The Cleveland Medal is the highest honour which the Manx Music Festival awards annually to the best solo voice, and the final competition involves the winners of each of the Special Solo classes for individual voice types.

In each class, the singer has a choice of two set test pieces, and can then sing a piece of their own choice.  All singers must use the official accompanist, and in the final competition for the coveted Cleveland Medal, each singer must repeat the two pieces, but in front of a different adjudicator.

This 42-minute programme is your opportunity to hear each Special Solo class winner,  with the performance that earned them a place in this year’s Cleveland Medal Test.

These notes follow the actual order in which you can hear the singers in the programme

Olivia Black was the winner of the Special Soprano Solo voice class. Olivia’s test piece is “My Life’s Delight” a poem by Thomas Campion set to music by Roger Quilter.  Her accompanist is Frank Woolley.

Olivia Black followed her test piece by Quilter with her own choice - a beautiful, haunting art song by Richard  Hageman “Do Not Go, my love,  without asking my leave”.

Michael Corkhill won the Special Tenor Solo voice class.  Accompanied by Gareth Moore, Michael selected his own-choice piece from The Daughter of the Regiment  - a two act opera by Donizetti.  “Ah! Mes Amis - Pour Mon Ame” has been called the "Mount Everest" for tenors, as it features nine high Cs - but it was a mountain Michael didn’t seem to have any trouble in climbing …

Special  Tenor class winner Michael Corkhill chose as his  test piece  an aria  from the opera “Paris and Helen” by Gluck. This is Paris’s declaration of love "O del mio dolce ardor" (O of my gentle love)  Again, his accompanist is Gareth Moore.

Judith Barker from Liverpool was the winner of the Special Contralto Solo Class.  Her accompanist is Madeline Kelly, and  this is her own-choice piece - “Autumn Storms” - one of a set of nine songs for voice and piano by Edvard Grieg.

From the two test pieces set for the Special Contralto Solo class, Judith Barker chose the popular Italian art song “Amarilli Mia Bella” by Caccini.

Matthew Quinn took first place in the Special Baritone Solo class.  His chosen test piece is words by Irish poet Joseph Campbell set to music  by Ivor Gurney -  “I will go with my father a-ploughing”    and his accompanist is Jill Collings.

For his own choice piece, solo voice class winner Matthew Quinn chose an aria for baritones from the first act of Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro.  “Se vuol ballare”  portrays Figaro's intent to foil Count Almaviva's womanizing, but can also be read as a political attack on the power-wielding nobility of the time.   Matthew is again accompanied by Jill Collings.

Debbie Gooding of Douglas is a pupil of Mandy Griffin - herself the holder of four Cleveland Medals.  Debbie won the Special Mezzo Soprano Solo class with works by Vaughan Williams and Benjamin Britten.

Debbie’s test piece is the second of six songs in the cycle “The House of Life” one of Vaughan Williams' finest vocal collections from his early years. The songs, scored for voice and piano, are based on the six sonnets of the same collective title by Dante Gabriel Rossetti.  Accompanied by Graham Kirkland, Debbie Gooding sings “Silent Noon”.

Debbie Gooding - winner of the Special Mezzo Soprano Solo class now sings her own choice - “Funeral Blues” a song written for voice and piano by Benjamin Britten when he was just 23 years old.  “Funeral Blues” draws on the very powerful text of what is now one of W.H. Auden’s best-known poems. ‘Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone, Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone’  Once again, Debbie’s accompanist is Graham Kirkland.

And finally ……. the winner of the Special Bass Solo class  was ultimately chosen by adjudicator Jeffrey Wynn-Davies to receive the 2018 Cleveland Medal.  He is Paul Costain, and this is his second medal - he won for the first time in 2016, and gives his music teacher, Mrs Eleanor Shimmin, full credit for his successes.  Here he is, singing his test piece - “Rollicum Rorum” -  a musical setting of a poem by Thomas Hardy by composer Gerald Finzi.  Paul’s accompanist is Patricia Cullen.

For his own choice piece, 2018 Cleveland Medal winner Paul Costain chose the aria “Il lacerato spirito’ from Simon Boccanegra by Guiseppe Verdi.  In this aria the character  Fiesco sings sorrowfully that his daughter Maria has died. He rages against the absent Simon Boccanegra and then accuses the Virgin Mary of not protecting his daughter. After realising that he has committed blasphemy, he prays to her, hoping that she will forgive him.  Paul is accompanied by Patricia Cullen.

