TALENTED pupils from 12 primary schools competed for trophies and shields at the two-day Ramsbottom Music Festival — which is celebrating its 25th year.

Choirs and bands from schools in Bury and Manchester performed for professional adjudicators at the annual event, hosted by Woodhey High and Greenmount Primary schools.

The choir of St John and St Mark’s, Bury, under the direction of Katie Geelan from Bury Music Service, won the Read Franklin & Heywood trophy for primary choirs singing in unison. Second prize went to St Bernadette’s RC Primary School, Whitefield. King David Primary School took third prize.

The same choirs then tried to out-sing each other with harmony. The junior choir of Bury Grammar School (Girls) won the Marshalls Mono trophy for part singing with King David Primary School the runner-up.

The Rotary Club of Bury presented its trophy for best instrumental group to the brass band of Hazlehurst Primary School, Ramsbottom, directed by Michael Golding, of Bury Music Service.

Moorlands Junior School from Sale won the Bill Allpress trophy for best recorder ensemble.

The following day, soloists and small groups and older choral groups competed across a wide range of instrumental categories.

  • A selection of the winners will perform at a concert at 6.30pm on Saturday at Greenmount United Reformed Church in front of the Mayor of Bury, Cllr Sharon Briggs.