STUDENTS from Ilkley Grammar School won prizes when they took part in Skipton Music Festival on March 19.

Ella Shuttleworth, 12, and Niamh Maroney, 14, both sang in the festival at Skipton Girls’ School.

Ella entered the under 13 category, where there were 24 competitors and Niamh entered 3 categories: Boys’ or girls’ Solo 15 years and under, British Composer Class (boy or girl 17 years and under, song of own choice) and Folk Song 17 years and under.

Ella performed I Want it Now from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and although she was nervous before she started singing ­— this was the first time Ella had ever taken part in an event like this ­— her extra singing lessons at school paid off as she walked away with the second prize.

Niamh moved up this year from the under 13s to the under 15s and 17s classes so this was a significant step up from being the oldest in the group to the youngest.

In the girls’/boys’ solo (15 years and under) Niamh sang The Princess by Edvard Grieg. She performed well and came a close second to a winner from York.

Niamh sang Dusk by Armstrong Gibb in the British Composer class and held back her nerves, finishing a very commendable third.

In the final class, Folk Song 17 years, which was considered Niamh’s strongest having won at under 13 level two years running, she performed The Rich Old Lady a humorous folk song dating back many years from unknown origins.

It is a little tale of an old woman who although married and loves her husband, she also loves another man twice as much ­— so proposes to kill her husband.

The song is full of humour and Niamh had the audience laughing along from start to finish.

Although the competition was strong, Niamh won the Renee Shepherd Memorial Trophy.

Niamh performed so well in both classes that she was invited back for a third consecutive year to perform in the Saturday Final Concert.