THE SHEFFIELD PLATE 2018 FINALISTS :

JOSHUA MOONEY

ANNA TAMAROVA

ZAC COLLIGON

KENDRA METCALF

EVAN DARROCH (WINNER)

DAISY QUINN

NATHAN JONES

GWEN THORNTON

ERIN LOACH

LOIS MOONEY

ALLAN WILCOCKS - special performance of ‘Some Enchanted Evening’  in the Festival’s Finest concert, exactly 50 years since he won the last of his 4 Cleveland Medals (in 1968)

RUTH TICKLE accompanied by GARETH MOORE singing ‘CONTENT TO BE BEHIND ME’

MANX CONCERT BRASS QUARTET ‘A’ - with two Latin American Dances

AMELIA CORRIS recites her class-winning poem ‘STAR TURN’

ORRY WILSON with a class-winning Manx Dialect Poem by Cushag

JOHN CASHEN (Grandfather of Orry Wilson) with another class-winning Manx Dialect Poem by Cushag  - ‘CALLING OF THE NAME’

TALYA GIULIANI - winner of the Spoken Word for Year 2 recites her poem ‘THE SNOWMAN’

BALLACOTTIER SCHOOL JUNIORS - Winners of the Action Song Class with ‘Rhythm of Life’ accompanied by Gareth Moore

MADELINE KELLY plays LITTLE BIRD - her entry in the Composition Class

THE PLATFORM THEATRE GROUP - winners of the Vocal Ensemble class for up to Year 13 performing ‘True Colours’

MANX VOICES - Ellan Vannin

PAUL COSTAIN (Cleveland Medal Winner 2018) sings ‘If I Were A Rich Man’

EMILY COATES - winner of the Operatic Solo Class, sings The Embroidery Aria from Peter Grimes, accompanied by Madeline Kelly

MARILYN CANNELL sings ‘I Took My Harp To The Party’ accompanied by Gareth Moore - her winning song in the Music Hall and Comedy Song class

XENAKIS SINGERS from Ballakermeen High School - winners of the Concert Class for up to Year 13 - singing ‘Can’t Help Lovin’ That Man’ - the first song in their short concert

A quartet of young singers from SING UP perform ‘Little People’ from Les Miserables

SOPHIE KILLEY - winner of the General Vocal Solo, sings ‘Ching A Ring Chaw’ by Copeland accompanied by Graham Kirkland

THE BIRD AND THE BEARDS - winners of the Adult Covers Class in the Battle of the Bands - opened The Festival’s Finest concert with their version of ‘Somebody to Love’ by Queen

EVAN DARROCH - Winner of the Boys Treble Solo class, singing accompanied by Frank Woolley. Evan went on to win the Sheffield Plate, singing with the 8 other winners of their individual solo voice classes.  Evan’s music teacher is Gareth Moore.

MATT CREER - Winner of the Songs from the Shows class, with a powerful and emotional version of “Gethsemane” from Jesus Christ Superstar - accompanied by Gareth Moore

MARILYN CANNELL - Winner of the Music Hall and Comic Song class with “I Took My Harp To The Party” accompanied by Gareth Moore

AMY SHANAHAN - Winner of the Popular Song class (own choice from 1980 to the present day) singing ‘Promise Me” by Beverly Craven - accompanied by Gareth Moore

BALLACOTTIER SCHOOL CHOIR directed by Katie Lawrence - Winners of the Mixed Choirs class and the Gaelic Choirs class.  All four of their winning songs are featured in this programme :

“Oye” (Spanish - meaning Hey! Listen up!) by Jim Papoulis

‘Can You Hear Me?’ by Bob Chilcott

’T’an Grine Veg Barn’ by Annie Kissack - arr. Katie Lawrence

‘Irrey ny Greiney’ by Bob Carswell - arr. Katie Lawrence

SIMON FLETCHER - Winner of the award for the Most Entertaining Performance in the Songs from the Shows class - singing “Betrayed” from  The Producers - accompanied by Gareth Moore

SARAH QUALTROUGH - Winner of the Leider Solo class  for 15 - 26 year olds - singing “Die Ihr Schwebet’ by Wolff - accompanied by Frank Woolley

ERIC KELLY - Winner of the Electronic Keyboard class - The Cuckoo Waltz was part of a three-song medley

The programme on Thursday 26 April featured the following (please note that the list below is not necessarily the order in which the pieces are played in the programme):

Buchan Falcons - Winners of the Boys Choir Class (up to year 6) singing ‘Creatures of the Deep’ by Alan Simmons

Buchan Doves - Winners of the Girls Choir Class (up to year 6) singing their two winning songs -  'Child of Peace' and 'Firefly'  (please note - the songs are played separately at two different places within the programme)   

Timothy Price - Winner of the Composition Class - competitors were challenged to compose a piece of music on a Manx theme.  Timothy’s winning composition is for clarinet and piano, and is called ‘Traa dy Liooar’  Timothy is playing clarinet, with pianist John Riley

Amelia Corris - Winner of the Spoken Word class for Year 6, with ‘Star Turn’ by Frances Nagle

Gwen Thornton - Winner of the Girls’ Solo for years 7 and 8  - winning this class means that Gwen will complete for the Sheffield Plate on Friday’s Finals Night

Erin Loach - Winner of the Girls’ Solo for years 9 and 10 - winning this class means that Erin will complete for the Sheffield Plate on Friday’s Finals Night

The QEII High School Wind Band - Winners of the Music Making (Orchestras) for years 7 -13 (No fewer than 20 players, but no teachers allowed)  The Band played a selection of 5 pieces - this programme includes the opening piece - ‘The Olympic Spirit’ by John Williams

