A GLITTERING array of talent from schools was on display at the Linton Area Young Musician of the Year finals at Linton Village College (LVC).

Each of the 17 finalists had already qualified by winning their heats in three different age groups and various categories including piano, brass, strings, woodwind and voice.

The winners’ concert, held last Thursday, featured an eclectic range of music from Bizet to Gershwin and Dvorak to Ed Sheeran, as well as two compositions by students. Additional entertainment was provided by the LVC wind band and choir.

The awards were adjudicated by professor Peter Johnson, a pianist, conductor and lecturer at Birmingham Conservatoire, and his wife Dr Liz Johnson, a distinguished cellist and composer.

Michael Carroll, 10, of Great Abington Primary School was named Key Stage 2 Young Musician of the Year for the second time for his performance of Humoresque by Antonin Dvorak on cello.

Sarah Cooper, 14, of LVC was also successful for the second time, winning Key Stage 3 category for her performance of Sunstreams by Ian Clarke on flute.

And Charlotte Dunling, 16, also of LVC, won the title of Linton Area Young Musician of the Year for her performance of Fughetta by Gerald Finzi on clarinet.

The event comes just two weeks after LVC was awarded Artsmark Gold status by Arts Council England for the high quality of its arts provision.

Christopher Charlesworth, director of music and head of the Arts faculty, said: “This is the first time that LVC has won the Gold award and it demonstrates our absolute commitment to the arts and their place in the lives of our young people.”