Festival News
Finals Night 2010
Congratulations to Andrew Williamson who was awarded his third Cleveland Medal in the Royal Hall last night. The experienced Bass singer from Kirk Michael last won in 1987, but has been a stalwart supporter of the Festival, and a regular winner of other major trophies throughout his singing career. He joins an elite group of those who have won three times or more.
The Sheffield Plate, competed for by all the winners of the Junior Solo Classes, was won by Michelle Jamieson, with a lovely performance of her set piece "My House", by Leonard Bernstein.
The F M Cubbon Rose Bowl, contested by the winners of the six winners of the individual Lieder classes held earlier in the week, was awarded to the popular Bass singer Glynn Morris from Sale in Cheshire, while the winners of the Vocal Duets Final were Marlene Hendy and Dilys Sowrey, singing a beautiful arrangement of Robert Burns' "Ae Fond Kiss" by Fenella Bazin.
So the Guild is over for another year. As usual there have been surprises, disappointments and many, many wonderful performances. Congratulations and thanks to all of our competitors, accompanists, stewards, supporters, and all those who work to ensure the success of the Festival. For those who have not quite had enough or who could not make it to the Villa Marina last night, don't forget that Judith Ley will introduce her programme of highlights from Finals Night tonight (Sunday) on Manx Radio at 9pm.
posted on: 02/05/2010
Friday Highlights
The line up for this year's Sheffield Plate Final was completed on Friday morning in the Royal Hall when Michelle Jamieson won Class JS8 Girls' Solo (Years 7 to 8). She will compete in the Final on Saturday evening against the winners of the other Junior Solo Classes, who are: Aalin Wilson (Girls Solo Year 4), Rhianne Charnley (Girls' Solo Year 5), Katrina Holmes (Girls' Solo Years 9 and 10), Maebh Worthing (Girls' Solo Year 6), Shayla O'Brien (Girls' Solo Years 1 to 3), Patrick McCord (Boys' Solo Years 1 to 4), Stuart Perks (Boys' Solo Years 5 and 6) and Daniel Quayle (Boys' Solo Year 7 and over).
Friday night in the Royal Hall was taken up with the Duet Classes. The winners who will sing on Finals night, competing for the Billown Rose Bowl, were Denise Groenewald and John Qualtrough (Mixed Voice Class), Harry Galbraith and Graham Crowe (Male Voice Class) and Marlene Hendy and Dilys Sowrey (Female Voice Class).
The final day of this year's Festival sees the Folk Songs (Years 4 to 8) in the Royal Hall, and the Character Study (Up to Year 6) in the Promenade Suite during the morning. The afternoon in the Royal Hall is taken up with Classes for Choirs, before the stage is set for Finals Night, which gets underway at 7 pm. Those who will compete for the Festival's top honour, the Cleveland Medal, are Andrew Williamson (Bass), Sian Callow (Soprano), John Qualtrough (Baritone), Victoria McLauchlan (Contralto), Michael Corkhill (Tenor), and Linda Corkish (Mezzo Soprano). Adjudicator for all of the day's vocal classes, including the Finals, is Fiona Chryssides, who makes a welcome return to the Island, having adjudicated many classes at last years Festival.
posted on: 01/05/2010
Thursday Highlights 2010
A phenomenal performance of 'Gethsamane' from Jesus Christ Superstar brought a standing ovation and the Manx Ladies Choir Trophy for Simon Lynch of Greeba in Thursday night's Songs from the Musicals Class in a packed Royal Hall. It was a truly memorable performance, and one which will be remembered and talked of for a long time to come.
In the afternoon, Kelly Collard was the first ever winner of the newly introduced Lieder Class for All Voices (Female 16 - 25 years) and Male (18 to 27 years).
posted on: 30/04/2010