Music is his first love

MUSICAL youth . . . James Fitzsimons plays guitar, piano and French horn — and he sings as well

A TALENTED Oldham musician hit all the right notes at a music festival by winning four categories on three different instruments.

Manchester Grammar School pupil James Fitzsimons (11), from Uppermill, excelled at the Hazel Grove Musical Festival, taking first place in the classical guitar solo under-11s section, the classical guitar solo grades one and two category, brass instrument solo (French horn) under-14s section and the piano solo test piece under-12s section. He also finished third in the solo singing section for 11 and 12-year-olds!

All-rounder James said: “I have played the piano for about five and a half years, the guitar for about two and a half years, the French Horn for nine months and the organ since September. I was really pleased to win so many categories. I really love music.”

Success runs in the family: James’s younger brother Sam (9), also an MGS pupil, competes with James and together they won the piano duet class at the Haydn Wood Musical Festival.