A WORCESTER recorder ensemble beat competition from around the country to win a prize at Malvern's biennial Recorder Festival.

The quartet, known as Fipple Flutes, received a Yamaha bass recorder and a selection of ensemble music after winning the section for age 14 and under.

Rebecca Hardwick, a music scholar at the King's School, Fiona Rowe, of the Alice Ottley School, Jennifer Miles, of Nunnery Wood High School, and Beth Broadway, of Bishop Perowne High School, met as pupils of Red Hill Primary School.

With Lucy Allen, a

15-year-old pupil at Nunnery Wood, they have continued to play together under the tuition of Linda Hardwick, an instrumental music teacher in Worcestershire schools.

Lucy, whose age barred her from the ensemble competition, could only watch as the others performed last weekend.

The girls were able to attend a workshop with world-famous recorder virtuoso Piers Adams and meet other players from all over the country.

Rebecca is now attending an intensive week's training at St James's School, West Malvern, after winning a place in the National Youth Recorder Orchestra.

Hopefuls aged from 11 to 21 auditioned for the 70 places in the national orchestra, which performed at Birmingham Conservatoire last Wednesday evening.

Last week's course, organised by Colin Touchin, who is director of music at Warwick University, has included tuition from eminent recorder players.

The orchestra was to be recorded on CD, playing music studied during the week.