HomeNewsFinal results and photos from 2023 Highbridge Festival of the Arts

Final results and photos from 2023 Highbridge Festival of the Arts

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The 75th annual Highbridge Festival Of The Arts has seen hundreds of performances in Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge over the two weeks.

Here are the final results from the long-running festival which shines a spotlight on the best up-and-coming performers from across in the region.

The Festival will return in March 2024 for its 76th year. Syllabuses for all three sections: Speech & Drama, Dance & Music should be available in October 2023 here.

Saturday 18th March

The final day of the Festival welcomed instrumentalists and vocalists to Highbridge Community Hall. The instrumental entrants, many of whom have been competing at the Festival since childhood, were praised by the adjudicator for continuing on their musical journey and applauded by the audience for their performances as soloists and in duets.

Familiar songs from shows and films were shared during the afternoon by soloists and two choirs, together with own composition and songs of worship. Adjudicator, Donal McCrisken, concluded the Festival saying, “It’s been such a lovely afternoon.  This is a special festival, very humanely run, and showing great nurturing of young talent.”  He went on to thank the organisers and the team of volunteers for their hard work in making the Music Section so successful.

Music results for Saturday March 18th:

Class X64D          Accompanied Solos – Woodwind

1st          Sophie Beard

Class X69C          Unaccompanied Solos – Woodwind

1st          Lillie Hannett

Class X64C          Accompanied Solos – Woodwind

1st          Lillie Hannett

2nd        Gracie Driscoll

Class X60C          Recorder Solos – One or Two Pieces

1st          Gracie Driscoll

Class X73             Instrumental Solo – Any Instrument Grades 2 – 3

1st          Amber Perrott

2nd        Olivia Rosser

Class X77B          Instrumental Duet – Any Combination

1st          Olivia Rosser & Amber Perrott

Class X69D          Unaccompanied Solos – Woodwind

1st          Sophie Beard

2nd        Holly Thomas

Class X74W         Woodwind Grades 4 – 5

1st          Lillie Hannett

Class X75             Instrumental Solo – Any Instrument Grades 6 – 7

1st          Holly Thomas

2nd        Sophie Beard

Class X77D          Instrumental Duet – Any Combination

1st          Gracie Driscoll & Holly Thomas

2nd        Sophie Beard & Lillie Hannett

Class V16E          Vocal Solo – Song of Own Choice including Pop/Film/Show

1st          Vinnie Triggol

2nd        Christine Hall

Class V5E             Vocal Solo – Pop Song From Any Decade

1st          Vinnie Triggol

2nd        Christine Hall

Class V4E             Vocal Solo – Song From Any Musical Show/Film

1st          Paul Wynn

2nd        Christine Hall

Class V15E          Vocal Solo – Song of Own Choice excluding Pop/Film/Show

1st          Vinnie Triggol

Class V2E             Vocal Solo – Adult Song of Worship

1st          Christine Hall

Class C29             Choral – Two Contrasting Songs of Worship

1st          Vocalise

Class C30             Choral – Two or Three Short Songs with a Common Theme

1st          Vocalise

Class C31             Choral – Two Contrasting Songs To Be Sung in Harmony

1st          Vocalise

2nd        Vocalise-Lite

Class C32             Choral – Two Songs in Unison

1st          Vocalise

2nd        Vocalise-Lite

Class C34             Choral – 15 Minute Show Medley

1st          Vocalise

Friday 17th March

Friday’s Music Section at Highbridge Community Hall was quieter but no less enjoyable with the audience being treated to instrumental and vocal performances from children and adults. Vocalists sang in a range of styles from Pop and Musical Theatre to an Art Song sung in Italian.  A wide variety of instruments were played during the day giving the audience the chance to hear playing they might not have experienced before.  As Adjudicator, Donal McCrisken said, “Where else but Highbridge Festival would you hear the bagpipes, harp, drums and concertina played in the same venue alongside piano, flute and violin?”  The evening was rounded off by an ensemble of clarinet players whose final piece, the theme from The Addams Family, had the audience jiggling in their seats.

