Family making music

AUSTINMER flautist Charlotte Gibbs wowed judges recently at the City of Wollongong Eisteddfod.

She won the top prize in the under 12s and 12 years championship and placing third in the under 14s.

With a passion for jazz and a truckload of commitment Charlotte, who is on a music scholarship at The Illawarra Grammar School, has progressed to Sixth Grade competency in just five years.

Charlotte said that while playing the flute was fun, it also meant a lot of practice " about an hour every day.

"It's fun and you meet lots of people and it's hard work too " I love playing jazz," she said.

Although neither of Charlotte's parents play an instrument, they have encouraged each of their children to take something up " and now have enough for a small ensemble within their household.

Sophie Gibbs, 14, plays classical guitar, Sam, 11, plays trumpet, Noah, 8, also plays classical guitar and Luca, 5, plays piano and violin.

Ms Gibbs said she and her husband liked having their children play because they were both music lovers.

"My husband is a mad collector of CDs " he's got between two and three thousand CDs in his collection (and) my mum plays the piano," Ms Gibbs said.

Charlotte is part of the Bluescope Steel Youth Orchestra and the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music Junior Flute Ensemble.