A MULTI-TALENTED teenager has landed a coveted place to train to become a composer.

Connor Bristow, 16, a pupil at Port Glasgow High, has gained an unconditional place at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

The youngster writes his own music as well as playing piano, flute, bass guitar and saxophone.

Connor, who is from Greenock, said: "There's quite a lot of competition for the course.

"They only offer between four and six places a year.

"I had to send in my own compositions along with programme notes and I had a interview as well."

Connor is also a member of the West of Scotland Schools Concert Band and was one of four musicians to be selected to attend workshop sessions with Scottish composer Jay Capperauld.

The aim of the project is to encourage talented young musicians to develop creative skills and techniques.

Each student will compose a piece of music which will be performed and recorded in the summer by the band under the direction of conductor Nigel Boddice MBE.

Connor said: "It is a wonderful opportunity to be able to write pieces for musicians of that ability.

"I am an avid writer of music and I have my music here at school and my music teacher Miss Ballantyne played a piece at our annual concert."

Connor says that working with Jay has been a great opportunity and he is keen to make the most of it.

He said: "It was really good, we had an introductory workshop where he went through our individual pieces and told us what was good about them and then how we could improve them."

Connor's teacher Derek Hart encouraged him to apply.

Mr Hart said: "This is a brand new project and we are excited to be able to bring these young musicians together to develop their skills under the guidance and expertise of Jay Capperauld.

Jay is recognised as one of the most notable Scottish composers emerging at the moment and as a former member of WSSCB, he understands very well the challenges which our young musicians must overcome and the techniques they need to develop to become successful composers.

"We can't wait to hear the results later in the year."