PUPILS at St Anne s School in Godmanchester scooped four prizes in the first round of this year s Rotary Young Musician competition. There was a record number of entries for the event, with more than 100 young musicians taking part in the preliminary rou

PUPILS at St Anne's School in Godmanchester scooped four prizes in the first round of this year's Rotary Young Musician competition.

There was a record number of entries for the event, with more than 100 young musicians taking part in the preliminary round at Huntingdonshire Regional College.

A total of 11 entries were sent forward to the district semi-final, to be held at Northampton Grammar School next month. Among them will be Millie Harris, aged 10, from St Anne's who won the junior solo instrumental category with her recorder performance, as well as the Waitrose Huntingdon Cup after being named the overall winner at the first round.

Other winners from the school included the recorder consort in the junior ensemble instrumental section, the wind band in the junior group section and the choir in the junior category.

Headteacher Anthea Kenna congratulated her pupils on their achievements in the competition, saying: "We are absolutely delighted, particularly as there has been so much illness at school. Many of the children had to learn music at short notice, with a member of the recorder quartet replaced and 13 members of the choir missing.

"Their commitment to the school and their friends is amazing."

Organised by the youth opportunities committees of the Rotary Clubs of Huntingdon, St Ives and Ramsey, with the support of Huntingdonshire Music School, the annual contest invites young musicians to compete in three age ranges from six years to 18. Soloists, ensembles, groups and choirs can all participate.

Conductor and composer Douglas Coombes was this year's adjudicator, judging the entries and giving advice to youngsters on improving their performance.

Category winners also included Godmanchester Primary School Singers in junior ensemble vocal, Rebecca Dowling from Warboys in intermediate solo instrumental, Amber Bonnie Leigh-Butler from Godmanchester in intermediate solo vocal, Andy Butler and Adrian Bowes from St Ives in intermediate ensemble instrumental, Matthew Coulson from Abbots Ripton in senior solo instrumental, Jane Cummings from St Ives in senior solo vocal and joint winners Gareth Pullen and Jonnie Champion from St Ives.