PUPILS from St Mary’s Primary School in Thornbury were busy hitting the high notes this weekend.

With a recent “outstanding” awarded by Ofsted, the Thornbury school showcased their talent in music at the Music Eisteddfod that was held in St Mary’s Church on Sunday, March 9.

Year 6 and 5 pupils William Wolstenholme and Timothy Mitchell took first and second place in the U11s piano class.

Timothy, 9, took first place in the U11s woodwind class playing his clarinet. The adjudicator commented on the “great potential of this young musician who gave a stunning performance” of Finzi’s Carol.

Timothy was also awarded a third place in the U14s woodwind class playing his treble recorder.

Year 5 student Tom O'Brien and Year 4 student Richard Usherwood played as part of a local brass ensemble scooping the overall prize for the brass section.

Tom later joined his family to play a medley of Irish tunes in the family group section, and sang a moving solo of Danny Boy.

The highlight of the Sunday morning classes was an award winning performance by St Mary’s Recorder Ensemble, a team referred to by the adjudicator Mark Tanner as “a well-motivated, well-honed team with an impressive sound”.

These children played two contrasted pieces by Dumville and a lively arrangement of Umm Pah Pah written for them by their teacher Jane Mitchell.

They were awarded the Connexions Plate Trophy for most Outstanding Performance against stiff competition from other much older teenagers.