THE Woking Music Festival season came to a resounding conclusion last Saturday with performances by seven outstanding musicians competing for the Young Musician of the Year Award at Christ Church in the town centre.

In the presence of the Mayor of Woking, Cllr Beryl Hunwicks, the showcase award was won by Annie McChrystal, a 17-year-old pianist. Will Everitt, a 15-year-old trumpeter was second, with violinist Nona Lawrence, 14, third.

Annie studies at St Catherine’s School, Bramley, while Will holds a music scholarship at Reed’s School in Cobham. Nona is a pupil at Woking High School.

“This is a lovely event to be part of,” Annie said. “The other contestants are all good musicians and I have got to know a number of them by competing with them at other events.

“I started playing the piano when I was four – I’ve always loved music. I’d love to be a concert pianist or to work in chamber music, but I also enjoy physics so I might work in that area.”

Competitors in Young Musician of the Year are invited to apply for the Woking Music Festival  Bursary towards the costs of a summer school, and this year Nona was announced as the winner.

Cllr Hunwicks, who presented the awards, said: “It was a wonderful evening. All I heard and saw was inspiring, the young people were excellent in every category.”

For information on how to take part in the 2020 Woking Music Festival in November or to help out at future events, visit wokingmusicfestival.org.uk or email [email protected].

For the full story get the 6 February edition of the News & Mail