The third and final competitive weekend of the Woodley Festival ahead of the Finale Concert at Bearwood College next Sunday took place this weekend on March 20th and 21st and consisted of the remaining Verse, Prose, Piano and Vocal classes.

During the Vocal Section on Sunday, Rosemary Morris was delighted to present to Sophie Vyse a trophy new at this year's Festival, The Norman Morris Trophy for Best Performance in the Open Recital Class, in memory of her late husband.

Norman Morris is missed by so many in the local music community - not least for his 40 years as the inspirational, founding, conductor of the renowned Reading Phoenix Choir who have been so successful at festivals across the land, and for running his "singing from scratch" courses for adult novices.

Colin Brown, co-chair of the festival, said "Norman was marvellous, the very essence of the festival movement. He and Rosemary have been coming to the festival for over 10 years, he played the piano accompaniment for his delightful daughters, Melody and Lucy, supporting them, yet still encouraging other youngsters with a smile and a 'well done'. Because of this generosity of spirit my own daughter, Sarah, who competed with the girls on many occasions, must have first said "I love Norman" 10 years ago - and she still does, in Peru, aged 19! Yesterday, when the girls were singing, I couldn't help thinking fondly of Norman playing for them at last year's festival, when he must have been so ill. A remarkable man. And now a trophy in his name to spur on even more singers - how apt."

The Festival organisers were delighted to welcome Anthony Williams, Anne Harris Norman and David Kirby-Ashmore to adjudicate the numerous classes held in the Oakwood Centre and The Myra McCulloch Theatre on Reading University's Bulmershe Campus over the weekend.

Juliet Bruce, Chairman of the Pianoforte Section of the Woodley Festival, was especially pleased to welcome Anthony for his sixth visit to the Festival in fifteen years.

Anthony said; "It is without any doubt the most friendly, best organised and child/young musician centred Festival I have the pleasure to adjudicate at and I am so proud to be asked so often."

Juliet said; "Entries to the Festival from pianists were up almost 20% this year. This increase is without a doubt in part due to Anthony's presence. Anthony is a very popular adjudicator who gives excellent feedback and even demonstrates his comments as he talks to each participant after their performances."

Photos attached of Anthony with the Under 8 Piano Solo competitors including the youngest pianist at this year's Festival, Amilia Kei Chew, aged 5, who came second.

Ann Manning and Rod Buckland of Manning UK who sponsor the Woodley Festival attended many of the performances over the weekend and can be seen here pictured with Eleanor Walder who won the Brunel Cup for Best Performance in the 15 years and under Recital Class.

2010 has seen the Festival organisers add an additional venue, The Myra McCulloch Theatre on Reading University's Bulmershe Campus, to host some of the larger Verse and Prose sections. Saturday morning saw the theatre buzzing with Choral Verse Speaking and Group Mime competitions. Sunday, back at the Oakwood Centre, enjoyed the final Prose, Acting, Story Telling and Shakespeare classes.

Anthony Williams is an experienced and busy adjudicator who has written numerous articles and books on piano teaching and regularly presents lecture-recitals and seminars on performance, repertoire and the art of teaching. We were particularly delighted this year to hear Anthony perform a piece himself as part of the Bi-Centenary celebrations of Schumann's birth. The Colin Singer Schumann Award was given to Charlotte Hawkins who performed in the Open Class.

Anne Harris Norman, a former teacher and Head of Drama, has been an adjudicator for the Federation of Festivals and an examiner for the English Speaking Board and Guildhall School of Music & Drama since the 1980's. More recently she was pleased to become an examiner for Poetry Vanguard.

David Kirby-Ashmore, an international baritone whose career has taken him all over the world. Alongside his performing career, David has always maintained a thriving teaching practice and has worked for the education departments of many leading opera companies. David is currently Director of Milton Keynes Youth Choir and Youth Opera.

	Sophie Vyse receiving the Norman Morris Trophy
	Under 8 Piano Solo Beginners
	Five year old Amilia Kei Chew who came 2nd in the U8 Piano Solo Beginners Class
	Sponsors Ann Manning and Rod Buckland presenting Eleanor Walder with the Brunel Cup