Richmond upon Thames Performing Arts Festival 2006 presented the crme de la crme to a packed house in Queen Charlotte Hall recently, writes Julie Hildesley.

The standard was set by the girls of Oakfield School Choir, under the direction of Keith Mansfield, who opened the programme with a beautifully blended performance.

The cultural diversity of aspiring performers from Richmond was in evidence in all sections and we listened with delight to the youngest winner, seven-year old pianist Ken-ee Choong, to Sangeetha Saunder on the veena and to a spirited monologue from Keerut Dua.

Classical pieces present a challenge to musicians and it was well met by Kerem Hasan in his tour de force performance of St Francis walking on the Waves by Liszt; John Paul Ekins, the Hanna Classical Pianist of the Year, in his vibrant interpretation of Morel's Etude de Sonorit, and the cellist, Alex Barnes, ABC Music Young Instrumentalist of the Year, in his deft playing of Faur's Papillons.

Three young singers impressed with their vocal abilities - teenagers Jessica Cheetham, Sophie Sparrow and Jessica Doig, the ABC Music Young Singer of the Year. Adult classes were represented by Jessica Forbes, with a virtuoso performance on the recorder, and by Heather Higgins, with an engaging interpretation of a song from Carousel.

The Dance and Speech and Drama Sections of the Festival are well subscribed in Richmond and one could only marvel at the enthusiasm and commitment of even the youngest of these performers, Rachel Fewell and Rebecca Stoll.

Hannah and Katie Rogers gave a spirited performance of a song and dance medley from Annie, while Sorsha Talbot-Hunt, Gabriella Eason, Jessica Keable and Jasmine Alexander were very much at home on stage in their song and dance quartet.

Most impressive of all was Lauren Stroud, whose singing and dancing compared favourably with talent in the West End.

The Mount Primary School Choral Speaking Group charmed the audience with their rendition of poems by Roald Dahl and Kit Wright. Michael Berry and Sacha Griffiths, the Young Performer of the Year, were also impressive in their dramatic range. Lauretta Summerscales, although only 14, gave an elegant performance to music by Tchaikovsky which completely justified her Young Dancer of the Year award sponsored by the Millers Trust.

The Mayor of Richmond, Cllr Robin Jowitt, OBE, presented the major awards. Anyone interested in supporting the festival should visit www.richmondfestival.org.uk