PERFORMERS hit the right notes with audiences as the first weekend of the 123rd Mrs Sunderland Music Festival kicked off with the singing classes.

Vocalists of all ages from Huddersfield and beyond flocked to Huddersfield Town Hall to perform in styles ranging from opera to musical theatre.

Organisers praised the talent on show and said that this year’s festival looks set to be the most varied yet with the introduction of new classes and workshops.

Festival administrator Rosalind Watt said: “It’s going very well and there’s been a very high standard of singing from both the youngsters and the adults.

“We’ve had a lot of performers coming from outside the town and we always welcome them. We have also welcomed a lot of new people as well as familiar faces back again.

“We are so lucky with the venue. We’ve got a wonderful set of adjudicators, some superb accompanists and a group of very dedicated helpers.

“This year we have added some new classes. We’ve got short story writing and some 700 children coming in for a singing workshop so there’s a lot of variety.”

One of the highlights of Saturday’s programme was the junior music theatre class held in the concert hall.

Adjudicator Andrea Calladine praised the ‘excellent’ singing in the category.

She named the winner as Lydia Bradd from Halifax, who impressed with her acting skills when she performed Can You Find It In Your Heart? from the musical Footloose.

Mrs Calladine described the 15-year-old’s performance as “polished and mature.’’

Lydia has been a regular at the festival since the age of seven and placed every year, last year winning the Louise Hinchliffe Trophy for the most promising performer.

The Harrogate Ladies’ College pupil has ambitions to perform on the West End stage.

“It’s a brilliant atmosphere here and it feels absolutely amazing to have won a trophy,’’ she said.

“I love acting and that’s why I picked my song because it had that too – I felt like I was giving the audience the whole package. I want to be on stage and hope to go to college and train.”

The festival continues today with the piano and speech classes.

FESTIVAL RESULTS

Operatic Solo – 18 years and over: 1 Richard Buxton, Huddersfield, 2 Andrew Heighton, Chesterfield, 3 Laura Woods, Burnley

English Song Solo – open: 1 Helen Briggs, Wakefield, 2 Richard Buxton, Huddersfield

Junior Music Theatre – school years 12 and 13: 1 Sarah Taylor, Huddersfield, 2 Courtney George, Georgie School, 3 Ryan Hall, Manchester

German Lieder – 18 years and over: 1 Helen Briggs, Wakefield, 2 Pravi Popoff, Leeds, 3 Katie Hainbach, Manchester.

Unaccompanied Folk Song – school year 9 and under: 1 Gabriel Hinchliffe, Hade Edge, 2 Hannah Thompson, Lindley, 3 Megan Rose Dobbins, Lindley, and Catie Sambrook, Meltham

Unaccompanied Folk Song – school years 10, 11, 12 and 13: 1 Anise Carswell, Holmes Chapel, 2 Emily Peace, Penistone, 3 Verity Mitchell, Huddersfield.

Girls Solo – school years 12 and 13: 1 Anise Carswell, Holmes Chapel, 2 Verity Mitchell, Huddersfield

Oratorio Solo – 18 years and over: Helen Briggs, Wakefield, 2 Pravi Popoff, Leeds, 3 Kath Ireland, Peterlee.

French Solo – 18 years and under: 1 Helen Briggs, Wakefield, 2 Rebecca Godley, Liverpool, 3 Laura Woods, Burnley

Girls Solo – school years 10 and 11: 1 Emily Peace, Penistone, 2 Danielle Rowley, Halifax, 3 Mille Ann Crowther, Grange Moor

Young Mens Solo – school year 13 and under: 1 Tom Ramsay, Wyke, 2 Andrew Featherstone, Clifton

Vocal Duet – open: 1 Jessica Davidson, Chesterfield, 2 Lynsey Scott, Chesterfield, 3 Emilia Stanhope, Lindley, and Georgina Westwood, Honley

Boys Solo – unbroken voice: 1 Gabriel Hinchliffe, Hade Edge, 2 Philip Schweidler, Huddersfield, 3 Thomas Morton, Chesterfield

Tenor Solo – 18 years and over: 1 Richard Buxton, Huddersfield, 2 Malcolm Buncher, Leeds, 3 Ernesto Correa, Sheffield

Baritone/ Bass Solo – 18 years and over: 1 Andrew Heighton, Chesterfield, 2 Samuel Jackson, Holmes Chapel, 3 David Wood, Barnsley

British Composer Solo – 18 years and over: 1 Helen Briggs, Wakefield, 2 Cath Ireland, Peterlee, 3 Richard Buxton, Huddersfield

Soprano Solo – 18 years and over: 1 Helen Briggs, Wakefield, 2 Rosie Williamson, Sheffield, 3 Rebecca Godley, Liverpool

Mezzo/Alto Solo – 18 years and over: 1 Kath Ireland, Peterlee, 2 Katie Wood, Huddersfield

Light Opera Solo – open: 1 Matthew Stevens-Woodhead, Penistone, 2 Rebecca Godley, Liverpool, 3 Gerald Woollin, Ilkley

Girls Solo – school years 7, 8 and 9: 1 Megan Rose Dobbins, Lindley, 2 Hannah Thomson, Lindley, 3 Charlotte Town, Huddersfield, and Catie Sambrook, Meltham

Young Singers’ English Song – school year 13 and under: 1 David Lewis, Sheffield, 2 Catie Sambrook, Meltham, 3 Mhairi MacBean, Leeds

Junior Music Theatre – school year 10 and 11: 1 Lydia Bradd, Halifax, 2 Tom Ramsay, Wyke, and Emily Peace, Penistone, 3 Hannah Wharton, Brockholes, Rebecca Carr, Rastrick High School and Hayley Diamond, Hade Edge