St. Cuthbert’s winners at the Festival of Music

The St. Cuthbert’s junior musical ensemble, comprising Year 9, 10 and 11 pupils

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

St. Cuthbert’s pupils were winners in two events at the Rochdale Youth Festival of Music, the Junior and Senior Musical Ensemble categories.

The Junior Ensemble comprised pupils from Year 7 and 8 as they performed two songs, 'When I Grow up', from the musical Matilda, and 'One more angel in heaven', from Joseph.

The group was awarded Honours, the highest possible mark.

Gordon Stewart as the lead adjudicator. Gordon is one of the UK’s most popular and adaptable organists; he has played celebrity concerts in such places as St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and Westminster Cathedral. His comments regarding the junior performance included: "he choral part is really full and it is so well together", "excellent story telling" and "a very fine performance".

St. Cuthbert’s Senior Ensemble performed a 'Hairspray Medley'.

The Year 9, 10 and 11 pupils were also awarded honours with a score of 95 out of 100.

Their excellent score ensured they were invited to perform at this year’s Celebration Concert, which will feature the best acts of the festival. Gordon commented: "I can think of no better way to end the choral section of the festival than this. You simply set a standard that others only dream of reaching, it was a real festival highlight." 

The annual festival, held at Rochdale Town Hall, is run by the Rochdale Music Service on behalf of the Rochdale Schools Service. It consists of numerous classes both competitive and non-competitive, followed by one or two celebration concerts. The classes are open to all, in their appropriate age group, who work or attend a school, college or a registered youth community facility.