Trust success at music festival

Talented young performers from Trust schools have enjoyed success at the annual South Cumbria Music Festival

Pupils from Cambridge Primary School and Chetwynde School scooped an array of prizes for music, speech and performance.

Both choirs from Cambridge School topped their classes with the infant choir securing 83 and the junior choir scoring 84 – both building on last year’s wins in the event at the Coronation Hall in Ulverston.

At Chetwynde School pupils celebrated success across a wide range of categories.

Lily Beth Steele Hock achieved first place in the Piano Solo class for Years 10–12, as well as winning both the SCMF Cup for Poetry and the Bill Shaw Helvellyn Cup for Acting in the Years 10–13 section. Rishan Das gained first place and two second places in Brass Solo classes for Years 7–9, while Dylan Meacock earned two third places in Piano Solos and a second place in Duets. Harrison Rudd also performed strongly, gaining a first, a second and two third places for violin, along with a second and third place for piano.

In speech and drama, Alice Fitzsimmons won the Glen Meay Cup in the ‘Write and Recite’ class for Years 7–9, and Hannah Maguire won the Bronte Cup for her prepared reading of Matilda. Polly Robson also impressed the judges, scoring 83 out of 100 in the Years 7–9 Poetry class.

Younger pupils also enjoyed an excellent festival. Matylda Garbacz won her drama class, while Lucia Thornton achieved a first and a second place in piano. In the Years 4–6 piano class, Edward Roberts won first place, with Brook Li Yung and Arlo Meacock sharing third place. Betsy Parkinson, Archie Newton, Agatha Wrathall and Elijah Meacock also took part in the same class, competing at the festival for the first time.

Katherine Parkinson, Head of Creative Faculty at Chetwynde School, said: “It has been fantastic to see so many of our pupils take part in this year’s festival and perform to such a high standard.

“Their success reflects not only their talent, but also the dedication they have shown in rehearsals and lessons.

“Festivals like this provide invaluable experience, allowing pupils to perform in a professional venue and benefit from expert feedback, which helps them grow in confidence and continue developing their skills.”

Cambridge Primary School Headteacher Jenny Lavery congratulated the pupils and thanked the staff involved for their hard work in preparing them.

“Our pupils were thrilled to return to school with two first places, both with high commendations. They sang their hearts out and listened very carefully to all that Mrs Brown and the adjudicators had to say. We are incredibly proud of their enthusiasm and commitment to learning and performing.”

The South Cumbria Musical Festival was founded in 1976 and has grown over more than four decades into a highly respected and much-anticipated annual event, attracting competitors and audiences from across Cumbria and beyond. Known for its high standards, friendly atmosphere and excellent organisation, the festival gives performers the opportunity to appear on stage in a professional venue and receive constructive feedback from experienced adjudicators, many of whom are internationally recognised in their field.

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