Organisers of this year's Gregynog Young Musician competition say they have been "overwhelmed" by an "avalanche" of high quality entrants.

The prestigious competition will be a virtual event this year rather than taking place at Gregynog Hall, near Tregynon, due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.

“The level is astounding,” said Edd Rayner, chairman of Gregynog Young Musician competition (GYMC). “We have some of the best young musicians in Europe entering GYMC this year, and that is extremely heartening.”

Previous winners include talented cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, who became a household name in 2018 when he played at the Royal wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

The competition is open to musicians aged 14 to 18 years who have reached Grade 8 standard or equivalent. Categories include: Young String Player of the Year, Young Woodwind Player of the Year, Young Pianist of the Year, and Young Accompanist of the Year

A winner from each of the categories is chosen, and then an overall winner selected. A money prize of £3,000 will be given to the winners, and £500 to each runner-up, which is made possible through sponsor Hywel Lloyd, of Lloyds Animal Feeds.

Jan Wallwork-Clarke, CEO of the Gregynog Trust, said: "While we are sad not to be able to hold the competition at the Hall this year, we are thrilled that the interest in the competition is as strong as ever, and that the quality is so high.

"We hope to welcome everyone back to Gregynog Hall in 2021 for a fantastic live event.”

The judges are currently in the process of assessing all the entrants, and the winners will be announced on the GYMC web site on December 19.

Further information from Nerys Lloyd-Pierce on 02920 343 121/07701007128