigious place with the National Youth Guitar Ensemble and, as top auditionee, will join the elite NYGE Camerata tour of Southern Spain.

Fifteen-year-old Tom, a regular face at Brentwood School Performing Arts events, was the highest-scoring candidate in the NYGE’s latest round of auditions. Tom is also an accomplished jazz guitarist and is a leading figure in the Brentwood School Big Band.

The Camerata summer tour - the first overseas tour for the NYGE - will see him perform three concerts in Granada and Seville.

The NYGE invites the most talented classical guitar students in the United Kingdom to audition for ensemble training and performance opportunities throughout the year. Auditions happen every year in February and are open to all classical guitarists aged 12 – 25 years, from grade 5 to post diploma level.

Brentwood School Director of Music, Mr Florian Cooper, said: "This is amazing news and I am delighted for Tom, who is so deserving of this achievement."