A TALENTED youngster hit the right note with judges to secure a place at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Bass trombone player Mark Gammon will join the junior conservatoire after impressing an audition panel at the prestigious institution, which welcomes the finest young talent across the performing and production arts.

The 17-year-old Port Glasgow High School pupil hopes to attend the senior Royal Conservatoire after the coronavirus pandemic is brought under control.

He told the Tele: “I was so excited when I finally heard the news.

"Results were delayed because of COVID-19 but it was an amazing feeling to find out I had got into the Junior Conservatoire.”

For the past two years, Mark has been taught by Mark Good at Inverclyde Music Centre.

Mr Good has also been his musical director at Riverside Youth Band for several years, during which he has received opportunities to perform on stages like Perth Concert Hall and Glasgow’s City Halls, winning the Scottish Youth Championships on multiple occasions.

Mark also enjoys the expert guidance of his school's music teacher Julie Ballantyne.

Mark, from Kilmacolm, is a member of the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland and the West of Scotland Schools Symphony Orchestra.

He has also played with the West of Scotland Schools Concert Band, the Inverclyde Schools Wind Orchestra and is a member of Renfrew Burgh Band.

He has enjoyed a string of solo successes and is a former West of Scotland solo champion and runner-up in the Inverclyde heat of the Rotary Club’s Young Musician of the Year contest.

He is a two-time solo champion at Inverclyde Music Festival.

Mark added: “I’m really grateful to everyone who has helped me get to this stage.

"Without Riverside, I wouldn’t be here as the music we play has pushed my playing.

"Mr Good has encouraged me to take part in solo competitions at every opportunity and that has stood me in good stead.”

His proud mum Jennifer Docherty says she is 'delighted' for her son.

She said: "He has worked so hard to reach this stage.

"Hopefully, it gives him the chance to take his trombone playing to the next level and he can fulfil his ambition of becoming a professional musician.”

Mr Good believes Mark can go right to the top.

He said: “He has embraced every opportunity which has come his way and it has been a pleasure to see him develop into the musician and young man that he is today.

"I know he will continue to flourish at this extremely exciting stage of his musical career.”