WITH the South Cumbria Musical Festival now in full swing, Ulverston's Coronation Hall has played host to three days of exceptional performances. The Westmorland Gazette recaps the results and celebrates the achievements of those who have taken part so far.

THE first three days of the South Cumbria Musical Festival have put the spotlight on the county's talent with a high standard set from the off.

Taking place in Ulverston's Coronation Hall, the 2017 festival opened with brass day and welcomed first time adjudicator Rob Richardson.

During the day, there was brass solos, duets and ensembles in both age restricted and open classes.

SCMF chairman, Keith Butcher, said that the festival got off to a 'great start' with some 'exceptional brass playing'.

Junior Brass Bands included Holborn Hill Royal Brass Band - Schools Section, Barrow Shipyard Junior Band, Dalton Town Training Band, and St. Pius X Brass Band.

In the evening, audiences were entertained by Dalton Town Band, Holborn Hill Royal Brass Band Juniors and Ulverston Town Band. The standard of play was said to be good throughout the day with several competitors giving performances which were rated as outstanding.

In the Junior classes Tess Cullen from Millom was awarded the Kimberly-Clark Shield and Bursary of £100 for a promising young brass competitor; the Robert J Lacey Memorial Award for a promising young brass competitor was awarded to Sean Kerr from Grange-over-Sands and Catherine Clarke from Millom was awarded the Dr. Fred Yeadon Cup and Bursary.

Mr Richardson was very complimentary of the standard of playing and was impressed by the good attendance in the Junior ensemble classes.

However, he also stressed the importance of participating in the solo classes, which would give the confidence to perform as an individual as well as part of a group and broaden their capabilities.

Monday (April 3) was Speech day, with Steven Owen, acting as adjudicator, suitably impressed by the standard of performance.

Classes included poetry, prepared reading, Bible reading and acted dramatisations.

Several competitors received ‘Commended’ for performances which were described as both technically and artistically convincing.

The Patrick Croskery Award for Meritorious speech was awarded to Tilly Greenall from Ulverston; the Barrow Soroptomists Shield and Bursary of £50 was awarded to Phoebe Lever from Barrow. and Fiona Manoharan from Barrrow was awarded the Julie Willis Bursary of £75.

Piano day took place on Tuesday (April 4), with James Kirby acting as adjudicator and a brand new piano hired especially for the occasion.

The morning saw younger players up to school year six taking part, with lots of promising performances heard and a good range of music covered.

Charlie Whalley, from Barrow, was awarded the Julie Wills Piano Bursary, and Rhiannon Michaela Shepherd from Ulverston received the Douglas Poulter Piano Bursary.

In the afternoon, players from school years seven upwards took to the stage and Olivia Smith from Farleton received a distinction for her rendition of Rigaudon by Prokofiev. Thomas Burrows from Burton-in-Kendal was awarded the Peter Gray Memorial Piano bursary for senior piano players.

The Martyn Tonge Rosebowl for a promising piano competitor was awarded to Olivia Smith from Farleton.

"We are looking forward to the rest of the week continuing the same high standard," Mr Butcher said. "As usual the festival will end with Gala Night. This year it will be held on Saturday, April 8, at 7.30pm, and once again promises to be a very entertaining evening, showcasing the Festival winners of the week together with local talent."

Tickets for the Gala Evening can be obtained from the festival office in the Coronation Hall or on 07773403686.