Flautist Rachel prepares Shania number for talent final

4:40pm Monday 8th September 2008

RACHEL Illsley will have to conquer more than just the judges when she plays her flute in the Swindon Talent 08 final.

For the 49-year-old flautist only just managed to overcome her lack of confidence when winning the Caribbean Carnival heat of the competition.

“I am nervous,” said Rachel, of Coleview.

“I have not really had a lot of confidence and it was my husband Gary who encouraged me to enter.

“I’ve played the flute for a number of years on and off, but I’ve only really taken it up again this year.

“I just need to prove to myself I can do it.”

Rachel won her place in the final after performing Goodbye Yellow Brick Road to earn the over 18s heat title.

But she has opted for a different track in her bid to wow the judges once more.

“I will be playing From This Moment On by Shania Twain,” she said. “I actually played it at a friend’s wedding and it was very beautiful so I thought it would be nice to play it in the final.”

The grand final of Swindon Talent 08 is at the Arts Centre in Devizes Road at 7pm on Saturday, September 20.

Tickets are £7.50 (£5 concessions) from the box office on 01793 614837. To see videos of all the finalists visit www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/talent08.