YOUNG West Somerset musician Abi Owen has returned from the ‘trip of a lifetime’ to China with the National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain.
Abi, who is 13, plays the viola and became an orchestra member four years ago while a pupil of Minehead Middle School.
She now has a music scholarship to Queens College, Taunton, and has just been accepted for the Somerset County Youth Orchestra.
Her audition for the county orchestra was made all the more nerve wracking because it was after her viola had gone to China and she had to borrow another for the occasion.
Since coming home, Abi has also had to use her father’s viola because the Chinese authorities had not allowed the NCO’s instruments to be sent back.
She is the daughter of Jeanette and Steve Owen, of Glenmore Road, Minehead.
Mrs Owen, a freelance music teacher who gives woodwind lessons in local schools, said: “She had a wonderful time, it was absolutely amazing.
“They did four concerts and a little tour in between for their education. It was all very mind-expanding.
“It was the first time Abi had gone on an aeroplane, and now she wants to go to France with the county youth orchestra next summer.”
During the 10-day visit to the Orient, Abi also saw the famous Terracotta Warriors exhibition and the Great Wall of China.
- Our photograph shows Abi with some of the souvenirs she brought back from China. Photo by Mark the Photographer, ref M1108099. Order photo reprints online at www.tcpbymtp.co.uk.
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