AN accomplished young Greenock musician has become only the second person EVER to be accepted onto a prestigious music course playing her particular instrument.

Andrea Crumlish, 17, is the second tenor horn player in history to be offered a place on the Batchelor of Music (Hons) degree at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

The skilful teenager, who is also a talented singer and pianist, has been playing the brass instrument for four years since moving over from the cornet.

After an audition earlier this year, Andrea - who is in S6 at Inverclyde Academy - was thrilled to learn she had won at place at the world-renowned music school.

She said: "It's so exciting knowing that only one person has gone through the course before me.

"The tenor horn isn't classed as an orchestral instrument but it features in British brass bands.

"The conservatoire is offering the course tailored specifically for it, which is fantastic."

The teenager started playing piano when she was just four and took up singing in P6, before moving onto the cornet.

She picked up the tenor horn in 2018 and started taking lessons from Mark Good of Riverside Youth Band - and has been note perfect ever since.

Andrea added: "I had been wanting to give the horn a try for years as my mum plays.

"I was getting a bit fed up with the cornet and was getting terrible headaches with it so my mum suggested trying it and I really took to it."

In her audition for the conservatoire, Andrea played Nocturno by Franz Strauss and Variations on a Welsh Theme composed by Peter Kneale.

She also had to 'sight read' some music and play scales to win the coveted place, which will start in September next year.

The talented musician is principal horn with Riverside Youth Band and also plays with Brass Sounds Inverclyde, the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland, Inverclyde Schools Senior Wind Orchestra and Inverclyde Academy Concert Band.

Andrea has praised teacher Mark and the music department at Inverclyde Academy for all their help and support.

She added: "They have been wonderful in helping me develop. I love the thrill of being on stage and love how music can influence the emotions of people in the audience.

"I want to improve my musicality and become a better player - there is no better platform to do both than the Conservatoire."