Claire Jones, official harpist to HRH The Prince of Wales and winner of Young Musician of Dyfed 2000, wants to inspire young people in South West Wales to enter this year's competition. She said: "Winning the Dyfed Young Musician of the Year inspired me to continue my musical studies and gave me a vital insight into the world of performing to a higher level. The adjudicators and organisers made me feel very welcome and at ease, I thoroughly enjoyed the whole day. I would very much recommend any young musician to take part in this prestigious competition as for me it lead to great solo opportunities and in my view was an invaluable experience." Claire is one of the event's outstanding winners, but is not alone. Other winners have gone on to excel as soloists, members of major orchestras or teaching at prestigious institutions. The harpist Catrin Finch, for example, won the competition in 1993. More recent winners, Simran Singh, violinist, of Llandebie, and Steffan Cicotti , marimba of Kilgetty,, have gone on to Chethams music school and Lee Mottram, clarinettist, of Pembroke, has just joined some of other winners at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. "Its not just harps!" says Dot Griew, chair of the charity, "we welcome all instruments." Prizes include cash, performing opportunities and the winner will have a piece specially commissioned for them. The Young Musician of Dyfed Competition 2007 will take place on Saturday, November 24, at Queen Elizabeth High School, Carmarthen. Entry forms are available from [email protected]">[email protected] or phone 01267 237261 and must be returned by October 19. It is open to all young people under the age of 19, living in, or at school in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion or Pembrokeshire, who have reached grade five or equivalent.
