TALENTED young performers took part in the local heat of the national Young Musician 2018 competition hosted by the Rotary Club of Aireborough.

The event attracted six talented performers from three local secondary schools - Yingzhe Feng (piano) from St. Mary’s School, Charlotte Smith (cello), Ellie Barraclough (voice) and Harry Turner (drums), all from Guiseley School and Mark Holland (oboe) and Phoebe Moorhouse (piano) from Horsforth School.

The three judges Liz Kenwood, Mitzi Whitham and Philip Livesey gave each individual competitor constructive feedback and advice on their performances, and said it had been a difficult task to select the two eventual winners. They also congratulated each entrant on having the courage to stand up and perform in front of a sizeable audience at the Grove Methodist Church, Horsforth.

The joint winners will move forward to the next stage, the district final in York in February. Yingzhe Feng was praised for his 'beautiful sensitive touch, smooth flow and confident control' in playing Chopin’s Nocturne opus 72 no.1. Mark Holland’s Elegia by Nino Rota was described as 'a real performance that came alive demonstrating a technical facility and a warm tone'.

All competitors received a certificate and the winners' cheques were presented by club president Heather Read. Brian Whitham organised the evening and made the introductions.