North Shropshire pupils scoop up at top music competition
A secondary school and college in north Shropshire has cleaned up at a music competition attended by some of the best musicians in the county and beyond.
Students at the Thomas Adams School and Adams College, in Wem, returned from the Oswestry Music Youth Festival with nine trophies.
It is the most success the state school has ever had at the competition, which they have been entering for six years.
Gaenor Ellis, vocal teacher in the Thomas Adams School music department, is one of the staff involved in training the students.
She said: “I am absolutely thrilled with the success that the singing pupils have achieved at the festival this year and I’m so proud of all their achievements.
“It’s an absolute pleasure to teach pupils who show such enthusiasm and who love to perform and we are so fortunate to have such musical talent and potential at Thomas Adams, they are a joy to teach.”
The festival, which took place at Christchurch Church in Oswestry from Thursday (FEB 26) to Sunday (MAR 1), dates back to 1977.
Youngsters enter individually, from schools, universities and music groups across Shropshire, Cheshire, Wrexham and North and Mid Wales.
From Adams College four students came first in the vocal ensemble, Bethan Day and Oliver Ashley came first in the vocal duet and Katie Lewendon won the oratorio.
In the vocal solo students from the college took the top three places and in the vocal solo musical theatre category they took third and first.
Oliver Ashley, 18, was also handed an outstanding in the winners competition Oswestry Town Council Cup.
From Thomas Adams school year 7 pupil Sally Williams won the under 21 strings competition and was commended in the Council Cup competition.
Headteacher Liz Dakin said: “We are so proud of our pupils in both the school and the college.
“The success we have is remarkable when you look at the types of schools, universities and individuals they are up against.
“Sally’s achievements in the under 21 category are especially amazing for one so young.
“We have been pretty successful each time we have entered the competition - but never on this scale.
“To beat schools who are known for their music success, often private schools, is a big coup for us. We are so thrilled to have so many talented pupils here in Wem and to be able to compete with the best.
“They are very talented individuals and under the guidance of the music department they are a great credit to our music department too.”