Emily Coates - Winner of the Operatic Solo class for adults -Emily sings the Embroidery Aria from Peter Grimes by Britten - she is accompanied by Madeline Kelly

Terry Qualtrough - Winner of the Edwardian or Victoria Ballad class singing Nirvana by Stephen Adams and accompanied by Wendy McDowell

Joshua Brown - Winner (with 90 marks) of the Instrumental Solo - Orchestral Woodwind (Grades 6 and over)  Joshua plays an arrangement of ‘Deep Purple’ on saxophone, accompanied by Frank Woolley

Isha Alapati  -  Winner of the Instrumental Solo - Woodwind (Grades 4 to 5) playing ‘Boogie-Woogalie’ on flute, accompanied by Frank Woolley.

Cleveland finalist number 1 - JUDITH BARKER from Liverpool - Winner of the Special Contralto solo voice class, singing  Autumn Storms by Grieg, accompanied by Madeline Kelly

Cleveland finalist number 2 - MATTHEW QUINN from Ramsey - Winner of the Special Baritone  solo voice class, singing ‘Se vuol ballare’ from The Marriage of Figaro, accompanied by Jill Collings

Cleveland finalist number 3 - MICHAEL CORKHILL - Winner of the Special Tenor Solo voice class - accompanied by Gareth Moore and singing his own choice - ‘Ah Mes Amis’ from Daughter of the Regiment by Donizetti

Cleveland finalist number 4 - DEBBIE WOODING - Winner of the Special Mezzo Soprano solo voice class, singing ‘Silent Noon’ by Vaughan-Williams and ‘Funeral Blues’ by Britten.  Her accompanist is Graham Kirkland

TALYA GIULIANI - Winner of the Spoken Word class for 7 year olds.  Her poem is called The Snowman

Cleveland finalist number 5 - PAUL COSTAIN - Winner of the Special Bass solo voice class, singing ‘Rollicum Rorum’ by Finzi, accompanied by Patricia Cullen

Cleveland finalist number 6 - OLIVIA BLACK - Winner of the Special Soprano solo voice class, accompanied by Frank Wooley and singing ‘Do not go, my love’ by Hageman

ARABELLA AYEN - Winner of the Plucked Strings class for Grades 4 to 5 - She plays two harp pieces by Rachel Hair, for which she was awarded 90 marks - and a first place!!   

POLLY GLYNN - Winner of the Strings Class for Grade 6 and above - she plays ‘Romance’ by Shostakovich on violin

KAREN ELLIOT - Winner of the Vocal Solo by a British Composer - Karen was awarded 90 marks for 'Let the Florid Music Praise!' by Britten.  Her accompanist is Mary Frankwick.

DOUGLAS TOWN BAND - Winners of the “Most Entertaining Performance” in the Band Concert Class

CHRIS JAGUS - Winner of numerous piano classes this year! This is part of “Trois Mouvements Perpetuels” by Poulenc

RICHARD CORLETT - Winner of the Adult Folk Song Class

KENDRA METCALF - Winner of the Girls Solo for Years 3 and 4. Kendra will now compete for the Sheffield Plate - the Guild’s highest award for the most promising young voice

ZAC COLLIGON - Another contender for the Sheffield Plate - winner of the Boys Treble Solo for Years 5 and 6

DAISY QUINN - Yet another Sheffield Plate hopeful! Winner of the Girls Solo for Years 5 and 6

KATH BLACKBURN AND WENDY McDOWELL - playing Deep Purple, part of their winning performance in the adult piano duet class.

OLIVIA BLACK - part of her winning performance in the Soprano Solo Voice Class - Olivia will compete for this year’s Cleveland Medal

OLIVIA BLACK AND MANDY GRIFFIN winners of the ladies voice duet class - they will compete for the Billown Rose Bowl - the award for the best overall vocal duet - their rivals will be …

JOHN AND TERRY QUALTROUGH - winners of the Male Voice Duet class and …

RUTH TICKLE AND JOHN SNELLING - winners of the Mixed Voice Duet class

ANNE CLARKE - winner of the adult Spoken Work class. Anne chose  'PILATE’S WIFE' by Carol Anne Duffy

MANX VOICES  - Winners of the Ladies Choir Class

JOSHUA MOONEY - Winner of the Boys Treble Solo (Years 1 to 4) accompanied by Patricia Cullen

ANNA TAMAROVA - Winner of the Girls Solo (Years 1 and 2) accompanied by Graham Kirkland

MANX CONCERT BRASS - “Tom and Jerry’ - part of their winning performance in the Concert Class for Brass Bands

RUSHEN SILVER BAND - “I Wanna Be Like You” from Jungle Book - part of their performance in the Concert Class for Brass Bands and featuring WILLIAM KING on Bass Trombone, who won the additional prize for Best Soloist

RAMSEY TOWN BAND - winners of the Best Hymn Tune (Aberystwyth)

RUSHEN SILVER BAND - winners of the Best March (Star Lake)

