Champion musician bags five gold medals at music festivals

A nine-year-old musician enjoyed a gold rush at the Maidenhead and Marlow music festivals.

Highfield Preparatory School student Sophie Cooper came away with a haul of five gold medals and The Dawkes Trophy for the most promising woodwind or brass soloist.

Sophie began playing the cornet at a young age and plays regularly in the school's orchestra, brass group and instrumental ensemble.

The youngster won first prize in the open junior brass class, grade four to five brass class and the 11 and under sacred song solo class at the Maidenhead Music Festival.

She then added to impressive collection, bagging gold in the grade three to four brass class and under 11 brass class at the Marlow event earlier this month.

Headteacher at Highfield school, Annie Lee, said: "Sophie has made outstanding progress and we are delighted that she has reached such a high standard so quickly and loves all her musical activities."