It was a night of extraordinary talent and poise as Cowbridge School hosted the Area Round of the Rotary Young Musician competition this past Tuesday. Our school hall was transformed into a premier concert venue, providing a professional stage for some of the region's most promising performers to showcase their dedication to the arts.

The event drew high-calibre competitors from as far afield as Swansea, all travelling to Cowbridge to perform in front of a panel of three esteemed musicians. Among the adjudicators was Matt Hardy, the Principal Timpanist and Percussionist of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. The panel was thoroughly impressed by the standard of the evening, commending all involved for their excellent and professional performances.

We are immensely proud to report that Cowbridge pupils excelled themselves both on and off the stage. The evening was marked by a wonderful sense of community, as a large number of senior pupils attended the event specifically to support their peers, creating an atmosphere of encouragement and shared pride.

Award-Winning Performances

The spotlight belonged to Gwenan Jones and Gethin Budden, both of whom performed incredibly advanced and challenging repertoires.

Gwenan Jones captivated the audience and judges alike in the vocal category. Her programme required immense technical control and emotional depth, featuring:

• Pie Jesu by Faure
• Verborgenheit by Hugo Wolf
• Chanson Triste by Henri Duparc

On the instrumental side, Gethin Budden demonstrated remarkable maturity and precision. His performance of two delicate yet demanding pieces resonated throughout the hall:

• La Fille aux Cheveux de Lin by Debussy
• Pathetique Sonata, Mvt II by Beethoven

Their hard work and artistry were justly rewarded, with Gwenan winning the Vocal Category and Gethin winning the Instrumental Category. Both students will now progress to the next round of this esteemed national competition. Huge congratulations to them!