Opening the final adjudication, Michael Chance thanked all the artists for a ‘deeply affecting afternoon’ made up of ‘beautiful performances’, adding ‘This was proper music making. You have all given us something today that I have not heard so much in recent times – you have all drawn us into a rich, imaginative world without overdoing it and without over-singing, which is increasingly rare, I think. You have done something remarkable there. You have shown us what the vocal art is really about. And you are incredibly courageous to do so. We thank you for that.’

James Black added ‘My Father once told me that “singing is a more beautiful way of talking”. You showed us this today.’ James continued ‘I was glad that there was such an emphasis on song in your repertoire, and particularly song in the vernacular, which I think is really important. That ability to capture the moment. And the fact that all of you… were willing to use colour and text, so that however beautiful your singing and however magnificent the playing…, we were drawn into these different worlds referred to by Michael. And I think this is the effect on people this art form can have and all of you are to be very seriously applauded, at such an early stage on your careers, for having achieved this. You weren’t afraid to make your own choices and display them.’

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‘As a company we attach huge importance to the singer as imaginative artist and this approach was mirrored by our three judges,’ said Lynton Atkinson. ‘We were thrilled that the day resulted in such worthy winners.

‘We and the singers were especially lucky this year to have two truly exceptional pianists in Hamish Brown and Chad Vindin,’ he added. ‘And we are immensely grateful to the donors of our competition prizes: Nigel Beale; Anthony Lowrey; Roger Higgins; Judy and Richard Haes; Rosalind Armstrong and Wendy Blamire - all of whom were present throughout the day.’