Sophia Hall, a Year 8 student at the Marist Senior School in Sunninghill has been selected for the National Youth Jazz Orchestra. Sophia is a highly talented musician instrumentally and chorally. In addition to her prowess on the saxophone she sings with Taplow choir. They who were recently chosen to represent the UK in the National Choir Competition. Sophia is understandably delighted with her success and Sophia’s teachers share in her delight.

Jocelyn Slocombe, Head of Music at the Marist Senior School, was so impressed by Sophia’s talent, she recommended to her parents at Parents Evening in March that Sophia should consider auditioning for the National Youth Jazz orchestra at a later date. Not being one to delay, that very evening Sophia researched the orchestra, and promptly presented for an audition with the orchestra as well as performing solos. Her final audition was with a famous Jazz Musician who was very delighted to invite Sophia to join the Orchestra. At 13 Years of age, Sophia is the youngest musician in the orchestra. The second youngest is 15 and the other numbers are significantly older.

Sophia started to play the Saxophone at the age of 7. She only recently started taking grade exams and she is already on grade 7. She practises every evening and every Saturday with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra.

The Marist Senior School are extremely proud of Sophia’s accomplishment. Miss Slocombe adds, “It is an outstanding achievement and we are very proud of Sophias individual success and the wider musical life of the Marist school.”