Over 120 young musicians from each of the County’s eight county secondary schools, Pembrokeshire College and further afield took part in individual and ensemble competitions throughout the day.

Harpist Eliza Bradbury from Haverfordwest High VC School was the overall winner at this year’s Secondary Schools Valero Music Festival.

The annual festival, which is organised by the Pembrokeshire County Council Music Service and sponsored by Valero, took place at Ysgol Caer Elen recently after a three year hiatus due to the Pandemic.

Later in the afternoon, an enthusiastic audience enjoyed a ‘Spotlight’ concert showcasing the individual winners and the winners of the instrumental and vocal ensemble competitions. During the day, every performer who was placed 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in their class received a badge in recognition of their achievement.

Music Service Manager Philippa Roberts proudly said: “After a three-year pause we are delighted to have been able to provide, with the continued support from Valero, a platform for Pembrokeshire’s young musicians which showcases their resilience and dedication to music.

“Offering these valuable opportunities in an encouraging and supportive environment will ensure we develop ambitious, capable and creative learners which are key aspects of the New Music Plan for Wales.

“Thanks also go to ‘The Friends of Pembrokeshire Young Musicians’ for providing refreshments and who continue to support the Music Service at all events throughout the year.”

Timothy Angel, vocal adjudicator, expressed his admiration for the day. “It was a wonderful festival which highlighted the very high standards of the pupils and staff of Pembrokeshire Music Service. It is always an honour to adjudicate and with the events of the last two years, a joy to see so many participants.”

The overall winner, harpist Eliza Bradbury, was presented with the Overall Winners’ Cup by Head Adjudicator Timothy Angel. Earlier in the day Eliza, who won the Open piano/harp competition, performed ‘Ten Past Two’ by Mark Glentworth.

Winner of the Open Woodwind competition was Anya Beynon-Krampf from Greenhill School who performed ‘Nocturne’ by Boulanger. The Open String competition winner was violinist Jenifer Rees from Redhill School who performed ‘Polish Dance’ by Severn.

The Open Jazz winner was Dylan Sanders-Swales from Haverfordwest High VC School who performed his own arrangement of “Caravan”. Dylan was also the winner of the Open Percussion class. He performed “Page 1” by Tower of Power.

Carys Wood from Greenhill School was the winner of the Open Brass class and performed ‘Zelda’ by Percy Code.

The Open Vocal Competition was won by Heledd Richardson from Pembrokeshire College who sang ‘Quia Respexit’ by JS Bach.

The Open Vocal Ensemble class winners were a Vocal trio from Haverfordwest High VC School – Ruby Panesar, Honey Johnston and Libby Banner performed ‘Rwyn dy weld yn sefyll’.

The Open Instrumental Ensemble competition was won by Haverfordwest High VC School Band, who performed ‘Last train to London’.

Pictured is the Haverfordwest High VC School Band which won the Open Instrumental Ensemble competition, with Stephen Thornton of Valero.
Pictured is the Haverfordwest High VC School Band which won the Open Instrumental Ensemble competition, with Stephen Thornton of Valero. (Pembrokeshire County Council)

The invited professional adjudicators - Timothy Angel, vocal; Denis Mahoney, ensemble; Christopher Vale, woodwind; Robin Hackett, brass; Jane Gregory, strings; Bethan Harkin, piano and harp; Melanie Walker, instrumental; Peter Morgan, percussion and Jazz – were greatly impressed with the high standard and strength of schools’ music on show from across the County.

County Music Service events coordinator Miranda Morgan thanked the adjudicators, teachers, parents and students for making the Festival such a success.

“I think it’s fair to say we had a fantastic day of musical enjoyment, and all should be proud for their fabulous performances throughout the day. We are so grateful to the adjudicators for sharing their time with our pupils as well as to the staff, parents and pupils for supporting the event. It is wonderful to see live music thriving in our County again.”

