THE Mrs Sunderland Music Festival was first held in April, 1889, as a tribute to Brighouse-born singer Susan Sunderland.
The famous soprano soloist - and founding member of the Huddersfield Choral Society - was born in 1819.
Her talent for singing was discovered by local blacksmith Luke Settle, who was himself a singer and he trained her.
Mrs Sunderland, née Sykes, first sang in public in 1833, at a local concert. She went on to perform across the region. As the railway network expanded she travelled the country.
Her accolade, the Yorkshire Queen of Song, was given to her after she sang for Queen Victoria.
The queen is reported to have told her: "I may be the Queen of England but you are the Queen of Song." Mrs Sunderland also sang before Queen Victoria at the opening of Leeds Town Hall.
Susan married farmer and butcher Henry Sunderland in 1838 and had six children.
After retiring from the concert platform aged 45 she celebrated her golden wedding in 1888 with a special concert. The money raised from the event paid for a vocal solo competition to be started in her name.
The first Mrs Sunderland festival was held in April, 1889, with 37 competitors - 27 women singers and 10 pianists - and Mrs Sunderland presented the prizes
The festival has taken place every year since - except in 1940, the first year of the Second World War.
Mrs Sunderland died aged 86 on May 7, 1905, but the festival has continued to grow. The 2005 festival attracted more than 1,150 entrants in 144 classes.
