After only recently discovering their musical talents, two Clearwater Middle School students have passed with distinction an exam set by the Royal School of Music.

And nine of their schoolmates also passed the same Grade One theory examination with scores of at least 66 percent.

The students -- most of them had little or no musical background -- studied for six weeks, explained teacher Leroy Simmons.

He said: "Twelve students between M1 and M3 studied for the exam during school activity time.

"They focused on learning time signs, musical terminology and the names of notes.

"This is the first time that Clearwater Middle School has had children sit an exam of this standard.'' The Royal School of Music awards distinctions to students who achieve between 90 and 100 percent with passes granted to those with grades above 66 percent.

Teacher Karen Trott earned the school's highest score of 93 percent while students Jana Darrell and Kenten Trott came in close behind with 90 percent.

The nine students who attained pass grades were Tanyalynn Bailey, Kristen Darrell, Belaun Foggo, Antonia Foster, Murrika Furbert, Luvaughn Harris, Ashley Ross, Ralph Trott, and Dennika Warren.

Mr. Simmons added that the students will now aim to pass the Grade Two examination and will hopefully continue their musical studies by sitting for further exams set by the Royal School of Music.