Victoria Woodier crowned Southport Young Musician of the Year

Southport Young Musician of the Year winner

Victoria Woodier, aged 13, has won the prestigious Southport Young Musician of the Year award, beating 10 other finalists in front of the audience including Southport MP Damien Moore.

Trinity Arts organise the competition, which is in its fourth year and sponsored by Whittakers Schoolwear. Lorna Brown, of Whittakers, said, “I’ve loved the diversity of the performances, one moved me to tears and others were so extraordinarily moving and intricate, I couldn’t believe it.”

Damien Moore, MP for Southport, said, “It was a pleasure to be here tonight and I’m extremely impressed with so many talented young individuals. They are a true inspiration.”

Victoria, from Merchant Taylors school, has been playing the flute for six years and looks forward to performing at Holy Trinity Church in the future. She said, “I’m so surprised, but very happy!” Her £100 prize money was presented by Lorna.

Runner up was Henry Shenton on trumpet, and winner of Most Promising was Lana Jackson, who played on both piano and violin.

Thirty youngsters, aged between eight and 18, took part in the competition, which saw heats on Wednesday, with the final on Friday 13 July.

Angelina Dorlin-Barlow, who was the first and third winner of the title, is now also national Rotary Young Musician of the Year vocalist. She sang in the interval and judged most promising category.

Categories included voice, brass, strings, woodwind, percussion, and piano.