GARETH MOORE - Winner of the Advanced Organ class - playing “Ceremonial March” by Herbert Sumsion, on the organ in St Thomas’s Church, Douglas

SONNY HAOCHEN LI - Winner of  the Piano Solo class - Grades 1 and 2

THOMAS SHIMMIN - Winner of Instrumental Solo - Brass (up to year 6)

ANNA BOARDMAN - joint second place in Instrumental Solo - Brass (up to year 6)

OSCAR LANG - joint second place in Instrumental Solo - Brass (up to year 6)

EMILY KNEEN - Winner - Instrumental Solo - Brass  (years 7 & 8)

ISAAC KREISKY - Winner of Boys Solo in Manx (up to year 10)

ERIN LOACH - Winner of Girls Solo in Manx (up to year 10)

HOLLY MURPHY - Winner - Folk Song (years 4 to 8)

EMILY BRIDSON - Second - Folk Song (years 4 to 8)

MANX VOICES - Winners of the Gaelic Choir Class

MARTIN NORBURY - Winner of Instrumental Brass Solo (Adult)

MANX YOUTH BAND “A” - Winners of Brass Ensemble (up to year 10)

MANX YOUTH BAND “D” - Second place - Brass Quartet (up to year 10)

LON DHOO MALE VOICE CHOIR with the Battle Hymn of the Republic - the conclusion of their winning performance in the Male Voice Choir class

ISLE OF MAN GOVERNMENT CHOIR - two songs from their winning performance in the Mixed Chorals class

MEADOWSIDE CHORAL SOCIETY with Vivaldi’s Gloria - the opening piece in their winning performance in the Choir Concert Class

ROBYN-MAE LAWLER - winner of the Folk Song Class (yrs 9 - 13)

JAMES SPENCER - second place in the Folk Song Class (yrs 9 - 13)

RHIANNON MELLOR - winner of the Songs from the Musicals (yrs 9 - 13)

SUNDOWN - our regular Sunday night late show on Manx Radio - went to The Guild for one last time on Sunday 30 April, to bring you some of Saturday's class-winning performances, mixed with highlights from The Festival's Finest - the grand variety concert which has now become the traditional end to the Manx Music Festival.  

Here's the full playlist :

From the Festival's Finest Concert - "The Song of the Jolly Roger" by the LON DHOO ENSEMBLE conducted by Wendy McDowell with accompanist Regina Kaniewski

CRONK Y BERRY SCHOOL CHOIR - winners of the Mixed Choir class for up to Year 2 - singing "Count Your Blessings" - for which they were given 88 marks

OLIVIA BLACK  accompanied by GARETH MOORE  were invited back to the Festival's Finest Concert to reprise their Most Entertaining Performance in the Songs from the Shows class, where Olivia and Gareth were also placed second.  The song is "Sing But Don't Tell" from the musical "Island Song"

BUCHAN BLUEBIRDS took second place with 87 marks in the Mixed Choir class for up to Year 2 - listen to them singing "The Rainbow Connection"

MAROWN RECORDER GROUP - a winning performance from earlier in the week.  The recorder group from Marown School won the class for Recorder and Tin Whistle Groups up to Year 6.  Listen to them play "Step Lively" for which they were awarded 88 marks

JANE CORKILL and PAUL COSTAIN - won the Vocal Duets class on Friday night, and were invited back to sing their winning song  - "I Arise From Dreams Of Thee"  - in the Festival's Finest Concert.

ISAAC KREISKY repeated his class-winning poem - "Windy Nights" by R.L. Stevenson - in the Festival's Finest Concert

LAXEY HANDBELL RINGERS playing "Walking In The Air" - they won their class with 90 marks and played again during the Festival's Finest concert

JOSHUA BROWN's saxophone playing - accompanied by GRAHAM KIRKLAND - made a welcome return in the Festival's Finest concert.  In competition, Joshua's playing of "Gypsy Songs" was awarded 90 marks

In competitions in the Promenade Suite on Saturday morning, EVAN DARROCH won the Boys Solo in Manx up to Year 10.  He sang "Arrane Ben-Vlieaun" accompanied by Madeline Kelly and had 83 marks

ERIN LOACH won the Girls Solo in Manx up to Year 10, with 84 marks for her singing of "Arrane ny Jinnyn"   Her accompanist is Madeline Kelly

Another performance from the Festival's Finest Concert - MANX VOICES DREAMERS were the winners of the Quartet class for 2 soprano and 2 alto lines. "Mister Sandman" was a popular choice and earned them 89 marks in competition.  Their accompanist is Patricia Cullen

JANET HOLLANDS was another class winner in the Promenade Suite on Saturday morning - she gained 83 marks for "Graih my Chree"

ROBYN-MAE LAWLOR took first place in the Songs from the Musicals - years 9 to 13 - with the highest mark awarded in The Guild this year - 95 !   Her song choice was "Vanilla Ice Cream" from the musical "She Loves Me"   Madeline Kelly is her accompanist