Music Results for Friday March 17th:

Class X39B          Instrumental – Look What I Can Do

1st          Hannah Rose

2nd        Sophie Downing

3rd         Lottie Chadd

Class X39A          Instrumental – Look What I Can Do

1st          Lois Downing

2nd        Evelyn McGovern

3rd         Angus Margary

Class X88B          Instrumental – Beginners’ Class

1st          Zoe Coburn

2nd=      Alona Vargheese

2nd=      Lottie Chadd

3rd         Darcy Chilcott

Class X88A          Instrumental – Beginners’ Class

1st          Emily Stanley

2nd=      Ben Chadd

2nd=      Angus Margary

3rd=       Evelyn McGovern

3rd=       Shreya Varinder

Class V4B             Vocal Solo –

Song from any Musical Show/Film

1st          Scarlett Newitt

2nd=      Florence Curtis

2nd=      Abi Latimer

3rd         Kaitlyn Smith

Class V4A            Vocal Solo – Song from any Musical Show/Film

1st          Katie Arkless

Class V7B             Vocal Solo – Baroque/Classical/Romantic

1st          Florence Curtis

Class V15A          Vocal Solo – Song of Own Choice excluding Pop/Film/Show

1st          Katie Arkless

Class V15B          Vocal Song – Song of own Choice excluding Pop/Film/Show

1st          Abi Latimer

Class V16B          Vocal Solo – Song of Own Choice including Pop/Film/Show

1st          Scarlett Newitt

2nd        Lily Baker

Class V10B          Vocal Solo – Art Song in Original Language

1st          Florence Curtis

Class V4C             Vocal Solo – Song from any Musical Show/Film

1st          Morwenna Fuller

2nd=      Sophie Pepper

2nd=      Jaimie Holland

Class V16C          Vocal Solo – Song of Own Choice including Pop/Film/Show

1st          Jaimie Holland

2nd        Morwenna Fuller

Class V24C          Vocal Duet – Adult & Child Own Choice

1st          Jaimie Holland & Claire Vincent

Class X66B          Accompanied Solos – Percussion

1st          Tristan Clarke

Class 67B             Accompanied Solos –  Any Other Instrument

1st          Tay Meager

2nd        Kobie Sherren

Class 67A             Accompanied Solos – Any Other Instrument

1st          Cai Meager

Class X74             Instrumental Solo – Any Instrument Grade 4-5

1st          Tristan Clarke

Class X68B          Unaccompanied Solos – Strings

1st          Forest White

Class X39C          Instrumental – Look What I Can Do

1st          Amelia Rose

2nd=      Bethan, Amelia & Hannah Rose

2nd=      Amelia Rose

Class X68C          Unaccompanied Solos – Strings

1st          Matilda White

Class X71E           Unaccompanied Solos – Any Other Instrument

1st          Linda Bond

2nd        Philip Marshall

Class X76             Instrumental Solo – Any Instrument Grade 8 and above

1st          Matilda White

Class G83             Instrumental Ensemble 7 – 12 Instruments

1st          Clarinet Candies

Thursday 16th March

Highbridge Community Hall was packed to the rafters by an enthusiastic and supportive audience on the morning of Thursday March 16, as choirs from five primary schools took to the stage.  The adjudicator, Donal McCrisken, was delighted with the children’s glorious singing and talked to the audience about the benefits of choral singing and said he had enjoyed the enthusiasm of their performances.  A smaller, but no less appreciative audience enjoyed listening to recorder players from Bridgwater College Academy. The adjudicator extolled the virtues of learning to play the recorder, saying how much he had enjoyed the children’s playing and that he wished he heard more recorder playing at festivals, as it was a brilliant instrument with which to begin a musical journey.

Mayor, Cllr Lesley Millard, joined the audience for the evening session, saying she had had a lovely evening.  The first class saw eleven young people compete for The Dorothy Reaney Trophy, which had been presented to the Festival in memory of Dot Reaney a long time supporter of the Festival. The Coastline Singer’s entry had the audience chuckling and resonated with  the adjudicator as he said that he admired their bravery in presenting a parody of a community choir singing badly but was then delighted when the choir sang a beautiful interpretation of The Place Where Lost Things Go.  The evening was rounded off by King Alfred Concert Band who thoroughly  entertained the audience with a variety of pieces. Adjudicator, Donal McCrisken, said that they had provided an excellent end to the evening and praised the Band’s Musical Director, Sheila Philp, for keeping the Band in order.

