Festival a triumph again!

Byline: Anne-Marie Bradley ,

Performers praised for their skills - and beating bad weather

MRS Sunderland organisers are celebrating after Huddersfield's annual music festival was hailed a success for the 116th time.

As nine days of musical talent drew to a close organisers of the historic Mrs Sunderland Music Festival were triumphant as they recalled the excellent standard of people taking part this year.

Festival president Jessie Jameson said: "The standard has been so high - and seems to get higher every year. When you think they are all amateurs it is amazing what they have achieved.

"What was so surprising was the number of people who turned up despite the bad weather.

"It has been a real success once again."

More than 1,150 singers, choirs, instrumentalists and speakers from across the region took part in the contest - undeterred by heavy snowfall.

Lin Yang, 14, impressed judges in the piano classes.

The youngster, of Sale, Greater Manchester, won the open piano concerto, open piano solo and the solo instrumentalists' challenge.

Andrew Hawkett, 36, of Birkby, was rated "outstanding" and won both the Chopin and sonata open piano classes.

In the open strings solo class Holmfirth violinist Rachel Spencer came first and also won the two instruments class for musicians aged 17 and under.

Classical guitarist Andrew Uttley, of Birkby, came first in the open classical guitar solo and third in the instrumental ensemble, playing as part

of the Howells Quartet.

Slaithwaite youngster Helen Gledhill impressed judges with her cornet playing when she won the open brass solo class.

Flautist Daniel Bennett, 21, a music student at Huddersfield University, claimed first place in the open woodwind solo and went on to be second in the solo instrumentalists' challenge.

Drummer Thomas Merry, of Skelmanthorpe, won the open percussion solo class and Amy Whitwam, from Paddock, claimed the open recorder solo prize.

Kirsty Smith, of Honley, scooped prizes for the most promising young singer and the coveted Huddersfield Choral Society Rose Bowl.

Mezzo-soprano Sarah Ogden, 20, of Brockholes, came third in the open solo soprano class and went on to win the junior vocal recital.

Emma Peaurt, of Manchester, won the open soprano solo class.

Pianist Richard Uttley, 17, of Birkby, was named Kirklees Young Musician of the Year with Sarah Ogden as runner-up.

Christine Goodwin, of Thurlstone, Penistone, showed off her creativity in the poetry writers' session by being awarded the Henderson-Smith Cup as overall winner.