Music in the air as record numbers join school event

Pembrokeshire Music Service welcomed nearly 600 young musicians to share their musical talents with a delighted audience at Ysgol Caer Elen on Saturday, 14^th March.

Hafan y Môr pupil Carys Meiring was crowned the overall winner of this year’s festival, following a fantastic performance of ‘Let’s call the whole thing off’ on trombone. Carys won the open brass class earlier in the day.

The afternoon Spotlight concert opened with a bang as young players from across the County’s Second Steps ensembles joined forces to perform together.

The concert also featured performances from pupils who had won the open classes earlier in the day.

The open woodwind class was won by Osian Kite from Roch CP School, who performed ‘sentimental serenade’ on alto saxophone.

Cadi Marshall-Jones of Ysgol Bro Preseli was the winner of the open piano and harp class. She performed ‘Over the sea to Skye’ on the harp.

Open strings was won by Roch CP School cellist Mari Broomfield, who performed ‘Vamoose.’

Ysgol Caer Elen pupil Aled Hooper was winner of the open percussion class. He performed ‘Are you gonna go my way’ on drum kit.

The open ensemble winners were Tavernspite piano duet, Finn Hickman and Evelyn James, who gave a beautiful rendition of Handel’s ‘Passacaglia.’

Head of Pembrokeshire Music Service, Philippa Roberts, said: “Pembrokeshire Music Service is proud to deliver the Valero Music Festival, offering an exciting musical opportunity to nearly 600 young performers from across the county.

“Providing children with the chance to perform, shine, and receive supportive feedback from professional musicians is incredibly powerful and helps build confidence that lasts. In line with the Music Plan for Wales, we remain committed to creating meaningful musical experiences for children throughout Pembrokeshire. Our sincere thanks go to Valero for their fantastic support in making this celebration of young talent possible.”

Pictured are overall winner Carys Meiring of Ysgol Hafan y Môr, and open winners L-R: Miranda Morgan (music coordinator), Mari Broomfield (open strings), Finn Hickman & Evelyn James (open ensemble), Osian Kite (open woodwind), Aled Hooper (open percussion),Carys Meiring (open brass), Cadi Marshall-Jones (open piano & harp) and Philippa Roberts (Head of Pembrokeshire Music Service). 

Primary Valero 2026 Results

Woodwind

Grade 1

1^st – Iolo Thomas, Bro Ingli

2^nd – Sophie Gladstone, Redhill

3^rd – Harley Sandell, Johnston CP

Grade 2

1^st - Mia John, Mary Immaculate

2^{nd -} Maiya Cunliffe, Cleddau Reach

3^rd - Alexa Baldry, MHCPS

H/C Tomos Morgans, Ysgol Brynconin

Open woodwind

1^st - Osian Kite, Roch

2^nd - Phoebe Rees, Coastlands

3^rd - Toby Barn, Johnston

Brass

Grade 1

1^st – Wilff Slade-Davies, Llanychllwydog

2^nd – Clara Morgan, Tenby VC

3^rd - Mabli Evans,Tenby VC

H/C Steffan Hughes, Croesgoch & Finlay Ashby, Glannau Gwaun

Grade 2

1^st - Noah Lewis, Wdig

2^nd – Chester Price, Tenby VC & Will Picton, Gelliswick

Open brass

1^st - Carys Meiring, Hafan y Mor

2^nd - Iolo Sims, Caer Elen and Henry Slade-Davies, Llanychllwydog

3^rd - Phoebe Jones, Hafan y Mor

H/C - TJ Stewart, Glannau Gwaun and Aria White, Saundersfoot

Strings

Grade 1

1^st - Suki-Rose Heulwen, Bro Penfro

2^nd - Mila Bowen, Glannau Gwaun

3rd - Edward Batchelor, Caer Elen

H/C    Lennox Smith, Mary Immaculate

          Layla Astour, Glannau Gwaun

          Lydia Richards, St Marks

Open strings

1^st - Mari Broomfield, Roch

2^nd - Denisa Rusu, Saundersfoot

3^rd - Alice Ng, Caer Elen

Piano & harp

Grade 1 piano

1^st - Maiya Cunliffe, Cleddau Reach

2^nd - Carys James, Maenclochog

3^rd - Evelyn Ward, Bro Preseli

H/C - Lily Rose Burrows

Grade 1 harp

1^st - Lyla Wapner Carter, Caer Elen

2^nd - Carys Owen, Ger Y Llan

3^rd - Amber Hartt, Narberth and Mabli Richmond, Bro Preseli

Grade 2 piano

1^st - Evelyn James, Tavernspite

2^nd – Michael Aulehla-Atkin, Caer Elen

3^rd – Carys Meiring, Hafan y mor        

H/C    Euan Fukuda-James, Narberth

Grade 2 harp

1^st - Efa John, Maenclochog

2^nd - Ethan Dunkeld, Cilgerran

3^rd - Ruby Robinson, Caer Elen

H/C - Freya Kitchell, Croesgoch

Open piano & harp

1^st - Cadi Marshall-Jones, Bro Preseli

2^nd - Alice Thomas, St Oswalds

3^rd – Seth Morris, Croesgoch

H/C – Theia Tiller, Bro Ingli

Percussion

Grade 1 drum kit

1^st – Luca Rebiga, Saundersfoot

2^nd – Indy Saunders, YPD

3^rd – Albie Jenkins, Maenclochog

H/C    Florence Titley, Coastlands         

Rafferty Gale, YPD

          Griff McFarlane, Caer Elen          

Destiny Leigh, Tenby VC

Open drum kit

1^st - Aled Hooper, Caer Elen

2^nd - Ollie Holloway, Roch

3^rd - Emmie Fisherty, Tenby VC

H/C Edward Batchelor, Caer Elen

        Beth Slowgrove, Prendergast

        Alexis Bicknell, Prendergast

Ensembles

1^st – Tavernspite piano duet (Finn Hickman & Evelyn James)

2^nd – Templeton flute duo (Eleanor Canney & Jessica Lambert)

3^rd – Saundersfoot School Orchestra