A PUPIL at Ampleforth College has become the establishment’s first student to pass the Associateship Diploma of the Royal College of Organists while still being at school.

Christopher Too began playing the organ while he was a chorister at Bridlington Priory before joining Ampleforth College on a music scholarship in 2013.

The exam entails a practical section - three contrasting pieces played at professional standard and a range of keyboard tests - two written exams of three hours each, and an aural perception paper.

Christopher can now append the letters ARCO after his name.

He is also the recipient of a scholarship from the Dr Martin Clarke Young Organist Scholarship Trust, a national scheme which supports young organists in their tuition and development.

His teacher, William Dore, who is the abbey organist at Ampleforth College, said: “Christopher has made remarkable progress in the last five years and it has been an absolute pleasure teaching him.

“Having passed all the grades with distinction, he is the first Ampleforth student to pass this difficult exam while still at school, as it is not normally attempted by organ students before university or music college.

“We are so proud of him and wish him every success in the future.”

Christopher has just successfully completed his A-levels and will now spend a year as an organ scholar at Gloucester Cathedral, where he will be involved with a professional choir on a daily basis and with the Three Choirs Festival.

He hopes to study music on an organ scholarship at university next year.