Evie Brenkley,
Evie Brenkley,

Barnard castle Rotary Club

EVERY year across the UK, Rotary’s Young Musician competition attracts many hundreds of young vocalists and instrumentalists.

It is an opportunity for participants to experience performing on a public stage and receive feedback from experienced judges, plus it offers a great chance for future collaboration with fellow musicians.

On Sunday, November 17, the local heat took place at Barnard Castle School with talented local young musicians demonstrating their vocal or instrumental skills before adjudicator Dr Duncan Brown and an audience that was enthralled at the superb musicianship on display.

Certificates and monetary prizes were awarded in each category with oboist Evie Brenkley, of Barnard Castle School, being adjudged winner in the instrumental section.

Beth Stenlake, of Teesdale School, was judged both winner of the vocalist section and as overall winner of the heat.

Beth was also awarded the Pat Hartness Memorial Trophy.

Both Evie and Beth now move forward to the regional heat of the popular competition.

Rotarian Ian Hodgson said: “We know there are many talented young musicians out there and we encourage them to join us next year in sharing their gift of song or mastery of a musical instrument in Rotary’s Young Musician competition.”

Colin Dunnighan