Music results: 16 March

Class C296          Choral – Two Contrasting  Songs of Worship

1st          Brent Knoll School

2nd        Churchfield Harmony

Class C304          Choral – Two or Three Short Songs With a Common Theme

1st          East Brent C of E Academy

Class C322          Choral – Two Songs in Unison

1st          Bridgwater Class, Churchfield School

Class G82B         Instrumental Ensemble 3 – 6 Instruments

1st          Worle Village Guitar Group

Class C306          Choral – Two or Three Short Songs

With a Common Theme

1st          Brent Knoll School

Class C326          Choral – Two Songs in Unison

1st          Worle Village Primary School

2nd=      Brent Knoll School

2nd=      St Andrew’s Choir

3rd         Churchfield Harmony

Class X62A          Recorder Groups – One or Two Pieces

1st          Bridgwater College Academy Year 4 Recorder Group

Class X88G         Instrumental Beginners’ Class

1st          Bridgwater College Academy Year 3 Recorder Group

Class X60A          Recorder Solos – One or Two Pieces

1st          Harvey Lacey

2nd        Alice Walford

Class X61A          Recorder Duets – One or Two Pieces

1st          Lilla Dome & Sofia Dankova

2nd=      Betsy Young & Isla Witchell

2nd=      Erin McCallum & Cynthia Churchill

Class DRT             The Dorothy Reaney Award

1st          Sophie Beard

2nd        Morwenna Fuller

3rd         Jack Richardson

Class G37            Multi-Discipline Performance

1st          Coastline Singers

Class G85            Instrumental Ensemble 35+ instruments

1st          King Alfred Concert Band

Wednesday 15th March

The first day of the Music Section of this year’s 75th Festival was a celebration of piano playing with entrants from 7 to over 70 playing their favourite pieces.   The pianists delighted the audience throughout the day with their accomplished solo and duet performances. Many entrants entered lots of classes and were rewarded with medals for pieces played in a wide variety of styles. The adjudicator, Donal McCrisken, provided positive feedback for all entrants as well as offering advice on how to develop and enhance their playing.

Music results Wednesday 15 March 

Class P53B          Piano Duet – Pupil & Teacher  Duet of Own Choice

1st          Lee Smith

2nd=      Hannah Rose

2nd=      Sophie Downing

3rd         Hermione Spratt

 

