Two local talented musicians are one step closer to winning the Texaco Young Musician of Wales 2005 title and a first prize of £1,000 after competing in the regional finals. They are now waiting to hear if they have been selected for the competition's final to be held in Cardiff in April 2005. Steffan Ciccotti, a 13-year-old marimba player from Kilgetty, and double bass player, 17-year-old Edmund Hartzell from Saundersfoot, impressed the judges at the preliminary round in October to be selected as two of just 24 young musicians across Wales to be given the opportunity to perform at the regional rounds. The instrumentalists played in front of a panel of judges earlier this month (November 7) at Trinity College in Carmarthen. Once all three regional finals - organised by Côr Meibion De Cymru - have taken place, the panel of judges will choose the five best performers to go through to the prestigious competition final at Cardiff's Sherman Theatre in April 2005. The 24 students will know on November 27 if they have reached the final stage of the competition. Steffan has been playing the marimba for four years and has weekly private lessons in addition to lessons at Ysgol Greenhill, where is in currently in Year 9. Edmund's love at music started at the young age of four when he started playing the double bass. He is now a music scholar at Yehudi Menuhin School in Surrey. Des King, general manager of Texaco's Pembroke refinery, said: "The Texaco Young Musician of Wales competition has been running since 1988 and provides a platform for talented young Welsh musicians to achieve their full potential. "We continually invest time and money to help us improve on previous competitions, enabling us to maintain our excellent reputation in the Welsh music industry. "This year is no exception. We have travelled the length and breadth of Wales to find the finest 24 musicians and hope we can give them the helping hand they deserve to develop their musical careers and fulfil their dreams. We wish them all the best in the competition and hope they enjoy the experience." The competition winner will receive £1,000 and the Texaco Young Musician of Wales trophy. Second and third placed finalists will receive £750 and £500 respectively, and the two other finalists £250 each. Provided they are in Wales, the music departments at each of the finalists' schools will also receive a donation equal to that won by the individual.
