Young flautist hits the right notes with judges

An 11-year-old flautist is following in the foot steps of his father and grandfather after wowing judges in the recent ‘Primary School Musician of the Year’ awards.
Jake HoustonJake Houston
Jake Houston

Jake Houston won the prestigious competition, run by The Rotary Club of North Down, where he beat over 100 entries.

This number was narrowed down to 15 finalists after four days of heats, before Jake was eventually crowned the winner.

Taught by his father, Glen, who established the Lisburn Flute Orchestra, and Manchester based flute professional, Stephen Clark, the Ahoghil school boy has been playing the flute since he was six-years-old.

This year Jake has also been performing with The National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain alongside his brother, Ross Houston.

Jake’s grandfather Brian who has been teaching the flute for over 50 years in Lisburn is delighted with his grandson’s success. He said: ”I am over the moon for Jake. I am very proud of him and his brother Ross. They work so hard and they are very talented.”

Another of Brian’s grandson’s Gareth Houston, Jake’s cousin, is in his final year at the at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama,

Jake and Ross’s next concert will be in the grand ‘Colston Hall’ in Bristol this month.

Being a keen pianist and guitarist, Jake continues his flute studies with many of the UK’s most professional and top flautists, and is looking forward to joining the orchestra and other musical groups when he moves to his new school, Cambridge House in September.

He will be partaking in ‘The Big Flute Challenge’ event at The Kings Hall on the September 13, where the world record for The Worlds Biggest Flute Ensemble will be taking place.

This Saturday is Big Flute Challenge awareness day and some flautists will be playing at Dobbies from 9:30pm to 12:30pm and Bow Street outside B&M from 1pm. Representatives from the charities Marie Curie and Children’s Hospice will also be present.

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