Daisy Coole was four years old when her music teacher first thrust a recorder into her hand and told her to play.

Ten years on she is an accomplished composer and musician in piano, flute, saxophone and classical guitar. This week Daisy accompanied a choir of more than 400 children at the Royal Albert Hall in the Camden Schools Music Festival.

The 14-year-old Hampstead comprehensive pupil attributes her love of music to David Joyner, her music teacher at Fitzjohn primary, who still gives her private piano lessons.

She said “It was tradition at the school that everyone played an instrument at whatever level. As infants we listened to performances from the juniors then performed ourselves as we got older.

“It all started in primary school but I suppose I did not stand out because everyone had to do music. At secondary school I was given the opportunity to push myself forward and take up new instruments.”

One of Daisy’s compositions, a song called Love, was performed by the school’s choir after she arranged it in three parts and provided piano accompaniment.

Her favourite instruments are the alto sax and flute, and she has ambitions of playing professionally in a jazz band. She already plays in various ensembles at school, with the Camden Youth Concert Band and the Camden Youth Jazz Band. She also attends Saturday sessions with the borough’s Youth Music Makers.

Daisy believes her abilities may not have emerged as early had it not been for the emphasis placed on music in her primary school.

“It is worrying that some children may now miss out because other subjects are considered more important. Music is for everyone and all pupils should be given an opportunity to see what they can do,” she added.

“One of the most important things that I have got out of it is making lots of friends and meeting people who have the same interest as me.”