WINNERS took the stage for the Mrs Sunderland Music Festival gala evening on Saturday at Huddersfield Town Hall.

The grand finale concert featured class winners from the week’s competition together with a few surprises.

Performing victory encores were Marsh Ladies Choir, who won the Kirklees Choir Section, piano solo winner Stephen Gott, treble vocal trophy winner Rachel Crisp and treble piano champion Lydia Watt.

Other winners who performed included Opus 44, Abbey Singers, Colne Valley Male Voice Choir and Shakespeare and speech champion Brittany Martin.

A final showdown between the choir prize-winners of the week saw Choros Amici crowned champion of champions.

Back by popular demand were The Bulava Chorus – a national choir of Ukrainian heritage led by professional opera singer Pavlo Hunka.

While failing to make the podium in the small choir category, the choir impressed with its songs performed in the Ukrainian language.

First soprano Natalka Hunka said: “This is the first competition we’ve done and we were overwhelmed to be asked to come back even though we didn’t win.”

Kirklees Mayor Clr Karam Hussain was there to present trophies at the event compered by Gordon Stewart.

On Friday night the contest received an audience of over 1,000.

And with over 30 choirs competing it was the biggest event in the history of Mrs Sunderland.

Chairman Michael Hampshire, who has sat on the Mrs Sunderland committee for 26 years, said: “So far it’s one of the best we’ve had.

“We’ve had good numbers and entries especially from the choirs; they’ve been fantastic.

“We’ve had more choirs than we’ve ever had before. Adjudicators have said it’s the best standard.

“I hope Mrs Sunderland will still be going in another 120 years. After all, it’s going strong after 120 years.

“There are lots of new helpers which is very refreshing and there’s been a great atmosphere.”

General Secretary Elaine Lee added: “I think Mrs Sunderland is in a very healthy state and judging from the entries this year I can see it flourishing”.

Solo Instrumentalists’ Challenge: 1 Helen Clavering, 2 Stephen Gott.

Instrumental Ensemble: 1 Greenhead College, 2 Saddleworth School’s Brass Ensemble, 3 Greenhead College’s Brass Quintet.

Orchestra Under 21: 1 Kirklees Music School’s String Orchestra, 2 Meltham Church of England School String Orchestra.

Wind Band Under 21: 1 Saddleworth School Concert Band.

Brass Band Under 21: Scissett Youth Band.

Young People’s Choir Under 8: 1 Lindley Junior School Choir, 2 Rastrick High Junior Choir, 3 Oulder Hill Years 7 and 8 Choir.

Junior School Choir – hymns or sacred songs:1 Lindley Junior School Choir, 2 Wakefield Girls Junior Choir, 3 Junior QEGS Choir.

Junior School Choir: 1 Lindley Junior School Choir, 2 Wakefield Girls’ Junior Choir, 3= Junior QEGS Choir and Lindley Junior School Training Choir.

Young Peoples’ Choir Under 19: 1 Huddersfield Young Singers, 2 Rastrick High School Senior Choir, 3=City of Leeds Youth and Huddersfield Choral Society Junior Choir.

Small Vocal Ensemble: 1 Abbey Singers Kevin Haighton, 2 Cantores 8, 3 Kes Cantores.

Small Choir: 1 Abbeydale Singers, 2 Cantores Novae, 3 Opus 44.

Ladies Choir: Opus 44, 2 Cantores Novae, 3 Rodillian Singers.

Male Voice Choir: 1 Colne Valley Male Voice Choir.

Mixed Voice Choir: 1 Choros Amici, 2 Oldham Youth Choir.

Kirklees Choir Section: 1= Marsh Ladies Choir and Colne Valley Male Voice Choir, 2 Colne Valley Male Voice Choir, 3 HCS Youth Choir.

Choir Programme: 1 Choros Amici, 2 Cantores Novae, 3 Opus 44.

Choir Prize Winners’ Challenge: 1 Choros Amici, 2 Opus 44, 3 Abbeydale Singers.