The annual Richard Fice Memorial Award competition, which honours the memory of the former South Glamorgan Music Service and Royal Marine musician who was tragically killed, aged just 22, in the 1989 Deal Barracks bombing, recently took place at Chapter Arts Centre in Cardiff.

Winner

This year it was won by Jacob Adams, currently studying French Horn at Chethams School of Music and a member of the Music Service's Youth Orchestra.

The competition which started in 1991, celebrates the talents of young brass players within CF Music Education (formerly Cardiff County & Vale of Glamorgan Music Service).

Richard learned to play cornet with the Music Service, becoming its principal cornet before going on to fulfil his ambition of becoming a musician in The Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines in 1984.

Many winners have also gone on to become professional musicians, including Daniel Trodden (tuba), Simon Cox (trumpet) and Stephanie Muncy-Dyer (trombone).

High standard

As always, there was an exceptionally high standard with the four finalists each providing a 10-15 minute programme with music ranging from Eugene Bozza to Mozart as they performed in their bid to claim the £2,000 first prize.

While adjudicators Roger Argente (Head of Brass Performance at RWCMD), Robert Samuel (BBC NOW) & Emma Archer (Head of CF Music Education) carefully considered their result, the audience were treated to a performance by last year's winner, Conrad Thorndike.

The competition which started in 1991, celebrates the talents of young brass players within CF Music Education (formerly Cardiff County & Vale of Glamorgan Music Service)4BR

Wonderful celebration

A spokesperson for the award told 4BR: "One again this was a wonderful celebration in music to the memory of Richard.

The standard was incredibly high, and our congratulations go to the winner Jacob Adams and all those who took part."