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History |
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| Who actually was Mrs
Sunderland? |
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Susan Sunderland (nee Sykes)
was a famous soprano soloist, born in Brighouse, near Huddersfield,
in 1819. Her natural talent for singing was noticed by local
blacksmith Luke Settle, himself a singer, who first trained her
voice, and she subsequently was taught by other respected local
amateur musicians.
Susan first sang in public in 1833 at a local concert. Before
long, she was in constant demand throughout the West Riding and
beyond. She was a founder member of the Huddersfield Choral Society
for whom she also sang as a soloist, as well as many other local
choirs. As the railway network expanded, her travels extended to the
rest of the UK.
Her accolade "The Yorkshire Queen of Song" followed a visit
to London to sing for Queen Victoria. The Queen is said to have told
her "I may be the Queen of England, but you are the Queen of Song".
Susan also sang before the Queen at the opening of Leeds Town
Hall.
She married
Henry Sunderland, a farmer/butcher, in 1838 and bore six children.
She retired from the concert platform aged only 45, whilst still in
her prime. She and Henry celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary
in 1888 and this was the occasion of a special concert at which she
was presented with a glowing testimonial in illuminated script
(unfortunately now lost).
Susan died, aged 86, on 7 May 1905. |
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| Why is the festival named after
her? |
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| With the money raised from
the Golden Wedding concert, a committee of distinguished local men
decided to start a Vocal Solo Competition to be held in Huddersfield
and named as a tribute to this great Yorkshire soprano. It was
initially for singers but later expanded to include pianists
alternating annually with violinists. |
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| When did the festival begin? |
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| The first "Mrs Sunderland"
was held in April 1889 with 37 competitors - 27 lady singers and 10
pianists; Mrs Sunderland herself presented the prizes. A choral
class was introduced in 1895. The festival has taken place every
year since except in 1940, the first year of World War II. |
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| The festival at
present |
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Since
its modest beginnings, the festival has expanded vastly so that it
now covers nine days. As well as an extensive range of vocal solo
classes, there are classes for adult and junior choirs, piano,
brass, woodwind, recorder, strings and percussion, as well as school
orchestras and bands.
There is also a Speech and Drama
section which includes solo verse-speaking, prepared reading, solo
and group dramatic classes and poetry-writing.
It is
affiliated to the British & International Federation of
Festivals for Music, Dance and Speech.
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The Mrs Sunderland Music
Festival, a registered charity, number 1103084, is a company limited
by guarantee without a share capital.
Registered No: 4963469
England.
Registered office: 68 Thorpe Lane, Almondbury,
Huddersfield HD5 8UF |
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