Tredegar Band solo euphonium player Yu-Han Yang has qualified through to the final of the prestigious Jeju International Brass Competition in Korea.

The event was first held in 2000, with past winners of the euphonium award including the likes of Glenn Van Looy, Bastien Baumet, Lilian Meurin and Gilles Rocha.

Yu-Han has progressed through to the 2020 final after impressing the international panel of adjudicators which included past winner Adam Frey, Steven Mead, Akihito Ito, Allen Fan, Demondrae Thurman and Im Jong-an.

Worldwide entry

58 competitors from across the musical world entered the on-line first round, where they had to perform Joseph Turrin's 'Concert Piece No 1.'

The adjudicator's then had the difficult task of whittling the entrant down to 20 players who in the second round had to perform 'Pulse' by Thomas Doss and Eduardo Boccalari's 'Fantasia di Concerto'.

Just three performers were then selected through to the final in November where they will perform Philip Wilby's 'Euphonium Concerto' with the Jeju Symphony Orchestra.

Outstanding performances

Speaking to 4BR, Steven Mead said that the standard of performances this year was outstanding.

"The Jeju event has grown into one of the world's leading instrumental competitions — and that is reflected in the standard of playing.

The transparent system of adjudication gives clarity in being able to compare and contrast performers of the highest level — as we are continually bowled over by the playing on show."

The standard has been incredible and the feedback you receive from the adjudicators is invaluable as a performer. I'm now looking forward to November and representing Taiwan and Tredegar Band.Yu-Han Yang

Thrilled

Yu-Han Yang is the first Taiwanese euphonium player to reach the final and will perform alongside fellow finalists Lorenz Havermans of Belgium and Yuki Yamazaki of Japan. The winner will take home with them the $8,000 first prize, with the pound finishers receiving $6,000 and $4,000 respectfully.

He told 4BR: "I am thrilled to reach the final and to be given the opportunity to perform alongside two brilliant players.

The standard has been incredible and the feedback you receive from the adjudicators is invaluable as a performer.

I'm now looking forward to November and representing Taiwan and Tredegar Band."