Flautist Amy Taylor from Greenhill School, Tenby, 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 month.

More than 200 young musicians from each of the County’s eight county secondary schools and Pembrokeshire College took part in individual and ensemble competitions throughout the day.

Later in the afternoon, in a change to the usual format, an enthusiastic audience enjoyed a ‘Spotlight’ concert showcasing the individual winners and the winners of the instrumental and vocal ensemble competitions.

The council’s Music Service co-ordinator, Philippa Roberts, said: "This concert was a celebration of the continued hard work and dedication of the young musicians of Pembrokeshire.”

Amy Taylor was presented with the Tim Bourne Memorial Cup by the County Music Service manager Ben Field. Earlier in the day Amy - who won the Open Woodwind competition -performed ‘Andante et Scherzo’ by Louis Ganne.

Winner of the Open Brass competition was trombonist Rhiannon Andrasko of Ysgol Preseli who performed ‘Romance’ by Weber. Rhiannon was also the winner of the Open Jazz section performing ‘Startdust’ by Hoagy Carmichael on trombone.

The Open String competition winner was violinist Eleanor Hodgson of Pembrokeshire College who performed ‘Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso’ by Saint-Saens.

Scott Phillips from Ysgol Dewi Sant was the winner of the Open Piano class and performed ‘Toccata’ by Aram Khachaturian.

The Open Vocal Competition was won by Tomos Salmon from Ysgol Bro Gwaun who sang ‘Cilfan y Coed by Rhys Jones, accompanied by Marilyn Lewis.

Meanwhile the Open Percussion class winner was Philip Davies from Sir Thomas Picton School, Haverfordwest, who performed ‘Brazilian Overture’ by Ralph Salmins for a solo drum kit.

The Open Vocal Ensemble class winners were a vocal trio from Sir Thomas Picton School. Leah Bower, Harry Coombes and Eleri Edwards performed ‘Tears in Heaven’ by Eric Clapton.

The Open Instrumental Ensemble competition was won by Ysgol Dewi Sant Brass Quartet comprising: Scott Phillips and Joshua Swain (trumpets); Rhys Meredith-Barrett (tenor horn) and Matthew Page-Davies (euphonium). They performed ‘Divertimento’ by Anthony Hedges.

The invited professional adjudicators were: Timothy Angel (vocal); Denis Mahoney (ensemble); Sue Brow (woodwind); Simon Howell (brass); Karin Jenkins (strings); Andrew Lamb (piano) and William Edwards (percussion and jazz).

They were all greatly impressed with the high standard and strength of schools’ music on show from across the county.