The results of the competitions held during the day were as follows:

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WOODWIND

Grade 3: 1st Carys Williams, Redhill; 2nd Olivia Towe, Bro Preseli; 3rd Angharad Thomas, Bro Preseli; Highly Commended Bethan Pickard, Milford Haven School.

Grade 4 Flute: 1st Dillon Prayle, Haverfordwest High; 2nd Ffion Evans, Caer Elen; 3rd Charlotte Bojanowski, Bro Gwaun

Grade 4 Clarinet and Sax: 1st Ffion Howells, Milford Haven School; 2nd Tom Pounder, Milford Haven School; 3rd Oliver Newboult, Bro Gwaun; Highly Commended Alicia Thomas, Milford Haven School.

Grade 5 Woodwind: 1st Dewi Roberts, Pembrokeshire College; 2nd Eryn Howlett, Milford Haven School; 3rd Ela-Gwennon Jones, Caer Elen.

Grade 6 Woodwind: 1st Livia Pyart, Haverfordwest High; 2nd Ffion Canton, Haverfordwest High; 3rd Josh Geertman, Greenhill.

Open Woodwind*: 1st Anya Benon-Krampf, Greenhill; 2nd Charlotte Lewis, Harri Tudur; 3rd Bethany Sexton, Haverfordwest High.

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BRASS

Grade 3 Brass: 1st Owen Mackeen, Caer Elen; 2nd Harry Thomas, Penrhyn Dewi.

Grade 4 Brass: 1st Archie Noyce, Greenhill; 2nd Zach Evans, Greenhill; 3rd Fabian Fells, Bro Gwaun; Highly Commended Aaron Beynon, Penrhyn Dewi.

Grade 5 Brass; 1st Jaap Harris, Bro Preseli; 2nd Matthew Shaw, Greenhill; 3rd Seren Barrett, Greenhill; Highly Commended Ioan Bromby, Greenhill.

Grade 6 Brass: 1st Ifan Evans, Bro Gwaun; 2nd Filip Middlemist, Haverfordwest High.

Grade Open Brass*: 1st Carys Wood, Greenhill; 2nd Ianto Evans, Bro Gwaun; 3rd Nia Llewellyn, Haverfordwest High; 3rd Iwan Brew, Pembrokeshire College; Highly Commended Lucy Anthony, Greenhill.

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STRINGS

Grade 3 Strings: 1st Tom Bridge,r Penrhyn Dewi; 2nd Brooke Paterson, Bro Gwaun; 3rd Grace Tilbury, Harri Tudur.

Grade 4 Strings: 1st Claudia Couzens, Redhill; 2nd Cosmo Karenin, Bro Gwaun; 3rd Sara James, Caer Elen.

Grade 5 Strings: 1st Mia Burnett, Haverfordwest High; 2nd Cerys Hughes, Redhill; 3rd Gwenna Kennerley, Haverfordwest High; Highly Commended Megan Evans, Caer Elen; Highly Commended Sebastian Semaani-Rodriguez, Penrhyn Dewi; Highly Commended Annabel John, Penrhyn Dewi.

Grade 6 Strings: 1st Sami Semaani-Rodriguez, Bro Gwaun; 2nd Sarah Likeman, Bro Preseli; 3rd Seren Barrett, Greenhill; 3rd Maria Cabral, Haverfordwest High.

Grade Open Strings*: 1st Jenifer Rees, Redhill; 2nd Connie Haggar, Haverfordwest High; 3rd Gwenna Maycock, Pembrokeshire College; Highly Commended Thomas Bowen, Pembrokeshire College.

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PIANO/HARP

Grade 3 Piano/Harp; 1st Caden Jones, Caer Elen; 2nd Mia Burnett, Haverfordwest High.

