Winning musicians (From Barry And District News)

Winning musicians

MUSIC in the Vale had brought its twelfth series of Vale Young Musician of the Year competitions to a brilliant conclusion following a weekend of hard work.

The Vale Young Singer of the Year was staged on Saturday, November 8, and attracted 43 entrants in three age groups.

And the Vale Young Instrumentalist of the Year was staged on Sunday, with 32 entrants, also in three age groups. Four entrants from each group were selected from the preliminaries to go forward to the finals.

Peter Massocchi and Philip Lloyd-Evans were the adjudicators, with Barri Hurford-Jones as compere for the weekend.

The Young Singer Competition opened, as usual, with the junior section. In first place was Courtenay Hamilton from St Donats. Runners-up were Liza Williams, from Cowbridge, and Rhian Sian Owen, of Dinas Powys.

The intermediate section was won by Sarah Ellard, from Penarth. Second was Claire Michelle Edwards, from pencoed. Runners-up were Megan Boot from Penarth and Menna Davies from Pontypridd.

The senior section was a battle between two life-long friends from Neath, Angharad Morgan and Nicola Hughes, but finally they awarded first place to Angharad by the smallest of margins.

Daisy Ellen Evans was awarded the Brinley Edmunds Memorial Cup as the most promising young singer resident in the Vale of Glamorgan.

The Young Instrumentalist of the Year Competition followed the same format:

Juniors: First prize, Joseph Manghan from Bridgend (piano). In second place was Rachel Patel (clarinet) from Llancarfan. Runners-up were Louisa Bartlett and Anna Salisbury, both of Barry.

Intermediates: First place went to Huw Morgan (piano) from Bridgend.

In second place was last year's winner Jennie Porton (saxophone) from Cardiff. Runners-up were Bethan Ap Glyn (French horn) from Penarth and Marged Hall (harp) of Cowbridge.

Seniors: Elizabeth Jones (trumpet) of Cardiff was placed first. Second was Nick Burke (tuba) from Penarth. Runners-up were Erin Sawicka (piano) of Penarth and Michael Rose (Xylophone).

The audience had enjoyed a weekend of music to remember given by truly accomplished young singers and instrumentalists who Music in the Vale hopes to see again next year.

For information about Music in the Vale please phone the Secretary, telephone 01446 73590.