Chester Music Society recently held its annual awards evening, celebrating young talent whilst honouring its late members.

Following on from last year's competition, the winners and runners up were invited by the society to receive their prizes and take part in a special concert at St Mary's Creative Space in Chester.

This year, the newly renamed David Woods Trophy was presented in memory of the late David Woods, the driving force behind the 'Chester Young Musician Competition', since 2011.

When Mr. Woods had to stand down due to ill health, the winner's award was renamed in his honour.

Now the competition has been dedicated to the memory of Mr. Woods, who passed away in October last year.

The winner of each class was awarded a prize of £100, with the overall winner, Yurij Szyrokyj, crowned 'Chester Young Musician of the Year', receiving an additional prize of £250. 

The Society also presented a new award this year, in honour of the late Lila Hallett.

Mrs. Hallett, who passed away in 2018, was a key member of CMS for over 30 years.

She was instrumental in proposing the Young Musician of Chester competition and helping to establish the Chester Music Society Youth Choir in 1988.

She devoted her life to participating in and involving others, especially young people, in music.

The trophy was given in her memory by her daughters Jane and Claire. The latter now organises the competition for the society.

James Ashcroft was presented with a trophy for electric guitar, as the most promising runner up from classes one and two.

The society also awarded bursaries of £500 to a pair of outstanding competitors, who present the potential to become full-time musicians.

The aim of the bursaries is to help recipients to further their musical ambitions. This year, they were awarded to Yurij Szyrokyj for piano and Rory Winn, trombone.

Award winners included Melicia Huang for harp, Harmony Zhang for piano, Rory Winn for trombone, Thea Ormrod for trumpet, Yurij Szyrokyj for piano and Daniel Goharriz for clarinet.

Chester Music Society stages a full season of concerts featuring both international artists and local performers.

Full details of all upcoming concerts and events can be found here, where tickets can be booked online.