Crown sounds good to Thomas

Mar 20 2008 by Samantha Mendez, Rhymney Valley Express

A SIXTH-FORMER at Lewis School, Pengam has been crowned Young Musician of the Year.

Thomas Jones qualified for the grand final in Caerphilly County Borough Schools musician awards on both piano and cello.

He wowed the judges with an outstanding account of Rachmaniov’s Polichinelle at the musical extravaganza in Blackwood Miners’ Institute.

Fellow-student Michael Newman also went away victorious after winning the Young Composer of the Year title for his composition The Lone Wandering Wind.

The 2008 awards saw 150 comprehensive school students from the borough enter the popular competition, which is organised by Caerphilly Music Service under the direction of Dr Keith Ellerington, principal officer for music.

Musician of the year Thomas took home £150 for himself and the same amount for his school. He was also presented with the prestigious winner’s trophy.

A spokesman for Caerphilly Council said: “This event helps showcase the talents of young musicians from schools across the area. Thomas gave an outstanding performance and rightly deserved to take the top title.

“I’d also like to congratulate everyone else who took part in the event and compliment all the entrants on the high standards of talent on display.”