ALEXANDRA SLATER - WINNER OF SHEFFIELD PLATE 2017 - singing again the set piece for her age group - the Manx traditional song "O What If the Fowler My Blackbird Has Taken?"  Her accompanist is Frank Woolley

Another act from the Festival's Finest Concert.  MARTIN NORBURY won the Instrumental Solo - Brass - with 91 marks for playing "Napoli" on Euphonium 

MUSICALE won the Adult Choir Concert Class with 89 marks.  They were invited back to the Festival's Finest Concert to sing  two songs from their 15-minute concert programme.  They chose "The Rose" and "Mack the Knife"  They are directed here by Mrs Judy Cross and their accompanist is Mrs Jennifer Bird

MARILYN CANNELL's song to celebrate 125 years of the Manx Music Festival made a welcome re-appearance at the Festival's Finest Concert.  Marilyn not only composed words and music, but also sang it in the concert, and accompanied herself on piano.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

MANX CONCERT BRASS  had a good week with high marks and class wins.  Here they play "American Trilogy" from the Concert Class performance which earned them 92 marks.  Ian Clague MBE is their Musical Director                                                                                                                                                                

Teacher Richard Corlett was justifiably proud of his PEEL CLOTHWORKERS' SCHOOL GAELIC CHOIR who took first place in the Gaelic Choirs class in the Promenade Suite on Saturday .  They were awarded  88 marks and sang  "Yeesey Creest" and "Fern y Clien Click"

MANOR PARK SCHOOL CHOIR were the winners of the School Choirs class for schools with less than 150 pupils on the register.    They were given 89 marks for their performance of two songs -  "Zip-a-dee-doo-dah" and "Seek Ye First The Kingdom of God"

The BUCHAN FALCONS Boys Choir were invited back to the Festival's Finest Concert, and here they sing "One Candle" from their class-winning performance

RUTH TICKLE - CLEVELAND MEDAL WINNER for 2017 was the final act in the Festival's Finest Concert.  Here she sings her own choice piece from the Cleveland contest - "At The Well" by H. Hageman.  Ruth is accompanied by Patricia Cullen.  

CASTLETOWN METROPOLITAN SILVER BAND won another new award in the 2017 Guild - the Gordon Kennaugh Astill Cup for the Most Entertaining Programme in the Brass Band Concert Class.  Listen to "The March of the Torreadors" from their concert programme which had an opera theme and included some fine costumes!

Pianist AMY BLOCH was another class winner who returned to the Festival's Finest Concert.  She plays "A Stormy Night"

ARTHUR BAWDEN took second place in the Folk Song class with 88 marks for a very lively performance of "O 'twas in the Broad Atlantic" - listen out for audience participation in the final chorus!      His accompanist is Patricia Cullen

PAUL COSTAIN - winner of the Songs from the Shows - sings "If I Was A Rich Man" from Fiddler on the Roof, accompanied by Jill Collings

CALLUM BREW sings "The Writings On The Wall - his winning performance in the Popular Song class (1930 to present)

THE XENAKIS SINGERS from Ballakermeen High School won the Choir Concert Class for up to Year 13 with a ten minute programme of songs which included a glorious arrangement of "Steal Away"  They were awarded 89 marks - their musical director is Mrs Ruth Crossley

Visit Live and Local to listen back to the programme in full.

If you listen to Today at The Guild for Friday 28 April, you'll hear another great mix of talent - here's the details :

The programme starts with another chance to hear the solo songs from all the finalists in the Sheffield Plate competition - the junior equivalent of the Cleveland Medal.     Each child had to win the solo voice class for their age bracket in order to qualify for the award, which recognises the best young voice in the Festival this year.  The test piece for each class is a Manx traditional song.

The finalists are :

EVIE SKILLICORN singing "Brown Berry" accompanied by Jill Collings

EVAN DARROCH singing "The King of the Sea" accompanied by Jill Collings

BREESHA KELSEY singing "The Fairies' Dance" accompanied by Graham Kirkland

TYLER KNEALE singing "Fair Maids of Mann" accompanied by Frank Woolley

SOPHIE HINDSON singing "Red Top Knots" accompanied by Marilyn Cannell

ANNABEL KING singing "Slumber Song" accompanied by Frank Woolley

ZAC COLLIGON singing "Hunt The Wren" accompanied by Patricia Cullen

ALEXANDRA SLATER  -  who was selected by Adjudicator Andrea Calladine as WINNER OF THE 2017 SHEFFIELD PLATE - singing "O What If The Fowler My Blackbird Has Taken?"   Alexandra is accompanied by Frank Woolley

JANE CORKILL AND PAUL COSTAIN - winners of the Vocal Duets Final.  Jane and  Paul won the Mixed Voice Duet class, and competed again against the winners of the Male Voice Duet class (William and Matt Creer) and the winners of the Ladies' Voice Duet class (Jane singing with Nici Fletcher-Causer) for the Billown Rose Bowl.

