Zoe Wright lands Norwegian Scholarship

Photo: Liz Henson Photography

Norway bound – Whitworth Community High School student Zoe Wright

Zoe Wright, a talented musician from Whitworth, has secured a scholarship in Norway.

Whitworth Community High School student Zoe, 16, already plays with three bands and was planning to study A levels at Rochdale Sixth Form College. 

By chance, she spotted an internet advert for tenor horn players to join the prestigious Manger Folkehogskule’s – a one year specialist brass band course in Norway.

The day after making a tentative enquiry to the music school, Zoe received the offer not only of a place but of a scholarship. She will be the solo horn player in the 70-strong band.

“It’s going to be an amazing experience,” said Zoe. “It’s a chance to spend the majority of my time for a year focusing on something I’m passionate about, and on something I most enjoy doing.”

As well as 20 hours music tuition each week, lessons in composition and conducting, and working with visiting specialist tutors, there will be a wide range of extra opportunities – from skiing to yoga and dance.

The band attracts top young musicians from across Europe as well as many ‘gap year’ musicians from Norway itself.

The music school is on an island, about an hour from Bergen, in a beautiful area near the fjords.

Her mum, Christine, said: “It’s a fabulous opportunity, and one that came out of the blue. You just can’t turn down an offer like this.”

On her return, Zoe intends to pick up her A level studies, and then hopes to study at the Royal Northern College of Music before becoming a music therapist.

She will spend some of her free time in Norway working with students with additional needs.
Before flying off on 7 September, Zoe has another important event to attend as she is playing with Leyland Brass Band at the British Open Brass Band Championships on 7 September at the Symphony Hall, Birmingham.

At Whitworth she achieved seven As in Music, English Literature, History, Maths, Religious Studies, Science and Additional Science, two Bs and a C.

She plays with Rochdale Youth Band, through Rochdale Music Centre, Leyland Brass Band and the National Youth Brass Band.