TUBA player Aled Meredith-Barrett from Ysgol Dewi Sant was the overall winner at this year’s Secondary Schools Valero Music Festival.

The annual festival, organised by the Pembrokeshire County Council Music Service and sponsored by Valero, took place at Sir Thomas Picton School in Haverfordwest last Saturday (Nov 14).

Over 200 young musicians from the county’s eight county secondary schools took part in individual and ensemble competitions throughout the day.

Later in the evening an enthusiastic audience enjoyed a special concert showcasing the individual winners and the winners of the instrumental and vocal ensemble competitions.

Every secondary school in the county was represented by their school band or orchestra.

The overall winner Aled Meredith-Barrett was presented with the Tim Bourne Memorial Cup by County Music Coordinator, Chris Llewellyn.

Earlier in the evening Aled, who won the Open Brass competition, had performed the 1st movement of the Tuba Concerto by Edward Gregson.

Winner of the Open Woodwind competition was flautist Daniel Jones from Tasker Milward and the Open String competition winner was violinist Eleanor Hodgson from Pembrokeshire College.

The Open Jazz competition winner was guitarist Matthew Collins and Anna Phillips from Castle School was the winner of the Open Piano class.

The Open Vocal Competition was won by Aaron Kendall from Sir Thomas Picton School.

Meanwhile the Open Percussion class winner was Joey Robbins from Ysgol Y Preseli.

The Open Vocal Ensemble class winners were the year 10 vocal group of Eve Pritchard, Eleri Edwards and Leah Bower from Sir Thomas Picton.

The Open Instrumental Ensemble competition was won by Tasker Milward Baroque Trio of Ben Richards, Luzelle Davies and Daniel Jones.

County Music Coordinator and Festival MC Chris Llewellyn thanked the adjudicators, teachers, parents and students for making the Festival such a success.

“Once again the strength and quality of Pembrokeshire Schools’ music is evident at this event,” he said.