SHE may have narrowly missed out on becoming Young Musician of the Year, but former student of The Purcell School of Music, Ms Sarah Williamson, will be soon jetting off to Berlin to represent Britain in the competition's European finals this summer.

Young clarinetist Ms Williamson who now lives in East Barnet, lost out to Jennifer Pike in the final held at the Barbican last Sunday.

But she secured the place in Berlin in June because the rules specified that Jennifer, at the age 12, was too young to perform.

Currently a student of the prestigious Le Conservatoire National Superieur de Musique in Paris, Ms Williamson was delighted to be among the five finalists selected from the UK (from each instrumental category).

The former student of the music school in Aldenham Road, Bushey, said: "Music's not about winning, it's about enjoyment.

"Jennifer won and that's great, but it's also great for me too, as it gave me a platform.

"I was shocked to even be in the final and I just think it's luck that I got there."

The final in which Ms Williamson played Aaron Copland's Clarinet Concerto was televised on BBC2.

The talented musician, who currently practises for six to eight hours every day said: "It was amazing to be able to play with the BBC Symphony Orchestra. It was like a dream."

Her father, Mr Paul Williamson was very proud.

He said: "She played fant- astically, she couldn't have played better, everybody has phoned up to say so."

June 17, 2002 12:30