A FORMER German national young musician of the year has added the title of Maidstone and Mid Kent young musician of 2002 to her name.

Viola Wilmsen, 17, from Bonn, fought off competition from seven other young performers at the competition final at the Corn Exchange in Maidstone. Viola, who is spending two terms in England at Sutton Valence School, near Maidstone, won the German national Young Musician of the Year competition in 2000.

The judges praised the expressiveness and virtuosity of her performance of Bellini's Concerto for Oboe and Mendelssohn's Rondo Capriccioso. Her parents travelled over from Bonn to see their daughter win the competition.

Viola, who is also a singer and drummer in a pop band in her native Germany, said: "I am very pleased. I perform a lot but I was still nervous."She has also won regional competitions in Germany on piano and trumpet.

Pianist Edward Cohen, 16, of Tonbridge School, was highly commended by the judges for his rendition of pieces by Debussy and Ginastera.

Judge and Kent Music School director, Graham Standley, said: "I thought they were all great ambassadors for the upcoming generation of musicians in the UK. Standards are continually rising and it was good to see a wide range of styles and genres represented."

The concert, organised by the Rotary Clubs of Maidstone and Maidstone Riverside, also included a performance by last year's winner, Indian drummer Eason Kumarsingham with his sister Uma and the North Kent Jazz Orchestra.