Caerphilly Music Service recently held its annual Young Musician of the Year competition, with over 100 competitors seeking to win the coveted title and trophy.
The winner, violinist Laura Bonar from St Martin’s Comprehensive School in Caerphilly was praised by the adjudicators for her professional approach, and outstanding performance of the ‘Romance in F’ by Beethoven.
Also taking away a trophy was Elizabeth Szymczak, a student at Lewis Pengam. Her composition ‘Skydive’, was commended for its use of structure and exciting rhythms.
The competition was held at the Caerphilly Music Service Performing Arts Studio. The preliminary classes took place during the week prior to the Grand Final. Both the finalist adjudicators, Gordon Kilby and Vyvyan Brookes congratulated the musicians on their fine performances, and commented on their great difficulty in choosing an overall winner.
Caerphilly Youth Big Band has been invited to the very prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland at the end of June this year. They are the first group from Wales to perform at this famous international event. To help raise funds to offset the cost to the students they performed at Newbridge Memo on Saturday 24th March. Along with ‘Lewis and the Ukes’, ‘The Taxmen’ and other guests, they played to a packed and appreciative audience.
Best in Class results
Piano
A – Connie Francis – YG Cwm Rhymni
B – Manon Gwynant – YG Cwm Rhymni (Overall Class Winner)
Singing
A – Lucy Percival – YG Cwm Rhymni
B – Lucy Rees – YG Cwm Rhymni (Overall Class Winner)
Strings
A – Anwen Mai Thomas – YG Cwm Rhymni
B – Eluned Hollyman – YG Cwm Rhymni and Lewis Brace – St. Martins
C – Laura Bonar – St. Martin’s (Overall Class Winner)
Woodwind
A – Kate Mainwaring – Pontllanfraith
B – Peter Griffiths – YG Cwm Rhymni
C – Tomos Nicholls – Lewis Pengam (Overall Class Winner)
Brass
A – Cerys Diamond-Smith St. Martins
B – Omri Tau – St. Martins (Overall Class Winner)
C – Laura Mullins – Lewis Pengam
Percussion
A – Heledd Gwynant – YG Cwm Rhymni (Overall Class Winner)
B – Omri Tau – St. Martins
C – Richard Morgan – Lewis Pengam
Composition
Elizabeth Szymczak – Lewis Pengam (Overall Class Winner)