Chris Davies, principal horn with Tredegar Band, has won the prestigious National Eisteddfod of Wales Instrumental Blue Riband (Rhuban Glas) competition, collecting the £150 cash prize and a £3,000 Peggy & Maldwyn Hughes scholarship award in the process.

Rare

Victories for brass instrumentalists in the showcase event for performers over the age of 19 are rare, with Chris understood to be only the second winner from a brass band background in the last 20 years.

Recital

The competition saw the three finalists each perform a 15 minute recital in the main pavilion in front of a large audience and the five adjudicators.

Chris performed Eric Ball’s 'September Fantasy' and Bellstedt’s 'La Napolitane' as well as a new work from the pen of his accompanist Matthew Woodfrd, entitled, 'Suo Gan Poem'.

The win came a bit of surprise, especially as the standard of the qualifying competitions is so high. I thought I played well, and the piece Matthew wrote was great, so I owe him a pint or two!Chris Davies

Use of award

The welsh speaker from Merthyr Tydfil is currently studying for his Masters Msc in music following on from his first class degree from Oxford University, and hopes to use the scholarship award to further his research.

Win

Chris told 4BR: "The win came a bit of surprise, especially as the standard of the qualifying competitions is so high. I thought I played well, and the piece Matthew wrote was great, so I owe him a pint or two!"

As for the £3,000 award, Chris knows just what he wants to do with it. "The scholarship gives me so many new opportunities, so I will certainly use it wisely," he added.