Violinist Eleanor performs at iconic Royal Albert Hall

November 27, 2017

A talented violinist from Monmouth School for Girls has performed at one of London’s most iconic music venues.

Eleanor, from Year 7, was part of the Isca Linea Symphonia, which played at the Music for Youth Proms event at the Royal Albert Hall.

The 11-year-old was the only member from Monmouth School for Girls and has previously played at Birmingham Symphony Hall, St David’s Hall in Cardiff and St Woolas Cathedral.

The orchestra performed a medley by the late David Bowie with an electric string quartet.

Former Isca Linea member and tutor Carly Stone arranged the score and it was conducted by Nathan Stone, the director of Isca Linea.

Eleanor’s proud dad, Andrew, said: “Eleanor always throws herself into everything she does and has been musical from a very young age.

“She went to the local Stagecoach school from the age of four and took up the violin in Year 1 at Monmouth Schools Pre-Prep and Nursery with Jane Leney.

“All her music teachers have inspired her but especially Mrs Ruth Friend who currently teaches her violin. She has encouraged Eleanor to perform as much as possible to make sure she is a well-rounded musician and not just progressing through music grades.

“Both Mrs Amy Clouter and Mrs Friend have actively encouraged Eleanor by involving her in school orchestras and musical groups and she is a regular performer at the Friday Tea Concerts. They tutored her through her Grade 5 in music theory so she could progress to the higher music grades.

“She is also inspired by a former Monmouth School for Girls’ pupil, Jess Martin.”

Isca Linea Symphonia is a 150-strong string and percussion orchestra which caters for all abilities from ages 7 to 18.

The young musicians rehearse once a month in Caerleon, Newport as part of Gwent Music’s regular music centre activities.

Eleanor, a Monmouth School for Girls Music Scholar, has progressed through Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools, starting at Monmouth Schools Pre-Prep and Nursery.

She has passed her Grade 4 in piano, Grade 5 in singing, and Grade 6 in violin.

She is also a member of HMSSO, Senior Strings, St Catherine’s Strings, Greater Gwent Youth Orchestra, Greater Gwent Youth Strings, Isca Linea Senior Strings and North Monmouthshire Senior Strings.

Andrew added: “Eleanor found the experience of playing at the Royal Albert Hall exciting, astonishing and inspiring.  Away from music, Eleanor is very interested in astronomy and space so perhaps one day she could be the first violinist in space.”