Class 53A            Piano Duet – Pupil & Teacher

                                Duet of Own Choice

1st          Ella Kaya

2nd=      Lois Downing

2nd=      Nora Allan

Class P40             Piano Solo Up To Grade 1

1st          Sofia Marchant

2nd=      Milana Ballantine

2nd=      Ella Kaya

3rd=       Lee Smith

3rd=       Nora Allan

Class 51B             Piano Solo – One Modern Piece

1st          Freya Slade

2nd        Zoe Margary

3rd         Lee Smith

Class 51A            Piano Solo – One Modern Piece

1st          Nora Allan

2nd=      Elijah Warwick

2nd=      Polly Margary

Class P48B          Piano Solo – One Piece of Own Choice

1st          Lee Smith

2nd        Milana Ballantine

3rd         Zoe Margary

Class 48A             Piano Solo – One Piece of own Choice

1st          Breanna Wong

2nd=      Lois Downing

2nd=      Nora Allan

3rd         Elijah Warwick

Class P50B          Piano Solo – One Piece in Baroque/Classical/Romantic Style

1st          Jacob Powell

2nd        Lee Smith

Class P50A          Piano Solo – One Piece in Baroque/ Classical/Romantic Style

1st          Breanna Wong

Class P52B          Piano Duet – A Duet of Own Choice

1st          Sophie & Lois Downing

Class P53C          Piano Duet – A Duet of Own Choice

1st          Hannah & Amelia Rose

Class X88C          Instrumental Beginners’ Class

1st          Amelia Rose

Class P51C          Piano Solo – One Modern Piece

1st          Edwina Wong

Class P41             Piano Solo – Grades 2 – 3

1st          Seth Barnshaw

Class P42             Piano Solo – Grades 4 – 5

1st          Seri-Ann Merrick

2nd        Alex Chang

Class P53E           Piano Duet – Pupil & Teacher Duet of Own Choice

1st          Susie Fowler

2nd        Chrissy Coburn

Class P48C          Piano Solo – One Piece of Own Choice

1st          Edwina Wong

Class P48D          Piano Solo – One Piece of Own Choice

1st          Jack Richardson

2nd        Sophie Beard

Class P50C          Piano Solo – One Piece in Baroque/Classical/Romantic Style

1st          Edwina Wong

Class 53C             Piano Duet – Pupil & Teacher Duet of Own Choice

1st          Lillie Hannett

2nd        Amelia Rose

Class P53D          Piano Duet – Pupil & Teacher Duet of Own Choice

1st          Jack Richardson

2nd        Seth Barnshaw

3rd         Sophie Beard

Class P52E          Piano Duet – A Duet of Own Choice

1st          Janet Nurse & Julie Ward

2nd        Jennifer Golding & Rachel Burland

Class P43             Piano Solo – Grades 6 – 7

1st          Jack Richardson

Class P44             Piano Solo – Grade 8 and above

1st          Edwina Wong

2nd        Jennifer Golding

Class P48E          Piano Solo – One Piece of Own Choice

1st          Graham Lyne

2nd=      Sam McDougal

2nd=      Bethen Grace Marshall

3rd         Susie Fowler

Class P50E          Piano Solo – One Piece in Baroque/ Classical/Romantic Style

1st          Nick Jackman

2nd=      Graham Lyne

2nd=      Ben Webster

3rd         Nicholas Smith

Class P51E          Piano Solo – One Modern Piece

1st          Young Hee Pain

Saturday 11th & Sunday 12th March

The Festival welcomed teenage and adult dancers to the Dance Section. There was a good standard of dance throughout the weekend with many classes being won by dancers who achieved distinction marks. A rare Outstanding/Honours mark was awarded to RJT for their Senior Group Dance Birds. Catherine Ingram, the Dance Adjudicator said, “It has been a privilege to adjudicate at Highbridge Festival this week and celebrate the collaboration of young dancers and their inspirational teachers.  I am sure many of these young people will go into the performing industry. I would also like to say a big thank you to the amazing team of volunteers who make this event possible. Well done all.”

Sunday 12th March results

Dance 12 March

Class 8 National Solo 15 – 18 years

1st=  Hollie Shere

1st=  Harriet Vickers-Graham

Class 5 Lyrical Modern Solo 15 – 18 years

1st    Lily-Rain Fuller

2nd= Poppy Collis-Smith

2nd= Lacey Pimm

3rd=  Bethany Hughes

3rd=  Evie King

3rd=  Scarlett Puddy

Class 73 Cabaret Trios/Quartets 18 years & under

1st    Florrie Radley, Esme Stewart & Harriet Vickers-Graham

2nd   Beth Gowell, Harriet Hosken & Ashleigh Hickman

3rd    Harriet Hosken, Ruby Smith & Ashleigh Hickman

Class 9 Choreographic Solo 15 – 18 years

1st    Beth Goswell

Class 3 Tap Solo 15 – 18 years

1st    Esme Stewart

2nd   Lacey Pimm

3rd=  Harriet Vickers-Graham

3rd=  Florrie Radley

Class 74 Classical Trios/Quartets 18 years & under

1st    Hollie Shere, Hanah Gamlin & Ella Trott

Class 10 Commercial/Street Solo 15 – 18 years

1st=    Harriet Hosken

1st=    Scarlett Puddy

2nd    Aimee Davies

3rd=   Alana James

3rd=   Beth Goswell

Class 2 Modern Solo 15 – 18 years

1st    Scarlett Puddy

2nd   Lily-Rain Fuller

3rd    Bethany Hughes

Class 11 Song and Dance Solo 15 – 18 years

1st    Lily-Rain Fuller

2nd   Alana James

Class 63 Classical Duets 18 years and under

1st    Hollie Shere & Hanah Gamlin

2nd   Sophia Anderson & Evie King

Class 7 Contemporary Solo 15 – 18 years

1st    Lola Beebee

Class 1 Classical Ballet Solo 15 – 18 years

1st    Lacey Pimm

2nd   Abigail Kelly

3rd    Grace Fry

Class 62 Cabaret Duets 18 years & under

1st    Grace Fry & Francesa Guidi

2nd   Florrie Radley & Esme Stewart

3rd    Morwenna & Lily-Rain Fuller

Class 82 Cabaret Senior Groups 21 years & under

1st  Birds – RJT (Honours)

