THE Keldwyth Cumbrian Young Musicians awards held its 38th preliminary round in St Ann’s Church despite last year’s competition cancellation.

Taking place in Ings, the competition was founded by Reg Griffiths and the Keldwyth Singers.

Eleven young musicians between the ages of 16 and 22, born and or educated in Cumbria, entered the competition.

Of these four would be selected to appear in the final at the end of August.

The three judges presiding over the competition were chairman Geoffrey Field, the present director of Kendal South Choir, Linda Walker who plays in orchestras across the North of England and Ian Jones, the choral director of Levens and Eversley choirs as well as the Cumbria Festival Chorus.

Each musician was required to perform a 15-minute programme of works of their own choosing.

David Battersby and Alex Phillips-Yeats were the official accompanists

Singer Susie Duxbury from Arkholme, a former pupil of QE School, Kirkby Lonsdale, and a graduate of York University, was successfully in winning through to the final with a programme of songs from the musical theatre. She will be joined Jessica Harper from High Hesket who recently graduated from Kings College, London and sang a selection of operatic and classical music.

Lanercost resident Bertram Nicholson, currently studying at Chethams School of Music, played a series of four varied pieces on the viola to move on to the next stage.

He and the two other successful competitors will be joined by singer Sam Weakley who comes from High Brigham and is currently a student at the Royal Northern College of Music.

The award for best newcomer, along with the prize money of £100, was made to singer Andrew Woodmass-Calvert from Gilsland.

The final will be held on August 27 in the Victoria Hall, Grange-over-Sands.

The winner will be chosen by a panel of three different judges and will receive £1,000 and the Reg Griffiths Trophy. The runner-up receives £500 and the Geoffrey Blake Trophy.

The other two finalists in the contest will each receive a cheque for £250.

The tickets are available online at www.keldwyth.org.uk