Versatile pupils speak in tune

YOUNGSTERS were in fine voice as they battled for victory at the 27th Oldham Primary Schools Choral Speaking Festival.

The event — the biggest of its kind in the country — saw hundreds of children take to the stage at the Oldham Coliseum to perform a variety of well-rehearsed pieces.

Over the years, the festival, which was started by the Rotary Club of Oldham Metro in 1985, has welcomed 40,000 participants aged between four and 11.

Ann Warr, the Festival’s international adjudicator, was impressed with the quality of the performances across the board at this year’s event.

She said: “The lower juniors were particularly strong with nine distinctions in this age group but clarity of diction in all age groups has improved year on year. It was good to see many groups choosing contrasting poems and to see impressively effective interpretations of classic pieces like Shakespeare.

“Many classes used the space on the stage to excellent effect with some very strong teamwork creating really nice visual pictures. The way children were grouped on stage to enable all to be seen was much better than in previous years.”




The list of winners, the pieces they performed and the judge’s comments




Upper Junior Trophy: Freehold Primary, Year Six: The Visitor by Ian Serraillier and Daffodils by William Wordsworth.

The judges said: “An excellent contrast in the programme — moving from a lyrical to a narrative poem, and both very well delivered. The three characters in The Visitor were illustrated with great clarity and yet that did not distract from the words of the poem.”



Lower Junior Trophy: Bare Trees, Year Four: Please Mrs Butler by Allan Ahlberg and The Snitterjipe by James Reeves

The judges said: “Tremendous expression and good shape to the pieces. Welcome contrast in their programme’s different moods and good groupings.”



Infant Trophy: Roundthorn, Year One: I Don’t Want To Go Up To Bed by John Kitching and Granny’s Boot by Spike Milligan

The judges said: “The children had all learned their parts very well and performed with great enthusiasm. It is good to see such young children so enjoying their time on stage.”



Audrey Carter Trophy: Christ Church, Chadderton: The Porcupine by Roald Dahl and All The World’s A Stage by Shakespeare

The judges said: “The most interesting and effective interpretation of this challenging Shakespeare piece ever seen at the Festival. Excellent teamwork in both pieces and great humour brought out so clearly in the Porcupine.”



Madeleine Lindley Trophy: Crompton Primary, Year Four: Ancient Egypt for Kids by Paul Perro and The Crompton Rap

The judges said: “An excellent programme in which they helped the audience enjoy the poetry of the first whilst teaching us a history lesson and then skilfully performed their own written rap.”



Adjudicator’s Special Commendations

St Joseph’s Year Five: The Way I Am by Gervase Phinn and Happiness by A. A. Milne

The judges said: “A good contrast of tone within the pieces and a good contrast of poems within the chosen programme. An innovative approach to the round. Sparkly eyes showed they were clearly enjoying their performance.”



St. Aidans & St Oswalds Year Five: Wouldn’t It Be Funny If You Didn’t Have A Nose by Roger McGough and Croc City by Brian Moses

The judges said: “Showed clear, controlled rhythm in the rap and communicated the humour very well in the Roger McGough piece.”



Freehold Year Four: Colin (author unknown) and Greedy Guts (author unknown)

The judges said: “Impressive movement around the stage showing incredible teamwork in presentation and using the space visibly in an attractive way.”



Roundthorn Year Five: If You Were Made Of Chocolate by Rupert Loydell and The Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll

The judges said: “Very clear diction for the peculiar words in The Jabberwocky and expressive interpretation of the pieces overall.”



St Hugh’s Reception: We’re Going On A Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury and Monkey by Herbert Kretzmer

The judges said: “The group spoke with understanding and you could see from their faces that they appreciated and really enjoyed the poet’s words.”



St Hugh’s Year Three: The Supply Teacher by Alan Ahlberg and Ma Famille by Rosemary Bevan

The judges said: “Not only being prepared to tackle a poem entirely in French (a first for the Festival) but able to communicate with great clarity to the audience.”



St Mary’s Greenfield Year Four: Drip Drip Drip by Steve Turner and The Owl and The Pussycat by Edward Lear

The judges said: “For using their imagination to bring novelty and a sense of fun to the poem Drip, Drip, Drip. It really brought the poem to life.”