TWO musical prodigies will be returning to Tynedale to perform for audiences.

As part of their two-part performance Tynedale Orchestra has invited Hexham young violinists Rebecca and Brendan Howell to play a rendition of the ‘Bach Double’, and join the orchestra in their performance of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite and Symphony No 5 this month.

As children, the siblings were already making headlines in the Hexham Courant for their musical talent, after they won the under 11 and under 9 categories in the string finals of the Tynedale Music Festival, and have since gone on to perform on national and international stages.

Currently based in Manchester, Rebecca trained with her brother under Julia Jasinsky.

She then went on to read music at Durham University, where she won the university’s soloist’s prize and concerto competition – the prize of which was a tour to Paris where she performed French composer Charles-Camille Saint-Saëns’ Violin Concerto No.3.

After graduating in 2016, Rebecca has continued to rise in the classical music world. She took up a place at the highly competitive Royal Northern College of Music, where she won the salon prize in December 2016, and got to collaborate with Hallé Orchestra and the Chamber Orchestra of Europe. Two of her biggest achievements, however, were leading the college Baroque Orchestra, and playing principal second violin for String Orchestra in Montepulciano, Italy.

Music still plays a prominent part in Rebecca’s life, as she splits her time working for Chethams School of Music, Yorkshire Young Musicians and undertaking cover teaching at RNCM’s junior department.

“I always look forward to returning to Hexham, whether it be for musical projects, or just to spend time with my family.

“I’m really looking forward to playing with Tynedale Orchestra, especially because its close to home and alongside my brother,” said Rebecca.

Brendan’s life is equally as encompassed in music as his sister’s. After completing a undergraduate degree in music at the University of York, he has now gone on to studying a masters at the Royal Northern College of Music, focusing on violin.

He has previously performed solo with the University of York Chamber Orchestra, and led the University Symphony and Chamber orchestras and the University Baroque Ensemble.

Chamber music is a particular enjoyment for Brendan, and his passion meant that he was the first violinist for the Eboracum Quartet at York University.

Brendan is no stranger to performing in his hometown and has played previously in the Hexham Abbey concert series, and performed as a singer with the men’s choir at Hexham Abbey where he was formerly head chorister.

Tynedale Orchestra’s November performance will take place on Saturday, November 30 at Corbridge Middle School at 7.30pm.