RUTH TICKLE - winner of the 2017 Cleveland Medal test.  This fine soprano was chosen by Adjudicator Andrea Calladine, to receive the highest award which the Festival offers to the best adult voice this year.  Ruth beat off stiff competition from Jane Mayne, John Snelling, Michael Corkhill, Helen Prescott and the 2016 Cleveland Medal winner - Paul Costain.  Listen to her sing part of her winning performance - "At The Well" by H. Hageman.  Ruth is accompanied by Patricia Cullen

PAUL COSTAIN used his bass voice to great effect in the Songs from the Musicals class - he took first place with 90 marks for his singing of "If I Were A Rich Man" from Fiddler on the Roof.  His accompanist is Jill Collings

BUCHAN CHAMBER CHOIR under the baton of Sue Mills, accompanied by Gareth Moore, won the Mixed Choirs class for school years 3 to 6 with 87 marks.  Listen to them sing the traditional Shaker song "Simple Gifts" arranged by Andy Beck 

CRONK Y BERRY  SCHOOL had "Food Glorious Food" on their minds as they took second place in the Mixed Choirs class with 86 marks

RUSHEN SILVER BAND - from the Brass Band classes earlier in the week - a traditional Breton tune arranged by the Band's musical director - John Kinley - for the Interceltic Festival in L'Orient in 2015 which the Band attended.  It's called Plazon de Monde

CHRISTIAN COOPER and NIALL McCABE-O'KELLY - winners of the Duet class for years 7 - 13 - were awarded 89 marks for singing "Dear Theodosia" - a reflection on the responsibility of being a Father.  They are both members of Broadway Theatre Company

Visit Live and Local to listen back to the programme in full.

You can listen to Talya's class-winning poem - and lots of other winning performances - in Today at The Guild, first broadcast on Thursday 27 April and available now to listen On Demand

Here's the full playlist :

LON DHOO ENSEMBLE - conducted by Wendy McDowell and accompanied by Regina Kaniewski, took first place in the Vocal Ensemble class for Year 9 and over.   Listen to a very fine version of "The Song of the Jolly Roger"

VICTORIA McLAUCHLAN  won  the Popular Song Class (songs written from 1980 to the present) with 88 marks - her choice was the Cindi Lauper hit "Time after Time"

KENNETH BAWDEN  won the Victorian/Edwardian ballad class with a truly beautiful song "Asthore"  - a song with Irish origins, subtitled "For My Own Love"  He was awarded 88 marks and his accompanist is Marilyn Cannell

MARILYN CANNELL won the Music Composition class with 87 marks for a song composed to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Manx Music Festival - Marilyn not only wrote the words and music - but in the competition she sings and plays it too !

TALYA GIULIANI  recites  "The Swing" by Robert Louis Stevenson - Talya won the Spoken Word class for year 1 (6 year olds) with 87 marks and is the first holder of the John Kennaugh Memorial Trophy

FAITH WATTERSON was placed second in the Spoken Word class for year 1 - she had 85 marks and chose the poem "Hideout" by Aileen Fisher

BUCHAN FALCONS - winners of the Boys Choir class up to Year 6 with 87 marks, singing  "One Candle" by Beck and Fisher.  Their musical director is Sue Mills, and Gareth Moore is the accompanist

BALLACOTTIER PRIMARY SCHOOL GIRLS CHOIR win the Girls' Choir class for up to year 6 with a programme including "A Life That's Good" and a mark of 87 - another triumph for Music Co-ordinator at Ballacottier - Katie Lawrence 

VLADIMIR STEFANOV won the Instrumental Solo - Woodwind class - with 89 marks.  He played a medley of traditional tunes on the Highland Pipes

VICTORIA McLAUGHLAN sings again - this time her choice is "What Do You Do With Your Arms?" and for this she was awarded 88 marks and first place in the Comic Song class.  Her accompanist is Marilyn Cannell  

JEREMY MIRANDA was the winner of the Spoken Word class for Year 3 - this is one of the set poems -  "There's a Dragon in the Classroom" by Charles Tomson for which Jeremy was awarded 87 marks

KENDRA METCALFE took a second place to Jeremy with 87 marks - she chose the other poem set for this class "The Joy of Socks" by Wendy Cope

ALEXANDRA SLATER won the Girls' Solo singing class for years 9 to 10) with 87 marks for her performance of the Manx traditional song "O What If The Fowler My Blackbird Has Taken"  Her accompanist is Frank Woolley.  This class win earned her a place in the competition for the Sheffield Plate - the award for the best young voice in the Guild this year

ANNABEL KING won the Sheffield Plate in 2016.  She qualified for the competition again this year by winning the Girls Solo singing class for years 7 - 8 with 88 marks.  Listen to her sing another Manx traditional song -  "Slumber Song" accompanied by Frank Woolley

JOSHUA BROWN accompanied by Frank Woolley played saxophone magnificently and won the Instrumental Solo class for Woodwind - years 7  to 10.  His performance of "Gypsy Songs" by Joseph Balog earned him 90 marks

Visit Live and Local to listen back to the programme in full.

