A superb Blakes Song Competition this year, with nine performances in many different styles, was adjudicated by Guy Harbottle, a baritone who has worked with Les Arts Florissants and the Berlin Philharmonic. Freddie opened with an atmospheric rendition of Somewhere over the Rainbow and was followed by Dylan who gave us Trauer der Liebe in excellent German. Thomas P came next with Bernstein’s emotional Make of our hearts one heart from West Side Story and then Thomas M with Purcell’s famous Fairest Isle. Oliver D sang for the first time as a tenor and gave us Copland’s Long time ago and was followed by Oliver C with Handel’s Silent Worship. Sam took to the floor with Curtis’ famous Torna a Surriento, Rui came next with Ireland’s beautiful Sea Fever and James closed with the second outing of Somewhere over the Rainbow.

Guy commented on the poise showed by all the singers and awarded second place to Oliver C and first place to Sam.