THE KVU Singers performed new music by young composers at the finals of the prestigious competition last Sunday.

The Sutton-based choir gave the public premieres of the six songs at Colne Municipal Theatre.

The long established choir was heavily involved in the inaugural Young Choral Composer Competition, organised in memory of talented local singer Jessica Foxley.

Also taking part in the concert to rapturous applause were guest soloists Thom Hardaker, a prize-winning Sutton accordionist, and mezzo soprano singer Samantha Oxborough.

Pendle's own PYO Music performed during the interval and before the concert under the baton of Stuart Dickinson.

As the music drew to an end, the competition results were announced to the large and enthusiastic audience by Jessica's mother Margaret.

Margaret, a former member of KVU Singers, was on the judging panel alongside composers Alan Bullard and Jonathan Brigg and KVU Singers president Paul Whittaker.

Alan Bullard travelled north from his Essex home to the competition, and last Saturday led a choral workshop on two of his collections of Christmas choral music with KVU Singers and members from other choirs.

The judges chose the six finalists from a total of 32 entries. The finalists were Joe Davies from Rugby, Fergus Hall from Greenock, Sarah Loughridge from Ballymena, Douglas McIntosh from Cannock, Owain Park from Bristol and Samuel Wilson from London.

The winner of the under-19 age group was Douglas McIntosh, with the song Blue Roses based on a poem by Rudyard Kipling, and the 19 to 25 age group was won by Guildhall School of Music and Drama student Samuel Wilson for his piece A Single Blade of Grass.

In his closing remarks during the competition, Jessica's father Paul said: "Music is a wonderful thing. And the pinnacle of that wonderful thing is live music."

The competition was being held for the first time this year, and has been organised by Jessica Foxley Music Projects in partnership with KVU Singers.

Jessica Foxley, who attended Cowling and Lothersdale Primary Schools before going on to Westholme School in Blackburn, performed leading roles in numerous musical stage productions including Peter Pan at Glusburn Institute.

She sang soprano with Lotherdsale Singers alongside her brother, mother and father, and performed a number of solos in Blackburn Cathedral.

After leaving school she set her sights on a career in music, but in July 2009, at the age of 21, Jessica died in a car crash along with her boyfriend Tom and his friend.