Here's the full playlist :

CALLUM BREW - singing The Writings On The Wall - he won the Popular Song class (1930 to present) for school years 9 - 13 - with 89 marks

BALLACOTTIER PRIMARY SCHOOL  with a winning performance of the Charles Chaplin song  "Smile"  They got 88 marks and took first place in the Vocal Ensemble class for up to Year 13

CATRINA McMURTREY reciting "Cats" by Eleanor Farjeon

ISAAC KRIESKY reciting "Windy Nights" by Robert Louis Stevenson

DANIELLE BRIDSON was a class winner with 89 marks as she sang and accompanied herself on piano.  Her choice - for the Popular Song Class for Adults (Songs from the period 1921 - 1979) was a Carole King classic - "You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman"

RAMSEY TOWN BAND playing the Sandpaper Ballet from their performance in the Brass Band Concert Class

KAREN ELLIOTT - winner of a new class for the American Art Song.  Karen had 90 marks for her singing of "Loveliest of Trees" by John Duke.  Her accompanist is Madeline Kelly

MICHAEL CORKHILL - singing Miranda - part of his winning performance in the Special Tenor Solo voice class which earned him a place in the final for the Cleveland Medal.  His accompanist is Marilyn Cannell

HELEN PRESCOTT - singing "Seguidilla" by Bizet with accompanist Jill Collings.  Helen won the Special Mezzo Soprano Solo voice class with 86 marks and she also took part in the final for the Cleveland Medal

JOHN SNELLLING - another contender for the 2017 Cleveland Medal.  John won the Special Baritone Solo voice class with 89 marks.  His accompanist is Frank Woolley and he sings "It Was A Lover and His Lass" with words by Shakespeare to a musical setting by Geoffrey Bush

LUCY GILMORE - class winning harp playing from Lucy accompanied by Jill Collings.  Lucy played traditional Manx tunes - Our Ship Did Sail and Three Little Boats - arranged by Rachel Hair -  and won the String Class for Grades 4 and 5 with 88 marks

GRACE TEMPLER playing Elegy by Carl Davies. This piece earned 87 marks and a first place for Grace in the String Class for Cello Grade 6 and above

LOIS MOONEY singing a Manx traditional song - Home - won the Girls Solo Years 11 - 13 with 86 marks.  Her accompanist is Jill Collings

ANNABEL KING ends the programme with Black Eyes - a traditional Russian melody, and part of her class-winning performance on violin.  Annabel won the String Class for Violin Grade 6 and above with 89 marks

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TODAY AT THE GUILD - 9pm - 10pm - TUESDAY 25th APRIL

Arthur Cowley - Winner of the Folk Song class with a wistful tale of 'Pot Pies and Puddens', Arthur - accompanied by Wendy McDowell - was awarded 89 marks.

Ramsey Grammar School String Ensemble - Rondo in G by Mozart - part of their winning performance which earned them 88 marks.

Sophie Hindson - winner of Girls Solo Voice class for Year 5 with 89 marks  - singing 'Red Top Knots' - a traditional Manx song.

Lindi Nyoni singing 'Sing Soft and Low' - another traditional Manx song. This one was written by Miss M.L. Wood - founder of the Manx Music Festival.  Nyoni won the Girls Solo Voice class for Year 4 with 88 marks.

Sophie and Lindi are two of the nine solo voice class winners who will compete for the Sheffield Plate - the Festival's highest award for the best young voice.

The Sheffield Plate competition will be in the Royal Hall on Friday night at 6pm.

The Laxey Handbells - 90 marks and a class win - no wonder they're 'Walking In The Air'!

A Trio of Manx Voices with Duke Ellington's 'It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing' - Vocal Trio class winners with  86 marks.

Evan Darroch won the Boys Treble Solo class for Years 5 and 6 with 89, for his singing of The King of the Sea - another traditional Manx song.

Evie Skillicorn sang 'Brown Berry' - another traditional Manx song - and won her Girls Solo Voice class for Year 6 with 89 marks.

Evan and Evie will also compete for the Sheffield Plate on Friday at 6pm.

As she prepares to leave, Adjudicator Liz Childs reflects on her impressions of The Guild.

A first chance to hear three of the six voices which will compete for this year's Cleveland Medal - the highest award which the Guild has to offer the adult singers. Each has won the Special Solo Voice class for their particular voice type.

Special Soprano winner - Ruth Tickle singing "At The Well" by H. Hageman.

Special Bass winner - Paul Costain singing an aria from The Marriage of Figaro.

Special Contralto winner - Jane Mayne with a medley of "Sabbath Morning at Sea" by Elgar and an aria from Ascanio in Alba by Mozart.

The Cleveland Medal competition will be in the Royal Hall in the Villa Marina on Friday night.

Manx Voices Dreamers - winners of the Quartet class with 89 marks with a novelty version of "Mr Sandman". This was a costumed performance - nightwear, hair rollers and hot water bottles!

Ruth Tickle

Jane Mayne and Christine Bregazzi

Paul Costain (centre) with Graham Kirkland and Bryan Husband

All photos courtesy of the Manx Music Festival Facebook page.

