A brand new televised music competition could see a Welsh brass band win a £10,000 first prize in April next year.

12 finalists

Welsh language channel S4C has announced that ‘Band Cymru 2014’ will feature 12 finalists who will battle for the title and the mammoth cash prize at the Parc & Dare Theatre in Treorchy.

The competition will be organised by Welsh media company Rondo Media, with the innovative cross-over format open to Welsh brass, wind and jazz bands.

15 minute programmes

The finalists will be chosen from competitors who will provide 15 minute programmes of music at five professionally recorded audition venues throughout the country.

4BR has been informed that the initial aim of ‘Band Cymru’, ‘...will be a unique opportunity for television audiences to enjoy the very best in Welsh bands, performing an entertaining programme to the highest standards of presentation’.

Exciting

Spokesperson Gwawr Owen told 4BR: "Rondo Media is delighted to be producing this new and exciting competition for S4C Television.

As producers of Côr Cymru for S4C since 2003, ‘Band Cymru’ will enable television audiences to enjoy the high standard of bands that we have in Wales as well as choirs."

Gwawr added: "The aim of the competition is to raise awareness of this high standard and broaden the appeal of bands through television programmes with the emphasis on entertaining performances from all competitors.

With a top prize of £10,000 we look forward to receiving applications from across the country."

With a top prize of £10,000 we look forward to receiving applications from across the countryRondo Media

International panel

An international panel of adjudicators will judge the anonymous recorded entries by the end of January 2014, before reducing the competitors to 12 successful ensembles split into four groups, who will compete in four televised final rounds in Treorchy on the weekend of the 12th/13th April.

Each finalist will perform a further 15 minute programme, with the judges then picking four group winners.

Each finalist will receive £500, with a further £500 to each group winner.

Overall winner

The overall £10,000 first prize will then be chosen from the quartet of group winners and announced live in a special television programme.

Rules and information

Competition details rules can be seen at:
http://rondomedia.co.uk/en/productions/79/band-cymru-2014.htm