A Westcliff piano virtuoso has beat off the competition to become the youngest semi-finalist in this year's BBC Young Musician of the Year competition.
Semi-finalist - virtuoso young pianist Benjamin Grosvenor Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL
Benjamin Grosvenor, of Galton Road, has already impressed the judges at contests across the country, winning both the Emmanuel Trophy and the European Piano Teachers' Association Trophy.
The 11-year-old also scooped the Southend Young Musician of the Year award before picking up the Essex Young Musician of the Year prize in June.
This week the young Westcliff High School for Boys student has been busy impressing judges north of the border - at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow.
Benjamin is one of just five keyboard players to have made it through to the semi-finals of the BBC contest.
Mother Rebecca, a music teacher herself, said: "We are very proud of Benjamin.
"The competition was very tough but he made it through to the last five - and he was the youngest person taking part. The next youngest was 14."
Published Wednesday December 17, 2003
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