ORCHESTRAS, ensembles, choirs and big bands battled it out as the Mrs Sunderland Music Festival continued.

Highlights include the Jazz and Big Band class where Queen Elizabeth Grammar School (QEGS), Wakefield, “Swing Foundation” went head-to-head with The Jazz Honkers from Hade Edge on Thursday night.

Despite an avant-garde mix of styles and instruments from QEGS, the somewhat quieter Honkers triumphed.

Mrs Sunderland chairman Michael Hampshire said: “It was a very interesting heat. QEGS were quite brilliant – loud and aggressive but very enjoyable.”

Impressing the judges on Thursday was Scissett Youth Band who secured pole position in the brass band for under 21s and the Meltham C of E School String Orchestra who came top in the orchestra under 21 section.

Mr Hampshire said: “They were very, very good – excellent. The quality overall was very high.“

Yesterday saw class winners compete in a champion of champions solo instrumentalists’ challenge. Sally Perkins from York took the top slot with her cello skills. Mr Hampshire said: “The playoff between the best was incredibly difficult. But Sally Perkin’s rendition of Elgar was quite stunning.”

Jamie Smith, of Huddersfield, emerged victorious in trumpet/cornet Solo for School Year 11 and Under, with his cornet performance.

Also flying the Huddersfield flag was Gregory Barker, of Fixby, whose clarinet solo won the woodwind or recorder Solo for school year 11 and under.

DRUMMER boys and girls won a top prize at the festival.

The pupils of Kirkburton Middle School were awarded first place in the African drumming section.

The group performed twice, their first was an example of call and response and the second was their interpretation of rhythms from a dance called kuku.

Joseph Cook, James Garlick, Ellie Adams, Chris Griffin, Ellen Morrell, Robert Morris, Bethany Pogson, Rupert Price, Katie Barrow, Jade Wood, Sophie Wood and Georgina Lane were all delighted with the win.