Peterborough Music Festival

On Saturday the curtain fell on the Peterborough Music Festival, after a week of music making by talented local young performers. The festival ended with a gala concert, at which eight advanced musicians took part in a competition to find the Peterborough Young Musician of the Year. This prestigious title was won by Emily Holt, a violinist, who impressed the judges with her performance of Haydn’s Concerto in G major. The runner up was Jessica Ward, who moved the judges and the audience with her expressive performance of two musical theatre songs. The other finalists were Char- lotte Bradley (recorder), Katie Marshall (singer), Victoria Davis (flute), Harvey Stephens-Dunn (trombone), Isobel Fovargue (piano) and Donovan Jackson (drums). Local choir Rhapsody UK ended the concert with a reprise of their outstanding competition performance. On Friday, the festival hosted the second “New Youth Music Showcase” in association with the Peterborough Music Hub. Nine local soloists and bands performed original music in front of Strictly Come Dancing singer Hayley Sanderson, who provided them with expert feedback and supportive advice. The winner was singer/ songwriter Chloe Lorentzen, who, in addition to winning a cash prize, was awarded a studio recording experience, with professional photography, courtesy of Breve Music. Two runners up, Black Vinyl, a band comprising students from The Voyager Academy, and rapper Joel Chizhowezha also received cash prizes. This year saw a change of venue, as the annual festival, which started in 1925, moved from the town hall to the Key Theatre. Organizer Shirley Hallam added “There is so much musical talent in Peterborough, and it was lovely to bring it together in one place.”

John Clare School, Helpston choir .

Hampton Vale Primary School choir.

Young Musician of the Year Emily Holt.

Isabel Jackson, 12, of The King’s School, was awarded a Merit for her playing of the classic Somewhere Over the Rainbow in the Grade Three violin strings class .