Trust us - we're stewards! Our photo shows Sue and Geoff Collier - just two of the many volunteer stewards who attend all the classes, to put competitors at their ease, to make sure the Adjudicators have all they need, and to generally ensure the smooth running of the proceedings. They don't feature on any of our programmes - but they surely all deserve a sincere word of thanks !
If you listen to Today at The Guild for Friday 28 April, you'll hear another great mix of talent - here's the details :
The programme starts with another chance to hear the solo songs from all the finalists in the Sheffield Plate competition - the junior equivalent of the Cleveland Medal. Each child had to win the solo voice class for their age bracket in order to qualify for the award, which recognises the best young voice in the Festival this year. The test piece for each class is a Manx traditional song.
The finalists are :
EVIE SKILLICORN singing "Brown Berry" accompanied by Jill Collings
EVAN DARROCH singing "The King of the Sea" accompanied by Jill Collings
BREESHA KELSEY singing "The Fairies' Dance" accompanied by Graham Kirkland
TYLER KNEALE singing "Fair Maids of Mann" accompanied by Frank Woolley
SOPHIE HINDSON singing "Red Top Knots" accompanied by Marilyn Cannell
ANNABEL KING singing "Slumber Song" accompanied by Frank Woolley
ZAC COLLIGON singing "Hunt The Wren" accompanied by Patricia Cullen
ALEXANDRA SLATER - who was selected by Adjudicator Andrea Calladine as WINNER OF THE 2017 SHEFFIELD PLATE - singing "O What If The Fowler My Blackbird Has Taken?" Alexandra is accompanied by Frank Woolley
JANE CORKILL AND PAUL COSTAIN - winners of the Vocal Duets Final. Jane and Paul won the Mixed Voice Duet class, and competed again against the winners of the Male Voice Duet class (William and Matt Creer) and the winners of the Ladies' Voice Duet class (Jane singing with Nici Fletcher-Causer) for the Billown Rose Bowl.
RUTH TICKLE - winner of the 2017 Cleveland Medal test. This fine soprano was chosen by Adjudicator Andrea Calladine, to receive the highest award which the Festival offers to the best adult voice this year. Ruth beat off stiff competition from Jane Mayne, John Snelling, Michael Corkhill, Helen Prescott and the 2016 Cleveland Medal winner - Paul Costain. Listen to her sing part of her winning performance - "At The Well" by H. Hageman. Ruth is accompanied by Patricia Cullen
PAUL COSTAIN used his bass voice to great effect in the Songs from the Musicals class - he took first place with 90 marks for his singing of "If I Were A Rich Man" from Fiddler on the Roof. His accompanist is Jill Collings
BUCHAN CHAMBER CHOIR under the baton of Sue Mills, accompanied by Gareth Moore, won the Mixed Choirs class for school years 3 to 6 with 87 marks. Listen to them sing the traditional Shaker song "Simple Gifts" arranged by Andy Beck
CRONK Y BERRY SCHOOL had "Food Glorious Food" on their minds as they took second place in the Mixed Choirs class with 86 marks
RUSHEN SILVER BAND - from the Brass Band classes earlier in the week - a traditional Breton tune arranged by the Band's musical director - John Kinley - for the Interceltic Festival in L'Orient in 2015 which the Band attended. It's called Plazon de Monde
CHRISTIAN COOPER and NIALL McCABE-O'KELLY - winners of the Duet class for years 7 - 13 - were awarded 89 marks for singing "Dear Theodosia" - a reflection on the responsibility of being a Father. They are both members of Broadway Theatre Company
Visit Live and Local to listen back to the programme in full.