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TODAY AT THE GUILD - 9pm to 10pm - Monday 24th April

Ramsey Town Band - Conducted by Mr Robert Quane - March - The Diplomat.

Hannah Clinton - winner of Vocal Solo class, singing 'It was a lover and his lass' by Madeline Dring.

Manx Concert Brass - Conducted by I.J.G. Clague MBE - playing American Trilogy - part of their class-winning performance in the Brass Band Concert class.They were awarded 92 marks.

Breesha Kelsey - winner of the Girls Solo song class with 89 marks.

Zac Colligon - winner of the Boys Treble Solo song class with 86 marks.

Manx Youth Band - Londonderry Air - featuring Sammy Clague who was chosen to receive the George Ridgeway trophy for Best Soloist.

Hazel Stewart, winner of the General Vocal Solo class with 87 marks. Hazel is singing 'Make A Joyful Noise Unto The Lord'.

Castletown Metropolitan Silver Band with the March of the Torreadors from their Brass Band concert class. Castletown MSB also received a new award - The Gordon Kennaugh Astill Trophy for the Most Entertaining Performance (not necessarily the class winners). The trophy has been kindly presented by Mrs Sheila Astill in memory of her husband who was for many years the Conductor of Onchan Silver Band.

Some fine piano playing from class winners:

Jared Shepherd

Amy Bloch

Polly and Anna Glynn

Musicale singing Mack The Knife - one of the songs from their winning performance in the Choir Concert Class. For this competition they were conducted by choir member Mrs Judy Cross. Their accompanist is Mrs Jennifer Bird and they were awarded 89 marks.

Toby Crossley - playing piano from memory. Toby's chosen piece is Arirang by Christopher Norton and he won the class with 89 marks.

Hazel Stewart and Caroline Cain pictured after the Adult General Vocal Solo Class on Sunday - picture from the Manx Music Festival Facebook page.

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ANNA RIDGEWAY - winner of the first class on the first day of the 2017 Guild - with 86 marks in the Instrumental Solo - Brass class (up to year 6)  Anna played "Over The Rainbow" on Bb Cornet accompanied by Julian Power

ESTELLE OKE  took second place with 85 marks in the Instrumental Solo - Brass class (up to year 6).  She played the Pink Panther theme on Eb Tenor Horn accompanied by Julian Power

GRACE LEE  won the Folk Song class for years 4 to 8.  She sang "At The River" by Copeland

DAISY QUINN took second place in the Folk Song class for years 4 to 8 with her performance of 89 for a beautiful version of "Ellan Vannin"

EVAN DARROCH was placed third in the Folk Song class for years 4 to 8 with 88 marks.  He chose to sing "The Scottish Soldier" by Andy Stewart

WILLIAM KING - winner of the Instrumental Solo - Brass class for Year 9 and 10.  William, playing "Fantasy For Trombone", won with 87 marks.  His accompanist is Julian Power

AILISH WILLIAMS took second place in the Instrumental Solo - Brass class for Years 9 and 10.  She had 85 marks for "Demelza" played on Tenor Horn

What are the Adjudicators looking for in a winning performance?   Here's a little bit of the ADJUDICATION ......

MANX VOICES won the Gaelic Choir (Adult) class with 86 marks.  "Graih My Chree" is part of their winning performance. Their musical director is Angela Stewart

LON DHOO Male Voice Choir, directed by Wendy McDowell and accompanied by Regina Kaniewsky, won the Male Voice Choir class with 85 marks.            "The Saints Go Marching In" is part of their winning performance.

ROBYN-MAE LAWLER won the Songs from the Musicals class for Years 9 to 13. She sang "Vanilla Ice Cream" from "She Loves Me" and her 95 mark was the highest awarded in any class in The Guild this year.  Madeline Kelly is the accompanist

LOIS MOONEY was runner up in the Songs from the Musicals class for Years 9 to 13.  Her choice was "I Hate Men" from Cole Porter's "Kiss Me Kate"and she was awarded 94 marks.  Her accompanist is Madeline Kelly

MANX YOUTH BAND "A"  were the winners of the Brass Quartet class for up to Year 10.  See how many of the tunes you can name in Alan Fernie's arrangement called "Let's Go"

MUSICALE were winners in the Choir Concert class.  "The Rose" is one of the pieces in their 15-minute concert, for which they got a class-winning mark of 89. Judy Cross conducts Musicale, whilst Jennifer Bird is the accompanist

An ensemble from RUSHEN  SILVER BAND were placed second in the Brass Ensemble class (up to Year 10) with 85 marks.  Their first piece is "Moherentanz" from a suite of Renaissance pieces arranged for brass by Colin Evans 

Another piece by the ensemble from RUSHEN SILVER BAND, who placed second in the Brass Ensemble class (up to Year 10).  This is Pizzicato Polka by Johann Strauss II

CHRISTIAN COOPER won the Folk Song class for Years 9 to 13 with 90 marks for the traditional Appalachian song "Wayfaring Stranger"

ALEXANDRA SLATER  was second placed in the Folk Song class for Years 9 to 13 with 89 marks for "Pokarekare Ana"

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