GIFTED young musician Will Duerden wowed the judges at the finals of the Haslemere String Competition with The Waverley Ensemble at St Christopher’s Church.

The 18-year-old student of the Yehudi Menuhin School, who is heading to the Royal College of Music in September, was described as an “extraordinary musician” by Haslemere-based competition founder and award-winning violinist Ishani Bhoola, who was also one of the judges.

He played Eduard Tubin’s Concerto for double bass and his prize was £800 and the opportunity to perform another concerto with The Waverley Ensemble at St Christopher’s Church on November 16.

Ishani said: “Will is a fantastic player, he was also a finalist in the BBC Young Musician of the Year.

“He was head and shoulders above the other players.

“I had 22 participants in the 2019 competition, up from 11 in 2017.

“The competition has grown to double the size and the next one will be in 2021.

“It’s all about giving kids the confidence to play in public.

“The better you can play in public, the more concert opportunities you have.

“Learning music doesn’t prepare you for the profession and it’s also inspiring for kids to see others play in public.

“The rest of the finalists will perform in a side by side chamber music concert next year on May 3 at St Christopher’s Church.”

The competition is open to 11 to 19-year olds of Grade 8 standard or above who live in the South West or the South East of England.

To get involved, visit ishanibhoola.com/stringcompetition or call Ishani on 07834 275879.