A CELEBRATED music festival continued in style with polished performances from promising young pianists. 

Children and young people across south Cumbria headed to the Coronation Hall in Ulverston yesterday for the third installment of this year's South Cumbria Musical Festival. 

With a whole day dedicated to piano music, young musicians from across the area relished the opportunity to play the hall's hired Steinway Pianoforte. 

The morning featured performances from younger players from school year six and below with lots of promising performances being heard.

Edwin Hui, from Grange, was awarded the Julie Wills Piano Bursary, and Charlie Whalley received the Douglas Poulter Piano Bursary.

There was a range of music from all eras ranging from Bach through to the theme from Star Wars.

In the afternoon, players from school years 7 upwards took to the stage, and we had some very high marks, including several distinctions, and some ‘outstanding’ performances receiving marks of 90.

Again we had a wide range of genres, from baroque through to the 21st century.

Olivia Sheila Smith from Farleton was awarded the Peter Gray Memorial Piano bursary for senior piano players.

The day drew to a close as adult piano performers take to the stage.

Acclaimed violinist and pianist, Caroline Clemmow, acted as the day's adjudicator and described the day as "a wonderful event" that she really enjoyed.

She said: "It’s been a really friendly festival, with fantastic organisation behind the scenes which means it runs like clockwork."

Determined to encourage people of all ages to learn more about music, Ms Clemmow said: "I’d encourage all local musicians to come to the festival and have a go or come and listen – you can learn as much from listening, even if you’re not brave enough to have a go!"

Read more about this year's festival:  Singers steal the limelight at South Cumbria Musical Festival

South Cumbria Musical Festival hits all the right notes on day four

Brass performers put on a good show at South Cumbria Musical Festival

Drama day is a hit at south Cumbrian music festival

Class winners

Novice piano solo (up to and including school year three) – Idris Illingworth, Grange

Piano solo (up to and including school year three) – Edwin Hui, Grange

Piano solo (school years four to six inclusive) 20th and 21st century music – Edwin Hui, Grange

Novice piano solo (school years four to six inclusive) – Rosie Murray, Askam

Piano solo (school years four to six inclusive) Classical and Romantic – Edwin Hui, Grange

Piano solo (school years four to six inclusive) – Edwin Hui, Grange

Novice piano solo (school years seven to nine inclusive) – Ruairi France, Bootle


YOUNG PIANIST Connor O’Hara of Ulverston, who won the Burnsmead Shield Piano solo (school years seven to nine inclusive) – Connor O’Hara, Ulverston

Piano solo (school years seven to nine inclusive) Classical and Romantic – Lawrence Diffey, Grange

Piano solo (school years seven to nine inclusive) 20th and 21st century music – Connor O’Hara, Ulverston

Piano solo (school years seven to nine inclusive) – Edmund Hui, Grange

Novice piano solo (school years 10 to thirteen inclusive) – Ife Bamigboye, Barrow

Piano solo (school years 10 to13 inclusive) – Olivia Sheila Smith, Farleton

Piano solo (school years 10 to 13inclusive) 20th and 21st century music – Emily Anne White, Kendal

Piano solo (school years 10 to 13 inclusive) Classical and Romantic – Olivia Sheila Smith, Farleton

Piano solo (school years 10 to 13 inclusive) Baroque – Olivia Sheila Smith, Farleton

Duet and trio (any age) – Edwin Hui and Edmund Hui, Grange