The annual Young Musician of the Year competition was held at Christ Church in the town centre on 6th February in the presence of the mayor, Cllr Tina Liddington.

Eight very talented young performers competed for the title this year: Emanuel Bach (violin), Alexander Campbell (piano), Lucy Coe (oboe), Emily Davis (violin), Michael Dockerty (trumpet), Colin Li (piano), Jane Salmon (trombone) and Susanna Salmon (French horn). The musicianship and technical mastery displayed was of the very high standard which this event always displays and the adjudicator, William Bruce, was faced with a very difficult choice. After commending them on their performances, he named the winner as Emily Davis, with Colin Li and Emmanuel Bach in second and third places. The festival's summer school prize was shared between Emily Davis and Emmanuel Bach.

The audience also enjoyed a short recital by Alexandra Edwards who received her award as the Most Promising Young Singer of the Year, and performances by the two Junior Musicians of the Year, Amber Li (piano) and Emilia Pickering (cello). This is the first year that these awards have been made.

Photographs of the presentations can be obtained by going to Anthony Charters's website: http://www.acphoto.me.uk/