2nd   Run Boy Run – Spotlight Dance Academy

3rd=  Dancin’ Fool – Spotlight Dance Academy

3rd=  Move – Fox King Dance Academy

Class 83 Classical Senior Groups 21 years & under

1st    Woolf Works – Fox King Dance Academy

2nd   Celtic Reel – Signature Dance Studios

3rd    Masquerade – Spotlight Dance Academy

Class 72  Any Dance Adult Duets

1st    Mary Nutley & Malcolm Cuthbertson

Class 81 Any Dance Adult Trios/Quartets

1st    Mary Nutley, Christine Gardner, Emma Kimsey

& Malcolm Cuthbertson

Class 89 Any Dance Group Adult

1st    Luck be a Lady – Lisa Jane School of Dance

2nd   Handclap Party – SDS

3rd=  Feeling Good – Stepping Out

3rd=  Paso Doble De Carmen – Fuego Flamenco

Saturday 11th March results

Class 19 National Solo

1st    Ella Trott

2nd= Emily Vickers-Graham

2nd= Sophia Winfield

Class 16 Lyrical Modern Solo 13 – 14 years

1st    Bonnie Williams

2nd  Beatrice Langham

2nd  Mariella O’Connell

3rd= Poppy Potter

3rd= Rocha Teale

3rd= Nathalia Evans

3rd= Edwina Wong

3rd= Imogen Higton

3rd= Lorelei Murdoch

Class 20 Choreographic Solo 13 – 1 4 years

1st=  Bonnie Williams

1st=  Beatrice Langham

2nd= Rocha Teale

2nd= Poppy Potter

3rd=  Amber Sharrock

3rd=  Enya Farler-Smith

Class 75 Trios/Quartets 14 years & under

1st    Emilia Cornes, Emily Vickers-Graham & Lola Smith

Class 18 Contemporary Solo 13 – 14 years

1st    Mariella O’Connell

2nd   Edwina Wong

3rd=  Poppy Potter

3rd=  Enya Farler-Smith

Class 15 Character Solo

1st    Poppy Potter

2nd  Lily Beacon

3rd   Jessica Hughes

Class 65 Classical Duets 14 years & under

1st    Poppy Potter & Beatrice Langham

2nd  Amber Sharrock & Lily Beacon

3rd   Grace Tackle & Phoebe Bailey

Class 13 Modern Solo 13 – 14 years

1st    Lily Beacon

2nd  Bonnie Williams

3rd   Edwina Wong

Class 64 Cabaret Duets 14 years & under

1st    Poppy Potter & Beatrice Langham

2nd   Rocha Teale & Olivia Montgomery

3rd    Edwina Wong & Enya Farler-Smith

Class 12 Classical Ballet Solo 13 – 14 years

1st    Edwina Wong

2nd   Jessica Hughes

3rd=  Daisy Armstrong

3rd=  Imogen Higton

Class 21 Commercial/Street Solo 13 – 14 years

1st    Poppy Potter

2nd= Alisha Hutchison

2nd= Sophia Winfield

Class 14 Tap Solo 13 – 14 years

1st    Rocha Teale

2nd= Autumn Williams

2nd= Lily Beacon

3rd    Georgia Rainey

Class 22 Song and Dance 13 – 14 years

1st    Lily Beacon

2nd   Emilia Cornes

3rd    Poppy Potter

Class 85 Classical Intermediate Groups 14 years & under

1st=  Harry Potter – Spotlight Dance Academy

1st=  A Golden Childhood – Fox King Dance Academy

Class 84 Cabaret Intermediate Groups 14 years & under

1st    Conductor – RJT

2nd   He Lives In You – Stepping Stones School of Dance

3rd=  In case you don’t live forever – Spotlight Dance Academy

3rd=  Circus – Fox King Dance Academy

Friday 10th March results

The third day of the Dance Section welcomed 11 and 12-year-old dancers to The Princess Theatre. The audience were treated to dancing of a good standard with three dancers achieving distinction marks and a large number of others being commended for their solo, duet and trio performances.  The day was rounded off by Henry’s empathetic interpretation of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, which he had choreographed himself.

The last two days of the Dance Section will take place over the weekend, before the Festival moves to Highbridge Community Hall for the Music Section, which begins on Wednesday 15 March.

