VOCALISTS and vibrant rhythms opened the 118th Mrs Sunderland Music Festival in Huddersfield.

Competitors in the percussion and vocal classes displayed their talents to audiences and adjudicators over the weekend.

Festival spokesman David Hirst said the eight-day event had got off to a very successful start.

He added: "We have had some great music so far. It is once again a very good standard."

He said highlights of the weekend included the new African drumming percussion classes, which drew large attendance figures.

Also new this year was an African drumming workshop with percussionist Matthew Delaney.

Shelley drummer Jonathan Beevers triumphed twice in the percussion classes, which were held at the university.

Jonathan, 15, won both the Percussion Solo School Year 11 and under and the percussion solo open classes.

This means he will compete in the solo instrumentalist's challenge on Friday.

Holmfirth soprano Rachel Spencer also enjoyed great success.

Rachel, 17, won both the major vocal trophies of the competition on Saturday, The Huddersfield Choral Society Rose Bowl for Young Singers and The Samuel Firth Silver Rose Bowl.

It is thought to be the first time anyone has won both the youth and adult prizes.

She also won the soprano solo open class and the junior vocal recital 16-20 class yesterday.

Rachel said: "I am in a state of shock. It is the first singing competition I have ever won. I didn't expect any of this."

Rachel, who sings with the Great Britain National Youth Choir, has only been singing seriously for two years, with vocal coach Michael Hampshire.

He said: "She is a remarkable musician. She has outstanding potential. She is the youngest winner of the Samuel Firth Silver Rose Bowl.

"The standard was pretty high and she was up against some very experienced singers.

"The vocal classes have been excellent and it is nice to see lots of young singers coming along."

Rachel also has another string to her bow.

She is a talented violinist, having played the instrument since she was six.

She leads the Kirklees Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Kirklees School String Orchestra.

At the Mrs Sunderland last year she won the string open class and instrumental solo by Mozart class.

This year she is competing in the string open class and is also hoping for success in the Kirklees Young Musician of the Year contest on Friday.

Rachel, who also plays Grade 8 piano, is hoping for success, as this festival may be her last.

She is studying music, English and French at Greenhead College, but has already secured a place at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music in Glasgow.

She said: "I have been coming to the Mrs Sunderland since I was eight.

"This may be my last year because I will move away after college next year.

"But I will always try and come back."

Last year's Kirklees Young Musician of the Year, Sarah Ogden, also triumphed in the vocal classes.

She won the vocal recital 21 years and over class yesterday.

Sarah, 21, from Brockholes, sang a 12-minute recital of three songs to beat competition from seven other entrants.

The festival continues today with piano and speech classes.