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Whitby pupils impress at Eskdale Festival
HUNDREDS of children from across the Whitby area have been wowing judges at this year's prestigious Eskdale Festival.
This year's celebration of the arts got under way at Whitby Pavilion on Tuesday with two "remarkably good" days of spoken word performances, judged by adjudicator, Sally Noble.
Festival secretary Les Scott said: "Sally has shown a special rapport with performers and audience alike, giving well-judged comments and many helpful hints for both children and their teachers.
"Audience figures are up slightly, which has been encouraging.
"This has been a wonderful start to the festival."
Eskfest's special lunchtime jazz session starts at 12.30pm on Sunday and features performances from local musicians, both young and old. Admission is free.
Among the classes competed in over the past two days were poetry composition, verse speaking, bible reading, choral speaking, newsreading for television and some children even created their own TV commercials for a special category.
The festival's music week runs from this Monday to Thursday in both the Pavilion Theatre and the Northern Lights Suite.
Pupils and adults will compete in a host of categories for musicians as well as singers over the course of the four days.
From drum solos, to handbell ringing and ladies' vocal solos to school orchestra performances, the festival is also a treat for members of the public who can take in the performances by attending sessions. Entrance is just 1.50 per session.
On Monday evening from 6.30pm, choirs including the Tuesday Singers, St Hilda's Church Choir and the Clare Singers will perform in categories ranging from sacred music to recital.
The climax of the festival will be the Eskdale Festival Gala Concert sponsored by Boyes Stores, who have supported the festival for many years.
Starting at 6.30pm it will feature some of the memorable performances which have been the highlights of 2010 Eskfest.
The festival has been also given a significant boost this year with support from two other sources.
Sainsbury's, sponsors of Sainsbury's Choir of the year Competition, has agreed to sponsor all the festival music sessions on Thursday and, as a result, the festival hopes to be able to send a young musician to summer school this year.
And the Normanby Trust has funded the Normanby Prize of 500 the winning choir on 10 April at the Eskdale Festival's National Choir Day. In addition the festival has had much local support from a host of local businesses and organisations.
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Weather for Whitby
Saturday 19 May 2012
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