Dance results 10 March

Class 30 National 11 – 12 years

1st    Millie Smith

Class 26 Character Solo 11 – 12 years

1st    Henry Fryer

2nd= Alice Friend

2nd= Noah Morgan

3rd    Hattie Kybert

Class 78 Classical Trios/Quartets 12 years and under

1st    Lauren Dodden, Chloe Jenkins & Marcy-May Murdoch

2nd   Izzy Watters, Lucy Hasler & Kaitlyn Smith

Class 25 Tap Solo 11 – 12 years

1st    Lauren Dodden

2nd   Freya Chaffey

3rd    Benji Kingston

Class 27 Lyrical Modern Solo 11 – 12 years

1st=  Ruby Sproat

1st=  Noah Morgan

2nd   Alice Friend

3rd=  Sophie Gardner

3rd=  Hattie Kybert

Class 77 Cabaret Trios/Quartets 12 years and under

1st    Rosie Eades, Lauren Dodden & Chloe Jenkins

2nd= Kiera Hallet, Lily Usher & Lilianna Bellavia

2nd= Merryn Kyle, Mia Muscat & Rose Muscat

3rd    Sophie-Jo Morton-Watts, Isla Sapsford, Ellie Jones & Molly Eagle

Class 24 Modern Solo 11 – 12 years

1st    Alice Friend

2nd= Noah Morgan

2nd= Layla Tovey

3rd=  Daisy Sen-Sharma-West

3rd=  Liliana Bellavia

3rd=  Ruby Loud

3rd=  Ruby Sproat

3rd=  Benji Kingston

Class 67 Classical Duets 12 years and under

1st    Noah Morgan & Marianne Finch

Class 66 Cabaret Duets 12 years and under

1st    Hattie Kybert & Marianne Finch

2nd= Isobella Montgomery & Matilda Palmer

2nd= Rosie Eades & Lauren Dodden

3rd    Calleigh Burgess & Layla Tovey

Class 29 Contemporary Solo 11 – 12 years

1st    Daisy Beebee

2nd= Layla Tovey

2nd= Hattie Kybert

3rd    Marianne Finch

Class 23 Classical Ballet Solo 11 – 12 years

1st    Noah Morgan

2nd  Ruby Sproat

3rd=  Layla Tovey

3rd=  Molly Webster

3rd=  Hattie Kybert

Class 32 Commercial/Street Solo 11 – 12 years

1st    Lia Hick

2nd  Marianne Finch

3rd   Louella Meakins

Class 33 Song and Dance 11 – 12 years

1st    Noah Morgan

2nd  Grace Smith

3rd    Mia Lott

Class 31 Choreographic Solo 11 – 12 years

1st    Henry Fryer

Thursday 9th March results

The second day of Dance at Highbridge Festival was very busy with mainly 9 – 10-year-old dancers taking part in solo, duet, trio and quartet classes. Many parents said how much they had enjoyed their day and would be entering their children again next year. They appreciated the adjudicator’s positive comments and the lovely way in which she spoke to the dancers. The day was rounded off with Junior Group Dances featuring children from six dance schools. The audience were delighted with the young dancers’ performances and adjudicator, Catherine Ingram, praised their patterning, which she could really appreciate from her vantage point high up in the tiered seating of the theatre. The Dance Section continues on Friday when 11 – 12 year-old dancers will take to the stage.

