Top young musicians from the County Borough have successfully auditioned for places in the National Youth Ensembles.

The school pupils are all committed members to various bands, orchestras and choirs run by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Music Services Department.

A total of seventeen pupils have successfully won places in either the National Youth Choir of Wales, National Youth Jazz Orchestra of Wales, and the National Youth Training Choir of Wales, with two achieving places with the National Youth Orchestra of Wales.

The pupils photographed are Back row L-R Mitchell Rees, Huw Blainey, Tomos Watkins, Nathan Dearden, Huw Cook, Nathan Jones, Daniel Richards. Front Row L-R Ellie Davies, Nicoletta Allen and Siobhan

They all underwent a stringent audition as competition for places is extremely steep. Belonging to one of the National Ensembles means intense rehearsals at residential courses throughout Wales and a series of concerts around the country.

One of the first residential courses takes place during the coming Half Term holidays in February.

Trombonist Gareth Robinson, a former pupil at Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun and Violinist Eleri Tudor a former pupil of Ysgol Gyfun Llanhari were both successful in auditioning for the National Youth Orchestra of Wales.

The National Youth Training Choir of Wales saw seven local school pupils gain entry and all of them are dedicated members of the RCT Youth Chorus which meets every Thursday evening at Pontypridd High School from 6-8p.m. Nicoletta Allen, Mitchell Rees and Siobhan Ivins from Cardinal Newman High School; Lewis Bowen from Mountain Ash Comprehensive; Ellie Davies from Aberdare Girls Comprehensive; Luke Davies from Treorchy Comprehensive and Michael McGrinder from Hawthorn High all secured places in the ranks.