A young Frome-based vocalist has won four awards after performing at local prestigious arts festivals against the best singers from across the region.
Violet Ascott, who is currently studying English, drama and music A-Levels at Frome College, won the awards when she performed at the Bristol Festival of Music Speech and Drama and Swindon Music Festival.
She also performed at The Taunton Festival of the Arts, where she received glowing praise from the adjudicator.
“At the Bristol Festival of Music Speech and Drama, Violet competed in four categories, winning top prize for an unaccompanied performance of ‘O Waly Waly’ in the Folk, Traditional or National Song category,” explained her father, Phil Ascott.
“She also won first place for her performance of I Attempt from Love’s Sickness to Fly in the English Art Song section, which the judge described as a ‘lovely and accomplished performance. Additionally, she finished third in the Non-English Language Art Song category, where her performance was scored at Honours level.”
Violet also won more awards when she competed in the Swindon Music Festival.
“She entered four categories, winning the Novice category with her performance of Somewhere from West Side Story and also took first place in the Song in a Foreign Language category singing Vaga luna che Inargenti,” explained Phil.
“She also finished runner-up in the Songs from Shows and Films category with another Honours level performance, this time of Stephen Sondheim’s Not a Day Goes By.
“She also performed at The Taunton Festival of the Arts in the Young Singer and Young Musical Theatre singer categories, where the adjudicator said, ‘There is much to commend with your recital, some charming vocal qualities… honest and heartfelt.’”
Violet has taken the female lead roles in Frome College musicals Grease and School of Road and she hopes to add to her experience. She also plans to work with her singing teacher on taking her Grade 8 singing exam next year.
Violet said, “It was my first time entering these competitions and I learnt a lot from watching other performers and getting feedback from the judges. I got to perform in some beautiful venues and though it was nerve-wracking at times, I’m really proud of my performances and achievements.”
Pictured: Violet with her awards