Class 37 Character Solo 9 – 10 years

1st    Abi Latimer

2nd   Leah Gordon

3rd    Sofia Fella

Class 80 Classical Trio/Quartet 10 years and under

1st    Evie Pheasant, Billy Cook & Rosie Childs

2nd   Esme Stirling, Macey Pugh & Rosanna Upton

Class 38 Lyrical Modern Solo 9 – 10 years

1st    Abi Latimer

2nd   Saskia Gair

3rd=  Sofia Fella

3rd=  Chloe Jenkins

Class 42 Commercial/Street Solo 9 -10 years

1st    Phoebe Brown

2nd   Amelie Payne

Class 68 Cabaret Duet 10 years and under

1st    Maisie Kinneir & Lily Magpantay

2nd   Maja Rogowska & Abi Latimer

3rd    Mollie Eagle & Ellie Jones

Class 39 Greek Solo 9 – 10 years

1st    Phoebe Brown

Class 36 Tap Solo 9 – 10 years

1st    Chloe Jenkins

2nd   Florence Hazell

3rd    Leah Gordon

Class 79 Cabaret Trio/Quartet 10 years and under

1st    Charlotte Pheasant, Hali Langdon & Isla Langdon

2nd   Keira Eagle, Quinn Walker-Blair & Lucy Poole

3rd    Amanda Lynch, Hali Langdon & Isla Langdon

Class 35 Modern Solo 9 – 10 years

1st=   Saskia Gair

1st=   Chloe Jenkins

2nd=  Abi Latimer

2nd=  Florence Hazell

3rd=   Maisie Kinneir

3rd=   Matilda Palmer

3rd=   Leah Gordon

3rd=   Sofia Fella

Class 43 Song and Dance Solo 9 – 10 years

1st=   Lacey Carroll

1st=   Sophia-Rose Langridge

Class 34 Classical Ballet Solo 9 – 10 years

1st    Saskia Gair

2nd= Maja Rogowska

2nd= Chloe Jenkins

3rd=  Maisie Kinneir

3rd=  Lily Sproat

Class 41 Choreographic Solo 9 – 10 years

1st    Saskia Gair

Class 40 National Solo 9 – 10 years

1st    Phoebe Brown 

Class 87 Classical Junior Groups 10 years and under

1st=   Christmas Morning – Signature Dance Studios

1st=   Pirates of the Caribbean – Stepping Stones

2nd=  The Garden Party – Lisa Jane School of Dance

2nd=  Into the Forest – Fox King Dance Academy

3rd     Beauty and the Beast – Spotlight Dance Academy

Class 86 Cabaret Junior Groups 10 years and under

1st    Boogie – Fox King Dance Academy

2nd   There’s Always Tomorrow – Spotlight Dance Academy

3rd=  Superstar – Spotlight Dance Academy

3rd=  Naughty – Spotlight Dance Academy

Wednesday 8th March results

Wednesday’s early morning snow didn’t deter nearly 50 young dancers from taking part in the first day of the Dance Section of Highbridge Festival. The enthusiastic dancers, some of whom were taking part in their first dance festival, travelled from as far afield as Bristol and Exmoor. Burnham and Highbridge Mayor, Cllr Lesley Millard, welcomed the audience and dancers to the Festival and said how much she had enjoyed watching them. The budding dancers delighted the audience with their dancing in a wide variety of solo styles from classical ballet, through tap and modern to commercial and street dance as well as portraying familiar characters and dancing duets. A group from Worle Village Primary School also shared their dance dressed as pirates. Thursday will see 9 – 10 year-old dancers compete, with Junior Groups taking to the stage in the early evening.

Class 49 Greek Solo 7 – 8 years

1st    Sophie Hoydon

2nd   Rosanna Upton

Class 48 Lyrical Modern Solo 7 – 8 years

1st    Freya Jeffries

2nd   Charlotte Pheasant

3rd=  Evie Pheasant

3rd=  Willow Griffiths

Class 61 Any Dance Solo 4 years and under

1st    Ella Bennett

2nd   Isla Miller

Class 50 National Solo 7 – 8 years

1st    Rosana Upton

Class 47 Character Solo 7 – 8 years

1st    Evie Jukes

2nd   Rae Fry

3rd    Olive Gaskell

Class 88 Any Dance Group Primary Schools

1st    Worle Village Primary School

Class 60 Song and Dance Solo 6 years and under

1st=  Alaya Buck

1st=   Evie Pheasant

Class 45 Modern Solo 7 – 8 years

1st    Zephaniah Morgan

2nd   Freya Jeffries

3rd=  Rae Fry

3rd=  Evie Jukes

Class 53 Classical Ballet Solo 6 years and under

1st    Aleksandra Rogowska

2nd   Lorna Emery

3rd    Billy Cook

Class 71 Classical Duet 8 years and under

1st    Evie Jukes & Rae Fry

2nd   Rosanna Upton & Sophie Hoydon

3rd    Charlotte Pheasant & Lily Jones

Class 55 Tap Solo 6 years and under

1st    Billy Cook

2nd   Arla Eccles

Class 44 Classical Ballet Solo 7 – 8 years

1st    Olive Gaskell

2nd   Rae Fry

3rd=  Evie Jukes

3rd=  Bella van Niekerk

Class 54 Modern Solo 6 years and under

1st    Alaya Buck

2nd= Evie Pheasant

2nd= Lorna Emery

2nd= Billy Cook

3rd=  Arla Eccles

3rd=  Grace Gibbons

3rd=  Quinn Walker-Blair

Class 52 Song and Dance Solo 7 – 8 years

1st    Evie Morehead

2nd   Zephaniah Morgan

Class 51 Commercial/Street Solo 7 – 8 years

1st    Yasmin Phillips 

Class 46 Tap Solo 7 – 8 years

1st    Freya Jeffries

2nd= Luke Gordon

2nd= Lily Jones

3rd=  Ava Sayers

3rd=  Charlotte Pheasant

 

