THE Bishops Castle Community College Friends welcome a former pupil of the school who is now a professional baroque violinist returning to play a concert in the college hall tonight (Friday, June 28).

Conor Gricmanis will be there at 7.30pm to play a programme of concertos by Vivaldi, joined by his friends from the musical ensemble Noxwode.

His last visit to Bishops Castle was in 2018 when the audience in the town hall delighted in his virtuosity and charm.

In his final year at Bishops Castle Conor was deputy head boy, before going on to train at the Royal Academy of Music.

He graduated in July 2018 and is now a Christopher Hogwood Scholar at the academy studying under Bojan Cicic, leader of the Academy of Ancient Music.

He has performed in many famous venues and festivals such as the Wigmore Hall, St James’ Picadilly, Buckingham Palace and St Martin in the Fields and has toured internationally.

At tonight’s concert Conor will be joined by Gillian Dainty, who used to be a music teacher at the Community College when Conor started, and who he describes as “an inspiration and an amazing cellist”.

During the afternoon, current students will have a chance to meet Conor when he will be giving an inspirational talk ‘From High School Music Clubs to International Musician’ giving an insight into the journey of his carer.

“Bishops Castle was the most inspiring platform for me to kickstart my career and I would like to share that experience with current students,” said Conor.

Tickets for the evening cost £10, £8.50 for pensioners and £5 for students. Drovers Travel in Church Street and the school reception desk have them for sale. Summer drinks and canapés will be served in aid of PTA funds.