A TALENTED performer from Wellington School has won the inaugural Taunton Junior Young Singer Competition.

Year 8 Abigail Govey beat 11 other performers to win the prize in a thrilling final. Other competitors came from Kings Hall, Queen’s College, Taunton School and Heathfield School.

Abigail’s recital contrasted opera, choral and musical theatre styles, with pieces composed by Mozart, Richard Rodney Bennett and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

The competition, judged by renowned tenor, conductor and composer Tom Robson was set up by Taunton Music Festival in response to the ever-growing numbers of vocal entries. It was felt that singers should have their own competition and not be judged alongside their instrumental contemporaries. The competition is open to any person under 13, of Grade 4 standard or above.

Abbie said: “The rules are quite strict. I had to prepare a programme of seven to ten minutes. The atmosphere was electric and it was such a thrill to perform with so many talented singers.”

Andrew Trewhella, director of music at Wellington School, said: “We are delighted that Abbie has won this richly deserved award. Last year, another of our students, Charlie Pemberton, won the inaugural Young Singer of the Year Award, so this is a consolidation of Wellington’s superb musical and vocal talent. We are delighted that the standard of music remains so high across the region.”

The competition was held in the Temple Methodist Church and Abigail was presented with the Cleve Cup and a cheque for £100.

Abigail also won the Rougier Cup for a folk song solo in the vocal classes earlier in the month, when she sang unaccompanied The Four Loom Weaver, a traditional English folk song.