A MONMOUTH School pupil is off to greater things at the end of this academic year, as he begins studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London.

18-year-old Samuel Lowell Pierce has been accepted by an impressive five colleges across the UK. As well as his chosen venue, he was also accepted by The Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, the Royal Welsh College of Music in Cardiff, The Guildhall College of Music and Drama and The Royal College of Music in London.

Samuel, from Redbrook, has been playing the trumpet for the past 11 years and gained his Grade 8 exam two years ago. The pupil received scholarships to four of the institutions and was also the recipient of a Royal Forest of Dean bursary.

"I never really wanted to do anything else, I have no idea what I would be doing if I couldn't go on to play the trumpet," said Samuel, who plays with the National Youth Orchestra of Wales, the National Wind Orchestra and the National Jazz Orchestra. Samuel has even played for the Queen as part of her Diamond Jubilee tour last year.