A CHEPSTOW musician has won a coveted place at the prestigious international music school.

Joseph Edwards, 16, who attends Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital School in Bristol will enrol at Yehudi Menuhin School in Cobham, Surrey in September after completing a three-tiered audition process over three days.

Joseph, of Earlswood, near Chepstow, has been playing the violin since he was four and credits his Monmouth music teacher, Sian Cobb with his success.

The former Shirenewton Primary pupil and his brothers Silas, 14, Tolley, 11 and sister Eve, nine, all perform in the National Youth Orchestra or National Children’s Orchestra.

Funded by the Department of Education, Joseph will spend three years studying music alongside his A-Level studies.

With an international reputation, Yehudi Menuhin School has only 74 pupils ages eight to 19, all specialising in stringed instruments and boasts alumni such as Nigel Kennedy and Nicola Benedetti.

Funded by the Department of Education, the school will provide him with excellent instrumental teachers, adequate time for practice, opportunities for performance and ensemble work and a broad range of other music study and activities running alongside his A levels.

His mother, Lucy Edwards, said he is ‘over the moon’ to have won a place.

She added: “He has been learning to play the violin with Sian since he was four years-old and still attends weekly lessons with her in Rockfield, near Monmouth.”

She added: “The stimulating environment provided the QEH Music department under the leadership of Mr Ed Gent cannot be faulted. My boys are inspired by the enthusiasm of the team at the school to become involved in music at the highest level. Music is at the heart of the school.”