CELLIST Seren Barrett shone brightly at the Pembrokeshire Primary School's Valero music festival.

Nine-year-old Seren, from Tenby Church in Wales VC School, was the overall winner of the entire event after winning the Open Strings section.

Seren, who performed Latin Nights by Kathy and David Blackwell, was presented with her trophy by county music service manager, Ben Field, and head adjudicator, Chris Llewellyn.

The annual festival, organised by the Pembrokeshire County Council's music service, and sponsored by Valero, was held at Haverfordwest High VC School on March 23.

Over 200 young musicians from the county's primary schools took part in individual and ensemble competitions throughout the day.

Later in the afternoon, an enthusiastic audience enjoyed a 'Showcase' concert featuring the day's individual and ensemble competition winners, as well as the newly-founded County Training Orchestra, conducted by Mrs J. Underwood.

Music service co-ordinators, Philippa Roberts and Sarah Benbow, said afterwards: "The young musicians of Pembrokeshire continue to make everyone proud with their dedication and achievements.

Adjudicators were Mark Jennings (woodwind), Chris Llewellyn (ensembles), Jane Gregory (strings), Sarah-Jane Absalom (piano/harp), Nick Baron (percussion) and Dennis Mahoney (brass).

Commented Mr Mahoney: "I travel across the country as an examiner and performer. The standard reached by these young pupils is unsurpassed. This music festival is so important and something to treasure."

County music manager, Ben Field, thanked the judges, teachers, parents and students for making the festival such a success, and the Friends of Pembrokeshire Young Musicians for their continued support to the music service at the festival and all events throughout the year.

He added: "Once again, we have witnessed extraordinary displays of talent from our young people.

"It has been a memorable day and one which has taken place thanks to the generosity of the sponsors, Valero."

Open competition winners were:

Strings: Seren Barrett (cello), Tenby Church in Wales Primary School; Brass: Faye Katsapi (trumpet), Ysgol Gelli Aur; Piano: Cosmo Karenin, home educated; Woodwind: Harry Armstrong (alto sax), Milford Haven Community Primary School. Percussion: Jonathon Lee, Tenby Church in Wales Primary School.

Instrumental ensemble: St Oswald's woodwind quartet - Isabelle Burdett, Millie Thomas (flutes), Mariana Foster, Ella Bromby (clarinets).

Full results:

Woodwind

Grade 2

Flute & Oboe  1st Betsi Owen, Caer Elen 2nd Elsie Mills, Prendergast 3rd Harriet Pearce, Penrhyn Dewi 3rd Katie Brazier, Roch CP.

Grade 2 Clarinet & Sax 1st Isabelle Blyth, Prendergast 2nd Mariana Foster St Oswalds 3rd Chloe Colman, Milford Haven HC James Fegan Ger y Llan HC Ruby Hall Cleddau Reach. 

Grade 3 Woodwind 1st Amber Tadman Spittal 2nd Martha Lee Penrhyn VC 3rd Clara Reynolds Caer Elen 3rd Ela-Gwenon Jones Caer Elen HC Millie Evans-Thomas St Oswalds HC Mared Phillips Puncheston.

Open Woodwind* 1st Harry Armstrong Milford Haven 2nd Anya Beynon-Krampf Saundersfoot 3rd Chrysafenia Katsapi Golden Grove HC Noah Jenkins Narberth.

Strings

Grade 2 Cello & Bass 1st Sara James Caer Elen 1st Lauren Scourfield Golden Grove Grade 2 Violin & Viola 1st Hugo Absalom Cardigan 2nd Josh Phillips Prendergast 3rd Harry Wilkinson Cilgerran HC.

Grade 3 Strings 1st Poppy Evans Saundersfoot 2nd Sebastian Semaani Penrhyn Dewi 3rd Rhiannon Fisher Roch.

Grade Open Strings* 1st Seren Barrett Tenby 2nd Millie Evans-Thomas St Oswalds 3rd Grace McCann Mary Immaculate 3rd Ella Bromby St Oswalds.

Percussion

Kit Percussion 1st Jonathon Lee Tenby VC 2nd Fred Morris Penrhyn VC 3rd HC Orchestral Percussion 1st Ned Rees-Wigmore Spittal VC 2nd Jazmine Hanna Roch CP 3rd Shelby Hanna Roch CP HC.

Brass

 Grade 2 Trumpet & Cornet 1st Owain Wilcox Ysgol Cilgerran 2nd Gethin James Ysgol Llanychllwydog 3rd Oli Reed Ysgol Arberth HC Zach Evans Ysgol Saundersfoot

Grade 2 Lower Brass 1st Eliza Jackson Ysgol Wdig 2nd Freddy Arnold Fenton 3rd Beatrix Nicklin Fenton HC Seren Barrett Tenby VC. 

Grade 3 Brass 1st Louis Rapi Hafan y Mor 2nd Sophie Lewis Lamphey 3rd Jaap Harris Cilgerran HC Toby Middlemist Fenton.

Open Brass 1st Faye Katsapi Ysgol Gelli Aur 2nd Sam Kelly Croesgoch 3rd HC Harp Grade 2 & 3 Harp 1st Ella Morris Eglwyswrw 2nd Ianto Evans Wolfscastle 3rd HC.

Piano Grade 2 Piano 1st Charles Muehlbauer Redhill 2nd Caleb Hickey Saundersfoot 3rd Maple Doherty Home Educated 3rd Cerys Carroll Brynconin.

Grade 3 Piano 1st Louis Rapi Ysgol Hafan y Mor 2nd Adelina Leka Pembroke Dock 3rd HC.

Grade 4+ Open Piano 1st Cosmo Karenin Home Educated 2nd Kathryn Koo Tenby VC 3rd Tobias Edwards Mary Immaculate HC Iestyn Barrellie Saundersfoot.

Ensemble

Ensemble 1st St Oswalds Woodwind Quartet 2nd Puncheston Harp Trio 3rd Golden Grove String Trio Milford Haven Primary Wind Band St Oswalds Violin Quartet HC Fenton Brass Ensemble.