TALENTED tenor horn player Jack Lythaby was crowned the winner of the sixth Yvonne Walkerdine Music Bursary.

His recital of Beethoven’s Romance, which culminated with My Grandfather’s Clock, concluded the event and, unknown to him, was the winning performance.

The event at the Coleford Baptist Church saw a packed audience cheer on the five contestants.

Westbury student Lauren Thornell opened the proceedings while runner-up, Year 11 Newent Community School pupil, Rosita da Silva Teixiera sang sultry jazz standards and well-known show tunes.

Anna Hamilton, of Whitecroft, performed three beautifully contrasting vocal numbers.

Casey Ball, a talented singer/songwriter then took to the stage and impressed the audience and adjudicators with her acoustic playing and strong vocal style.

After all the performances the judges retired to speak to the candidates privately, and following a lengthy debate, returned the verdict that the Year 11 Lakers School pupil, Jack, was the winner. Second-placed Rosita da Silva Teixiera received £100.

Jack’s win of a £500 bursary will enable him to pay for advanced music lessons.

He said: “I genuinely didn’t expect to win it, so the announcement was a great surprise to me. I had attended the 2014 bursary as a member of the audience so I would know what to expect; the experience is different to other competitions I have entered, as they don’t tend to include any kind of personal interview. 

“I intend to use the award to obtain advanced music lessons and think that these will put me in a stronger position when it comes to university applications in a couple of years’ time.”

A spokesperson for the bursary added: “The competition was extremely tight. After all the discussions we were delighted to award Jack the 2015 bursary – his presentation and instrumental control were a joy to watch and to listen to.

“The YWMB committee would like to wish him and all our competitors all the best for the future.”

Jack will appear as a guest soloist at the Lydbrook Band Christmas concert on December 12 at the Forest Theatre. He will also perform at the bursary winners’ concert as part of the 2016 Lydney Festival at St Mary’s Lydney.

Any student in the school years seven to 13, and who resides within the Forest of Dean, is eligible to apply for next year’s bursary. For further details contact the chairperson on 01594 563079.