A TALENTED young singer has taken the top prize in a Chester school’s music festival.

Sophie Rowland, 16, won the new Amy Underhill Trophy at the annual Queen’s School Festival of Music, formerly known as the Anna Markland Festival.

The crystal trophy was created in memory of Amy Underhill, a former pupil of the school, who died in a car accident in 2007. It is awarded for the outstanding performance of the festival.

Sophie, of Tarporley, won the Advanced Classical Vocal class of the festival with her rendition of Music for a While by Henry Purcell.

Judges Kathy Rundell, head of music at Manchester High School for Girls, Claire Dunham, a professional pianist and Susie Braime, a professional singer, were impressed with her performance.

Claire said: “Sophie’s performance was breathtaking. At 16 her voice is already a beautiful instrument and she sang with poise and a maturity of musicianship.”

More than 130 girls competed in 15 classes, performing musical styles from drum kit improvisations to grand opera.

Claire added: “The standard of vocal, instrumental and ensemble performance was higher than ever this year.”

WINNERS

Preliminary Piano: Jessica Roberts, Year 12: Intermediate Piano: Aíne Jackson, Year 9 and Eleanor Tedstone 11: Advanced Piano: Shreya Ingley, Year 9; Preliminary Wind: Eleanor Morrison, Year 7 (saxophone); Intermediate Wind: Zara Turtle, Year 11 (saxophone); Advanced Wind: Zara Turtle, Year 11 (flute); Preliminary Strings, Isobel Pugh, Year 7 (classical guitar); Intermediate Strings: Jennifer Robinson, Year 9 (violin); Advanced Strings: Eleanor Tedstone, Year 11 (viola); Preliminary Vocal, Rachel Kewin, Year 7; Intermediate Classical Vocal, Ruth Hoare, Year 7; Intermediate Popular Vocal: Emma Dawson, Year 10; Advanced Classical Vocal: Sophie Rowland; Advanced Popular Vocal: Mary Byrom; Open Ensemble: Mary Byrom, Bethany Griffiths, Lydia Williams (voice trio); Piano Duet: Shreya Ingley and Mishia Leggett; Drum Kit: Rebecca Spaven, Year 11

CUP WINNERS

The Piano Trophy: Shreya Ingley ; The String Trophy: Eleanor Tedstone; The Swann Woodwind Trophy: Zara Turtle; The Gill Church Brass Cup: Aíne Jackson; The Ann Brotherhood Vocal Trophy: Sophie Rowland; The Junior Vocal Trophy: Rachel Kewin; The James/Surfleet Open Ensemble Trophy: Mary Byrom, Bethany Griffiths, Lydia Williams; The Piano Duet Cup: Shreya Ingley and Mishia Leggett; Highly Commended Performance Trophy: Rebecca Spaven; The Runner-up Trophy: Eleanor Tedstone; The Amy Underhill Trophy for the outstanding performance of the festival: Sophie Rowland