Top pianist Ian Buckle praises best ever string class

Feb 25 2010 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

A TOP class pianist has praised a class of Mrs Sunderland competitors as the best he’s ever played for.

Of the string solo open class yesterday, Ian Buckle, who plays with the Liverpool Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, said: “I was moved by some extremely thrilling playing. It’s the single highest standard class I’ve ever played for.”

Mr Buckle, a freelance pianist who has performed on BBC TV and radio, was accompanying the class at the festival at Huddersfield Town Hall yesterday.

The class was won by Katrina Lee, of Birchencliffe, but chairman of the Mrs Sunderland committee Michael Hampshire added all five contestants were outstanding and could have won the section.

Yesterday was a day of solos with contests in piano, brass, woodwind, classical guitar and strings.

Winning the woodwind solo (school year six and under) for the second year running was Olivia Sykes, 11, from Kirkheaton.

Olivia, who attends Kirkheaton Primary School, has been playing flute for four years and is already grade six.

She played ‘Berceuse’ by John McLeod to impress the judges.

Olivia said: “It’s quite a difficult piece to play. I’ve been practising it since before Christmas. I’m really pleased to have won today.

“I really enjoy playing and I’m not nervous when I play. I’m always relaxed. I’ll be back next year.”

Olivia’s mother Margaret, 41, added: “I really pleased for Olivia today. All the children played beautifully and it takes a lot of coverage to play there.”

Not content with playing one instrument per class, yesterday also featured a two instrument class with performances by Freya Smith, of Holmfirth, and Hannah Wharton, of Brockholes.