TWO of Selkirk Silver Band’s youngest members have won places to further their musical careers at leading conservatoires.

Ryan Borthwick has been accepted to study for an honours degree in brass and cornet performance at the Northern College of Music in Manchester.

And Trinity Hill is to take an honours degree in composition at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow.

Although only 17, cornet player Ryan has been a member of Selkirk Silver Band for almost 10 years, and is grateful for all the help he has received along the way.

He singled out Selkirk Silver Band’s principal cornet player Colin Kemp for special praise.

“I couldn’t have got to this stage without the support and encouragement of Colin, who has guided me all the way,” said Ryan.

Eighteen-year-old Trinity has been playing cornet in the silver band for the past two years and in September will begin an honours degree in composition at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow.

“I began working on ideas at the piano a few years ago,” said Trinity, “and have composed an assortment of pieces for brass band and orchestra, as well as some duets and solos.

“I’m very excited about moving on to the next stage.”

Both Ryan and Trinity’s families are delighted by their achievements, and have musical talents of their own.

Ryan’s mother Jill has been a member of Selkirk Flute Band for 27 years, while Trinity’s sisters Amy and Sophie play the clarsach and accordion respectively.

Selkirk Silver Band’s chairman, Chris Highton, said the band’s members are delighted by the pair’s success.

“We’re definitely going to miss them,” said Chris, “but they have done incredibly well and everyone in the band wishes them every success in the future.”

Looking ahead, Ryan hopes to make a career out of teaching brass music, while Trinity is keen to travel the world and work professionally in different countries.

All of which will definitely be music to the ears of their Selkirk Silver Band colleagues.