YOUNG musicians excelled in the Darlington Festival for Performing Arts at the weekend.

The music section of the festival was held on Friday and Saturday at Haughton Community School.

Organisers said the number of competitors was slightly down on last year, but the standard of performance remained high.

The adjudicators commended the performances of the Barbershop singers and the Polam Hall Senior Orchestra.

Richard Gratwick, violin, in the concerto class was also praised.

Councillors Frank and Stella Robson presented some of the trophies at the prizegiving.

The competitiors were awarded marks out of 100. Winners were:

Piano duet 11 and under, Suzie Millar and Isaac Louth, 89.

Vocal solo 12 and under, Brittany Knowles, 88.

Vocal solo light opera, musical show or film 17 and over, Janet Robinson, 88.

Vocal solo operatic aria, Charlotte Broadbent, 86.

Vocal solo British composer, Linda Land, 85.

Vocal solo 15 and under, Georgia McIntyre, 89.

Vocal solo light opera, musical show or film 16 and under, Georgia McIntyre, 89.

Vocal solo lieder, Jacqueline Taylor, 84.

Vocal solo, Janet Robinson, 88.

Woodwind solo 15 and under, Katia Sartini, 86.

Vocal ensemble/choir 19 and under, Polam Hall Senior Choir, 86.

Vocal solo oratorio/sacred, Ann Watton, 86.

Vocal solo recital, Janet Robinson, 88.

Orchestral/ensemble 13 and under, Polam Hall Lower Strings, 89.

Orchestra/ensemble class 1, Polam Hall Senior Orchestra, 90.

Vocal ensemble/choir 13 and under: Abbey Junior School, 86.

String solo nine and under, Tasmin Currington, 86.

String solo 14 and under, Harriet Bradshaw, 86.

String solo any instrument 14 years and under, Marcus Sims, 87.

Woodwind solo any Instrument nine and under, Joanne Sayer, 86.

Wind band/ensemble, Elm Ridge Flute Quartet, 86.

Junior music-making 11 and under, Elm Ridge Junior Group, 86.

Recorder duet 15 and under, Antonia Smith and Clare Stebbings, 84.

Recorder consort, Mount Pleasant Consort, 82.

Woodwind solo 12 and under, Alice Woods, 86.

Woodwind solo, Anice Neville, 86.

Composition, Anice Neville, 86.

Piano solo 18 and under, Marcus Sims, 88.

Concerto class, Richard Gratwick, 90.

Brass band/ensemble, Darlington Youth Brass Band, 88.

Vocal solo, Janet Robinson, 86.

Piano solo eight and under, Catherine Ward, 84.

Piano solo ten and under, Hannah Wilkinson, 85.

Piano solo 12 and under, Alan Herbert, 87.

Piano solo 15 and under, Chloe Leen, 85.

Barbershop chorus/mixed, Mixed Company, 84.

Barbershop quartet/mixed, Pick 'N' Mix, 86.

Pick 'N' Mix also won the Rington Trophy for the highest marks in Classes 149 and 150.