Published at 11:10, Thursday, 17 May 2012

FRIZINGTON girl Megan Smith has won the prestigious Junior Rose Bowl at Whitehaven Musical Festival.

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This is the third year running that 12-year-old Megan has won the adjudicators over with her strong singing performances.

This year, the St Benedict’s School pupil has also been awarded The Mitchell Trophy and Theatre Group Trophy for her performances.

She said: “I’m overwhelmed and really pleased to have won.”

Megan practises every day and regularly takes singing lessons with teacher Karen Wilson.

Her mother, Joanne Smith, said: “We’re just so proud of her. She has done so well. She has only been singing for just over three years, so to be awarded the junior rose bowl every year she has entered is great.”

The winner of the Alfred Napier Swinburne Memorial Rose Bowl was Gillian Rothery. This is the fourth time she has won the prestigious award.

This year, Gillian won over the crowds and adjudicator Marilynne Davies with her rendition of When Icicles Hang On The Wall by Roger Quilter. She also won the Oratorio class with Exsultate Jubilate by Mozart and the operatic class with Je Veux Vivre from the opera Romeo and Juliette by Gounod.

Winning the Carole Shaw Memorial Trophy was Vanessa Cowley. This is the fourth time she has won the trophy which is awarded to best all round female vocalist.

Vanessa won the Songs from the Shows, Light Operatic and Gilbert and Sullivan classes, and she also competed in this year’s Rose Bowl final.

The festival, which was held at Whitehaven Civic Hall, featured performers from Copeland and Allerdale with singing, speech and music classes.

Among the winners was Thomas Donnan, of Whitehaven, who was awarded the new Committee Trophy for his solo performance of Something Spooky by Lin Marsh.

Pupils from St Bridget’s School in Egremont took part in a host of classes at the festival.

In the eight to 12 years category, they won the Choral Speaking Trophy for their choral recital of Night Mail by W H Auden.

Students also participated in the solo verse speaking categories. Gemma Lewthwaite, 11, of Egremont, has been given two awards for her recital of Digging by Seamus Heaney. She was awarded a trophy for reading a section from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

The 11-year-old also came joint first with Keira Groggins in the category for Presenting a News Report.

Gemma’s mother, Sharon Lewthwaite, said: “I’m very proud of her. It’s nice to see the school is doing things like this with the kids. Gemma also goes to Cathy Marcangelo for singing lessons too.”

Fellow pupil Meagan Byers received top marks in the poem category, where she had to perform a piece she had written.

Pupil Ruth Brown gained a trophy for her reading of a bible passage.

Pam Douglas, headteacher at St Bridget’s School, said: “The children really enjoy it. They go to an after school club, which they choose to do, and have so much enthusiasm. I’m proud of them.”

Adjudicator Val Chicken said: “The standards have been excellent. The children are all thoroughly happy with what they’ve got. It’s very difficult but they have a lot of support for each other. I want to praise the teachers who spend their time after school with these children.”

This year, pupils from Workington schools hit the high notes with their choir performances, however there was strong solo performances by youngsters across West Cumbria.

Ten-year-old Izabella Sloan won the Mavis Brigg Trophy for her performance of Somewhere by Dorothy Parke.

Her mother, Debra Sloan, said: “I’m really proud of her - she did so well.”

On Friday afternoon, performers were treated to a master class by their adjudicator Marilynne Davies to build their confidence and enhance singing skills.

As an addition to the usual format, Mrs Davies invited the children to refine their singing in a short workshop after they had given their solo performances.

She said: “They remember things if you teach them practically rather than just telling them. I’m all about building confidence in young people.“I think they have been very confident and very calm. They have learnt the songs very well and they have young voices which haven’t been pushed.”

Musical festival chairman Frank Flinn said: “It’s marvellous that Marilynne has been doing these master classes. We are hear to encourage the participants so they are happy to showcase their talents.”

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk