Proms date for Rachel On stage at packed Albert Hall
A Hamilton Grammar pupil has earned a prized place with the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
Sixth-year student Rachel Naylor will be playing the French horn at the Last Night of the Proms in the Royal Albert Hall.
The orchestra will be performing the world premiere of Tom Harold’s compostion ‘Raze’ on Saturday, September 10.
Rachel (17) began playing the French horn seven years ago while she was at Woodside Primary School.
After auditioning for the junior department at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland she began studying there, being taught by Sue Baxendale, principal horn with the Scottish Opera.
Now Rachel will live out one of her dreams when she takes to the stage in just over a week.
She explained: “In April I applied for the BBC Proms Youth Ensemble.
“After completing a successful application form, followed by glowing references, I was invited to do a recording audition.
“The audition involved playing grade 8 repertoire and various orchestral excerpts.
“I was absolutely delighted to receive word in late June that I had been successful and I was invited down to attend rehearsals in the BBC Maida Vale studios in London.”
Rachel, who is studying Grade 8 French horn, grade 8 piano and grade 8 theory this year, is also auditioning for various conservatoires of music.
She has been a member of the school concert band, jazz band and the South Lanarkshire Band.
At her audition she was the only Scot and was one of the youngest members of the orchestra, with most of the players studying at the London Royal Academy, London Royal College and the Royal Northern College in Manchester.
She added: “I am extremely excited about returning to London for a final rehearsal before the performance in the Royal Albert Hall on the Last Night of the Proms.”