A Reigate school’s chamber ensemble has received outstanding marks at the Redhill and Reigate Music and Drama festival. Dunottar Chamber Ensemble, which comprises students from several local schools, won two cups. Its Bellini Oboe Concerto Group won the cup for the class, and its Cello Ensemble won the Chairman’s Cup for the best ensemble of the day. The Cello Ensemble’s performance of 'Maestro meets Puccini,' and then an original piece by Patsy Gritton called 'Midnight Special,' won the musicians an invitation to perform at the festival concert at the Harlequin Theatre in Redhill.

The adjudicator, Kay Tucker, told them: “Bravo! I would pay to hear you perform!”

The Bellini Oboe Concerto, for solo oboe and strings, won similar praise.

Chloe Barnes, 17, accompanied by the strings, thrilled the audience with her solo.

Conductor Loraine Nagioff said: “The students excelled themselves.

“Not only did both groups gain an outstanding mark for their ensembles, but they also received glowing comments from the adjudicator, who said that these were the best groups she had heard at any festival in the last year."

The Chamber Ensemble is welcoming new players from local schools in September. The minimum standard is Grade 4 for string players and Grade 5 for winds and brass.

For details of the auditions, which will be held at Dunottar School in Reigate, email: info@dunottarschool.com, marked for the attention of Miss L Nagioff (Conductor) by this Friday (June 6).

Previous orchestral experience is not necessary.