• Images by King’s Ely Sixth Form student Lisa Lyu

HUNDREDS of people packed into Ely Cathedral for King’s Ely Senior’s eagerly-anticipated Music Festival Finalists’ Concert.

King’s Ely Senior and International students battled it out in a series of fiercely-contested heats held in school over a three-week period. As ever, the quality and variety of the students’ performances were outstanding, but the entries were whittled down to Intermediate Finalists and Senior Finalists, all of whom performed in the spine-tingling final in the splendour of the cathedral’s south transept.

The final was adjudicated by Professor Mark Wildman, Head of Vocal Studies at London’s Royal Academy of Music.

Intermediate Instrumentalist of the Year went to Year 10 student James Wilkinson (Trombone), who also won Intermediate Musician of the Year. Emmanuelle Yembe, who is in Year 13,was crowned Senior Vocalistof the Year for the second year running.

Elizabeth Thomson, who is in Year 10, won Intermediate Vocalist and the Senior Instrumentalist trophy went to Lisa Lyu (Piano), who is Year 12.

Principal of King’s Ely, Sue Freestone, said: “Every year I am awed by the quality and sophistication of the performances with which our young musicians delight us. They are each winners in their own classes and each of them deserve our respect and congratulations.”

Music is the beating heart of King’s Ely and isthe reason why the school came into existence in the first place. Over a third ofstudents learna musical instrument or receive vocal tuition and the quality,range and variety of ensembles all attest tothe school’s musical pedigree. The school calendar is jam-packed with student-led and professional concerts, workshops and masterclasses, all of which, together with the excellence of the school’s cathedralchoirs, highlight how music is the soul of the King’s Ely community and testify to its inclusivity.