Talented Ashley Grote has won a place in the keyboard final of the BBC Young Musician of the Year Competition - the first-ever organist to have done so.
The 17-year-old, from Daisy Green, Lexden Heath, will compete in the prestigious event on Monday, February 21. All the other competitors play the piano.
He said: "I am extremely excited. It is definitely a wonderful opportunity especially as there has been no one playing the organ in the finals before. Hopefully, it will raise the profile of the organ."
It is set to be shown on BBC 2 in May.
Ashley's career was launched in 1989 when his parents answered an advertisment in the Essex County Standard for voice trials at King's College, Cambridge.
He left King's College after his voice broke and is currently a pupil at Uppingham School in Rutland.
He was awarded a scholarship to the college and has since won many competitions, including first prize in the 1999 Royal College of Organists Young Performers' Festival.
He left King's College after his voice broke and is currently a pupil at Uppingham School in Rutland.
He is set to return to the Cambridge college in October 2001 after winning an organ scholarship.
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