A YOUNG musician has won a place at a top music college after being awarded the highest grade on three different instruments. Lara Crowley, 17, from Malvern Close, Stevenage, has been accepted to study saxophone for a degree at the prestigious Trinity Co

A YOUNG musician has won a place at a top music college after being awarded the highest grade on three different instruments.

Lara Crowley, 17, from Malvern Close, Stevenage, has been accepted to study saxophone for a degree at the prestigious Trinity College of Music in London this September after achieving grade eight in soprano saxophone, clarinet and piano.

She gained a distinction at grade eight on soprano saxophone last month three days before her interview at Trinity, to add to the grade eight clarinet she was awarded five months ago and grade eight piano she achieved in 2006.

A student at Knights Templar School, Baldock, Lara is studying A-level music, music theory and media but only needs one E grade to be accepted at the conservatory.

Lara said: "I've played the saxophone since I was 13 and clarinet and piano since I was eight. I was encouraged by my parents, especially my mum, who plays clarinet and piano. I don't need any encouragement now though and I tend to practise for about an hour a day. After Trinity I do want to perform but it's hard to get into."

Lara's tutor at Stevenage Music Centre, Helen Wilson, who has taught Lara for the past five years, said: "Lara achieved full marks in three out of her four saxophone pieces - I have never seen that before at grade eight.

She is an exciting performer and absolutely loves it.

She is also dedicated and really absorbs everything I say. It goes to show that an ordinary girl from an ordinary school without private lessons can do it.