An independent day and boarding school in the region may well have a child prodigy on its books after a six-year-
old pupil won the under 18s category of a music contest.
Katy Sludds, a year one pupil at Polam Hall independent day and boarding school in Darlington, won first prize in the under 18s violin solo category at the recent Darlington Music and Drama Festival.
Katy has been playing violin since she was three years old and is currently working towards her Grade One, while she is also learning to play the piano.
Competition judges at the festival – which was held at Hummersknott School – praised Katy’s rendition of Mattachins Arbeau, with I.
Scott, an Adjudicator Member of the British & International Federation of Festivals, writing: "Well done Katy on your unaccompanied performance. It was a strong and confident performance."
Upon winning the contest, Katy said: “I was really excited to take part in the festival and couldn't believe I had won.”
Caroline Law, Director of Music at Polam Hall, added: “Katy has done remarkably well to win first prize in this category.
She has a real gift for music and I will look forward to welcoming her to the senior orchestra in September, even though she will be only seven years old.”
Katy wasn’t Polam Hall’s only winner at the Darlington Music and Drama Festival, Charlotte Crowther, year 10, and Olivia Breckon, year 4, also represented Polam Hall in the speech and drama competition. Charlotte won the Intermediate section and Olivia the Bible Reading for 8 years and under.
Year 11 student, Cara Dawson, was named Intermediate Champion at the festival for her drama performances for the second year in succession.
She won the title after being placed first in solo acting, Shakespearean acting and a sonnet and for coming second in the prose reading contest.
Meanwhile, Jessica Dobson won the violin class and Daisy and Chloe Atkinson and Lipi Chakraborty also participated as part of Stockton’s ‘Singing Sue's Choir’.
For more information on Polam Hall school visit: www.polamhall.com.
Picture reference:www.flickr.com/photos/48205414@N02/8592842194/
Picture caption: Katy Sludds
Picture reference:www.flickr.com/photos/48205414@N02/8592841002/
Picture caption: Polam Hall student, Katy Sludds
Picture reference:www.flickr.com/photos/48205414@N02/8592840794/
Picture caption: Polam Hall student, Katy Sludds