Ellesmere College has enjoyed another very successful year at the Oswestry Youth Music Festival with students taking 23 first places and filling 50 top three places during the extended week-long event.

The college was well represented with more than 100 musicians aged from eight to 18 taking part. For some it marked their first performance in front of an audience and the event provided the opportunity for students to gain valuable experience, receive expert feedback and have the chance to listen to performers from other schools.

The festival, now in its 49th year, took place at venues across Oswestry in a celebration of youth music featuring more than 90 classes including string, woodwind, brass, piano, percussion, instrumental, vocal, choir and band. It attracted 560 entries from 52 schools and colleges from across England, Wales and Norway.

Tony Coupe, Ellesmere College Director of Music, said: “The Oswestry Youth Music Festival never disappoints and we once again saw some amazing performances from Ellesmere College students.

“Our pupils hit the stage with incredible energy from the start and maintained an incredible intensity throughout the expanded festival. There was a wonderful sense of excitement in the air over the course of the week as young musicians from across the region gathered to share their craft.

“We were so proud of how our pupils stepped into the spotlight with vigour, passion, and artistry. Every performance during the week was a chance to grow, and it was a privilege to watch our pupils seize these opportunities with such enthusiasm. But the festival is more than just a competition; it is about finding your voice, having fun and supporting your peers. The ‘Ellesmere Team’ atmosphere was palpable and that collective passion is what truly defines us.

“Our students figured strongly with 23 firsts, 13 seconds and 15 thirds in what was a thoroughly enjoyable musical extravaganza. Congratulations to everyone who took part for performing with such confidence, joy and skill. We are very proud of you all! “A major highlight of the week for the college came on the last day – Finals Day – when the ‘best of the best’ from every category returned to the stage to compete for the festival’s most prestigious awards. We were all absolutely thrilled when Kit Fisher was announced as the winner of the Junior Town Council Cup, The Gull Award.

“Competing in the 15 and Under Final, Kit took to the stage with a high-octane performance of Elton John’s Crocodile Rock. In a field of truly outstanding musicianship – featuring elite finalists on the Cello, Voice, Trumpet, and Clarinet – Kit’s precision and passion captured the adjudicator’s heart, along with the trophy and a £150 bursary to support his future musical studies.

“Earlier in the finals, Zoe delivered a fantastic performance in the 12 and Under Final for the Young Performer of the Year Award. Representing the school and our emerging young percussion section at such a young age is a monumental achievement.

“Earlier in the week members of Years 7 and 8 took to the stage in the 15 and Under Musical Theatre Ensemble category performing a medley from their upcoming production of Oliver! Their energy was infectious, and we were thrilled when they were announced as winners of the Reanimation Trophy.

“’In vocal classes, pupils from Ellesmere shone in all categories from pop, to musical theatre, to folk song, oratorio and opera. These achievements would not have been possible without the tireless support behind the scenes and a huge thank you goes to our singing teacher, Mrs Gaenor Ellis, for her expert accompaniment and for being such a steady source of encouragement for all our pupils throughout the day.

“Ensemble is our consistently outstanding area and to see the dedication and practice of the Chapel and Chamber Choirs culminate in such a jaw-dropping display was a privilege for everyone in the room – their outstanding performances in the 21 & Under Youth Choir class saw them awarded joint first place and the adjudicator said both groups were performing at a national standard. Meanwhile our Lower School Choir also tasted success, winning the Wilfred Owen Cup for 16s & Under with dynamic, high-energy rendition.

“There are so many individual and ensemble highlights each year but perhaps the best example of community spirit comes in a collaboration pioneered and developed over the last three years – an amalgamation of musicians from Porthywaen Youth Band and Ellesmere Students. They are given parts, rehearse separately and then come together on the night to discover and perform the music for the first time.”

Ellesmere College results

 Pop and Easy Listening

12 and Under A: Chloe Hart – 1st

12 and Under B: Florence – 1st

12 and Under: Ania – 3rd

13 and Under: Ellie – 2nd

15 and Under: Eddie – 3rd

18 and Under: Kiri – 1st

Instrumental Duet

18 and Under: Alex – 2nd; Tabby and Emilia – 3rd

Vocal Solo

11 and Under: Trixie – 3rd

Vocal Duet

15 and Under: Florence and friend – 2nd; Camilla and Poppy – joint 3rd with Doug and friend

15 and Under: Florence and Jasper – 1st

21 and Under: Tabby and Tilly – 3rd

Unaccompanied Folk Tradition

15 and Under: Louisa – 1st; VV – 2nd

Opera

21 and Under: Lidia – 1st; Ellie – 2nd; Mini – 3rd

Gilbert & Sullivan

21 and Under: Louisa – 2nd

Piano Solo

15 and Under: Jack – 3rd

Classical

15 and Under: Esther – 3rd

Musical Theatre Ensemble

15 and Under: Lower School cast from Oliver – 1st

Musical Theatre

18 and Under: Ellie – 1st

15 and Under: Isobel – 3rd

13 and Under A: Tom – 1st

13 and Under B: Ellie – 1st

Rock Band

15 and Under: The Hee Hees (Karina, Zac, Florence and Eddie) – 2nd

Instrumental Ensemble

12 and Under: Lower School Band – 2nd

15 and under: Lower School Band – 2nd

18 and Under: Ellesmere Strings – 3rd

Classical Test Piece

18 and Under: Mini – 3rd

Youth Orchestra

25 and Under: Senior Orchestra – 2nd

Oratorio

21 and Under: Holly – 1st

Drum Kit Solo

12 and Under: Zoe – 1st; Francesca – 2nd

15 and Under: Kit Fisher – 1st

Drum Kit Solo with Backing Track

12 and Under: Zoe – 1st; Francesca – 2nd

15 and Under: Kit Fisher – 2nd

Tuned Percussion

21 and Under: Kit Fisher – 1st

Woodwind Solo

18 and Under: Tabby – 1st

String Solo

15 and Under: Jack – 3rd; Florence – 3rd

Youth Choir

16 and Under: Lower School Choir – 1st

21 and Under: Chapel Choir – 1st

21 and Under: Chamber Choir – 1st

Chamber Music Ensemble

18 and Under: Ellesmere Wind Ensemble – 3rd

Percussion Ensemble

12 and Under: Ellesmere Rhythm Collective – 1st

15 and Under: Just in Time – 1st

Wind Band

25 and under: Porthmere Wind Band – 1st

Grand Final

15 and under: Kit Fisher – 1st