Class 70 Cabaret Duet 8 years and under

1st    Evie Jukes & Rae Fry

2nd   Evie Pheasant & Billy Cook

Tuesday 7th March results

The second day of the Speech and Drama Section at The Princess Theatre saw sixty-five excited and rather nervous children from St Andrew’s, St Joseph’s and Worle Village Primary Schools take to the stage to recite set verse poems. A very appreciative audience praised the children’s bravery and quite a few tears were shed by the many proud parents. Mrs Jones, Year 2 Teacher from Worle Village Primary said, “We love coming to Highbridge Festival. It’s fantastic for the children to be able to be on the stage in the theatre and have this experience.” Kim Gilbert, the adjudicator, again praised the children for their hard work learning the poems and said, “I have really enjoyed my time at Highbridge Festival and I am so pleased that the children have the opportunity to take to the stage in such a wonderful venue.”

Class 106 Set Verse Speaking Year 5

1st=    Irina Panaite

1st=    Lewis Carhart

2nd=   Poppy Haines

2nd=   Ivy Kendrick

3rd=   Lena Alvarez-reyes

3rd=   Regan Harris

3rd=   Fabian Record

Class 107 Set Verse Speaking Year 6

1st=    Poppy Thomas

2nd=   Ben Solijon

2nd=   Sam Dodson

3rd      Mia Bell

Class 102 Set Verse Speaking Year 1

1st=    Lily Toogood

1st=    Oscar Aves

2nd=   Harry McErlain

2nd=   Arlo Wilson

3rd=   Dorothy Beattie

3rd=   Thomas Evans

3rd=   Myles Tuohy

Class 103 Set Verse Speaking Year 2

1st=    Blossom Lee

1st=    Marnie MacMillan

2nd=   George Kirk

2nd=   Elsie Ellis

2nd=   Iris Hislop

3rd=    Emi Smith

3rd=    Rowen Franklin

Class 104 Set Verse Speaking Year 3

1st    Hayden Toogood

2nd   Finley Holmes

3rd    Khloe-Rai Dainton

Class 105 Set Verse Speaking Year 4

1st    Max Davies-Atwell

2nd   Mae Bell

3rd    Cody Sharp

Monday 6th March results

This year’s 75th Festival will see 500 children, young people and adults recited poetry, read original short stories and took part in drama groups at The Princess Theatre.

The day began with Choral Speaking as eighteen classes of children from five different primary schools competed for The Dorothy Reaney Trophy. Adjudicator, Kim Gilbert, said : “This had been very enjoyable and showed how teamwork can produce fun, interesting and exciting work. She said that it was delightful to see children of all ages taking to the stage to show what they could do.”

Several groups also showed their teamwork through improvised drama, with North Petherton Primary School working on the theme of kindness, Somerset Youth Theatre Highbridge Group developing ideas about pirates and Somerset Youth Theatre Highbridge Company devising a piece which started with a shoe. The evening was rounded off with short stories by two local authors and poetry recitals by two secondary aged children. The Speech & Drama Section continues on Tuesday 7 March with Set Verse Speaking.

Choral Speech – Dorothy Reaney Trophy

Overall winner – Kingfisher Class, St Andrew’s

Choral Speech – Dorothy Reaney Trophy Year 1

1st    Brent Knoll Class, Churchfield

2nd   Berrow Class, Churchfield

Choral Speech – Dorothy Reaney Trophy Year 2

1st    Bridgwater Class, Churchfield

2nd   Weston Class, Churchfield

Choral Speech – Dorothy Reaney Trophy Year 3

1st    East Brent C of E Academy

2nd   Taunton Class, Churchfield

3rd=  Brent Knoll Primary School

3rd=  Wells Class, Churchfield

Choral Speech – Dorothy Reaney Trophy Y4

1st    Kingfisher Class, St Andrew’s

2nd   Weasel Class, St Andrew’s

3rd=  Magpie Class, St Andrew’s

3rd=  North Petherton Community Primary School

Choral Speech – Dorothy Reaney Trophy Year 5

1st    Exeter Class, Churchfield

2nd   Bath Class, Churchfield

Class 122 Group Theme

1st    North Petherton Community Primary School

Class 129H Original Short Story

1st    Kim Lewis

2nd   Jane Lee

Class 109 Set Verse Speaking Year 8

1st    Amelia Rose

Class 108 Set Verse Speaking Year 7

1st    Kaitlyn Smith

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