SOWERBY Music has made two awards to young musicians from the area.

Peter Chase Awards, funded through the organisation's patron scheme, have gone to Oliver Baily, of Thirsk, who has started a fouryear BMus(Hons) in Performance course at the Royal Northern College of Music where his principal instrument is the violin.

Taught by Peter Maslin, co-leader of Opera North Orchestra, he played in all the major string ensembles at his school, with Yorchestra - York's holiday orchestra - and with Pro Corda North, where he led the orchestra as well as playing in its string quartet.

The other recipient is Robert Bark, of Sowerby, a former pupil of Thirsk School and Sixth Form College, who is studying classical saxophone at Birmingham Conservatoire. His extensive ensemble experience includes the National Youth Wind Ensemble, Doncaster Youth Swing Orchestra, North-East Regional Jazz Band and Harrogate Youth Jazz Orchestra. He will put the Peter Chase award money towards buying a concert quality instrument.

Details of the awards can be found on the website sowerbymusic.org.uk.