Grade 4 Piano/Harp: 1st Megan Evans, Caer Elen; 2nd Martha Bhari, Harri Tudur; 3rd Abbie Collinson, Greenhill; 3rd Tom Bridger, Penrhyn Dewi

Grade 5 Piano/Harp: 1st Cosmo Karenin, Bro Gwaun; 2nd Isabel Raymond, Caer Elen; 2nd Matthew Shaw, Greenhill; 3rd Sophie Lewis, Harri Tudur.

Grade 6 Piano/Harp: 1st Charlotte Lewis, Harri Tudur; 2nd Toby Hounsell, Harri Tudur

Open Piano/Harp*: 1st Eliza Bradbury, Haverfordwest High; 2nd Loti Makepeace (piano), Bro Preseli; 3rd Sami Semaani-Rodriguez, Bro Gwaun; Highly Commended Jenifer Rees, Redhill; Highly Commended Loti Makepeace (harp), Bro Preseli.

VOCAL

Musical Theatre and Classical Vocal Years 7-9: 1st Nyah McKee, Haverfordwest High; 2nd Lily Davies, Haverfordwest High; 3rd Martha Bhari, Harri Tudur.

Popular Vocal Years 7-9: 1st Dawid Domonik, Milford Haven School; 2nd Ella Dykes-Brown, Milford Haven School; 2nd Mia Young, Greenhill; 3rd Katya Foster, Milford Haven School; 3rd Bella Carroll, Harri Tudur.

Popular Vocal Years 10-13: 1st Libby Banner, Haverfordwest High; 2nd Milly Evans-Thomas, Greenhill; 3rd Nia Llewellyn Haverfordwest High; Highly Commended Honey Johnston, Haverfordwest High.

Musical Theatre & Classical Vocal Years 10-13: 1st Mia Burnett, Haverfordwest High; 2nd Eliza Bradbury Haverfordwest High; 3rd Carys Williams, Bro Gwaun; 3rd Ella Bromby, Greenhill; 3rd Seren Abbott, Milford Haven School.

Open Vocal Ensemble*: 1st Haverfordwest High Vocal Trio; 2nd Pembrokeshire College vocal duo; 3rd Harri Tudur Year 7 Ensemble.

Open Vocal*: 1st Heledd Richardson, Pembrokeshire College; 2nd Gwenna Maycock, Pembrokeshire College; 2nd Grace Griffiths, Ysgol Bro Gwaun; 2nd Cerys Evans, Ysgol Bro Gwaun; 3rd Ruby Panesar, Haverfordwest High; 3rd Bethany Sexton, Haverfordwest High; Highly Commended Jasmine Morris, Pembrokeshire College; Highly Commended Nancy Mason-Hoskins, Pembrokeshire College.

Pictured with Stephen Thornton of Valero are a Vocal Trio from Haverfordwest High VC School who won the Open Vocal Ensemble class; Ruby Panesar, Honey Johnston and Libby Banner.
Pictured with Stephen Thornton of Valero are a Vocal Trio from Haverfordwest High VC School who won the Open Vocal Ensemble class; Ruby Panesar, Honey Johnston and Libby Banner. (Pembrokeshire County Council)

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ENSEMBLE

Ensemble Grade 5: 1st Ysgol Bro Gwaun Brass Duet; 2nd Harri Tudur Piano Duet; 3rd Harri Tudur Band; Highly Commended Bro Preseli Cello Duo.

Open Ensemble*:1st Haverfordwest High band; 2nd Haverfordwest High Flute trio;

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PERCUSSION

Kit Percussion Grade 3-6: 1st Sam Berry, Bro Gwaun; 2nd Will Rowe, Penrhyn Dewi; 3rd Finn Evans, Harri Tudur.

Open Percussion*: 1st Dylan Sanders-Swales, Haverfordwest High; 2nd Libby Phillips, Haverfordwest High.

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JAZZ

Grade 3-5: 1st Matthew Shaw, Greenhill.

Open Jazz*: 1st Dylan Sanders-Swales, Haverfordwest High; 2nd Jed Davies, Pembrokeshire College; 3rd Bethany Sexton, Haverfordwest High.