A DURHAM schoolgirl has won a music award at a regional competition in Newcastle's Assembly Rooms.

Emily Devine, a year ten pupil at Durham High School for Girls had reached the finals of The Avison Ensemble 21st Anniversary 2006 competition.

And after performing Vivaldi's Violin Concerto in A Minor, she was awarded the Avison Ensemble Young Musician Award.

After the presentation, Emily said: "I was both surprised and pleased to be chosen out of the other finalists and have thoroughly enjoyed the experience.''

A second pupil from the school, Jordan Roseberry, who is in year nine, also hit a high note when she recently sang at a charity event for the Sunderland Foundation at the football club's Stadium of Light and found her performance attracting a famous admirer.

Jordan sang Someone Else's Story from the Sir Tim Rice musical Chess and sitting in the audience was the famous composer.

Jordan said: "I enjoyed the evening greatly and was flattered when Sir Tim commented that I had an amazing voice.

"It was a good experience to sing in front of someone so famous.''