North-East News
Michael rejects maths for music
10:59am Tuesday 7th September 2010
A TALENTED musician has been offered the chance to sing with a cathedral choir.
Michael Ash, 18, from Richmond, will spend a year singing at Hereford Cathedral after deciding to turn down a place to study maths at Oxford University in favour of studying music.
Michael recently completed his A-levels at Richmond School, where he gained two A*s and three As in maths, further maths, French, German and music.
As well as singing in several choirs around the area, Michael is also a skilled pianist and can play the trumpet and double bass.
He is also the organ scholar at St Mary’s parish church, Richmond, where he takes lessons and performs organ music for the congregation each week.
During his time at Hereford he will live with two other gap year choir members and perform traditional church music eight times a week, including three times on a Sunday.
“It sounds like quite a lot of singing but I’m sure I’ll manage,” he said.
“We get singing lessons while we are down there too, which will be great fun.
“I auditioned for the placement in January after I decided that maths was not for me any more, but I’ve been busy with exams since then so the time has flown by.
“I’m hoping to study music at Oxford next year. t I have to apply, so we’ll wait and see, but this is a good way to spend my year.”