Following the success of its inaugural competition in 2014, S4C has announced the return of its Band Cymru Competition alongside a brand new youth event entitled, Band Ieuenctid Cymru.

Both events will be open to recognised brass, wind and jazz bands, with Band Ieuenctid Cymru a new venture for bands and ensembles comprising competitors under the age of 18.

£10,000 first prize

After gaining substantial viewing figures on the national broadcasting channel (won by the Cory Band), the contest will once again see competitors from different musical genres battle for the £10,000 Band Cymru first prize, with £1,000 going to the first Band Ieuenctid Cymru winners.

Each band will be asked to perform "a varied and entertaining programme" with preliminary auditions eventually leading to 12 bands being asked to appear at the Aberystwyth Arts Centre during the weekend of 9th/10th April 2016.

Four finalists

These semi-final bands will be split into four groups of three for broadcast purposes, with a winner of each group going through to the final at the Parc & Dare Theatre in Treorchy on Sunday 22nd May.

Each semi finalist will be awarded £500, with an additional £500 won by each group winner. The eventual 2016 Band Cymru champion will receive a further prize of £9,000.

Caught imagination

Elen Rhys, S4C's Entertainment Content Commissioner told 4BR: "The Band Cymru 2014 competition certainly caught the imagination of the audience proving that Wales is not only the land of song but of the instrumentalists.

S4C is very pleased to be able to extend this competition this time to include a live final and a brand new competition to include youth bands.

We will celebrate the sounds of these bands in what promises to be a very exciting competition."

S4C is very pleased to be able to extend this competition this time to include a live final and a brand new competition to include youth bandsElen Rhys, S4C's Entertainment Content Commissioner

Youth auditions

Following a series of auditions across Wales for Band Ieuenctid Cymru 2016, four bands will also be invited to appear in the final at the Parc & Dare Theatre, Treorchy on Saturday, 21st May.

Each band that reaches the final will receive £250, with the wining band receiving a further £1,000.

The closing date for both competitions is 12th October 2015. Applications are welcomed from bands from Wales but the winning band from Band Cymru 2014 will not be allowed entry in 2016.

During the semi finals of Band Cymru 2016, the winning soloist selected by the judges will be awarded a prize of £500.

Contact:

Welsh bands wishing to compete are asked to contact: Rondo on 02920 223456 or bandcymru@rondomedia.co.uk