Talented young cornet player Laura Conway, a student at the award winning Wardle Academy, is set to join a prestigious one-year specialist brass band course at Manger Folkehogskule in Norway.

Laura applied for a place at the school after meeting the current course students when the Norwegians visited Wardle Academy in April. Much to her delight, within two days she had received an offer to start in September.

Couldn't miss

Laura, who has just completed her A-levels at Rochdale Sixth Form College, told 4BR: "I was planning on going to university in September but I have deferred my place for one year as I simply couldn't turn down this offer."

Set in a beautiful fjord just an hour outside Bergen, the Manger Folkehogskule offers 20 hours of music tuition each week as well as lessons in conducting, composition and specialist tutors alongside a wide range of non-musical opportunities.

I was planning on going to university in September but I have deferred my place for one year as I simply couldn't turn down this offerLaura Conway

August flight

Laura, who is currently the principal cornet of the Wardle Academy Youth Band and Wardle Anderson Band has also been offered a position with the Manger Mussikklag Band, and will fly out in August.

She added: "I would like to thank my uncle, Lee Rigg, conductor of Wardle Academy Youth Band, who has given my so many fantastic opportunities to perform at prestigious events and to help the band win National and European titles.

I would also like to thank my family and friends who have always supported and encouraged me to perform and to the Wardle Academy Band Association for their continued support and fundraising."