Published Monday 15 March 2021 at 14:03
Eleven year old, Ryleigh Perry has been announced, by Darwen School of Music as the winner of The Voice of Darwen 2021.
Ryleigh will now fulfil his dream of professionally recording and releasing a single online.
Becks Perry, Ryleigh’s Mother, said;
Ryleigh has worked so hard, learning and writing songs and practicing every day to get where he wants to be in life. To win the competition and release his own single with Paul at Darwen School of Music is an amazing opportunity. He is overwhelmed by all the support and is over the moon at coming first. We are all so proud of him!
Blackburn with Darwen Council have supported the first The Voice of Darwen Competition run by Darwen School of Music.
Darwen East Councillor, Jane Oates, said;
We have been delighted that this competition has given the opportunity for people to show their talents. Well done to all those who took part, the standard was so high. Congratulations to Ryleigh the winner, I hope that this is the next stepping stone for him on his musical journey!
The competition saw 10 entrants compete for the title and the public were then asked to vote via social media to decide who the winner was.
Paul Stuart Davies, organiser and vocal coach at Darwen School of Music:
We ran ‘The Voice of Darwen’ to try something a little different and to encourage people in Darwen to continue using their talents whilst in lockdown. So many people were asking for singing lessons when I couldn’t invite them down for a lesson, so we thought this was a way of giving them something to get involved with whilst we all waited to return to our music school lessons.
He went on to say;
We had some fantastic entries, both from students of the music school and from singers unknown to us. There was a great range of musical styles and ages, with one entrant having even been on Tom Jones team on The Voice UK!
Finally Paul, commented;
Singing is great for people’s well-being and we have had to take on more tutors at Darwen School of Music to keep up with the demand for lessons that we’re getting coming out of lockdown, which is wonderful. A big thank you to Darwen Town Centre and Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council for sponsoring the competition.
If you want to get involved with Darwen School of Music visit www.darwenschoolofmusic.co.uk.