Talented Welsh trumpet player Michael Triggs has become the 2019 winner of the prestigious Richard Fice Memorial Award.

Held annually by Cardiff County & Vale of Glamorgan Music Service (CCVGMS) and this year hosted by Ty Cerdd — Music Centre Wales, it rewards the county's leading brass player aged 19 and under.

Memory

The award was created in memory of Richard Fice, former principal cornet of South Glamorgan Youth Brass Band, who was killed in the bombing of the Royal Marines School of Music in 1989.

Since its inception in 1991, the annual £2,000 prize has helped 27 promising local players to further their careers by enabling them to purchase instruments, pay for tuition or attend residential courses.

Many previous winners have gone on to become professional musicians, including tuba player, Daniel Trodden (BBC National Orchestra of Wales) and trumpet player Simon Cox (Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra and Aurora Orchestra).

Former recipients, Meilyr Hughes (BBC National Orchestra of Wales) and Stephanie Dyer (trombonist and member of His Majesty's Sagbutts & Cornetts) joined Head of CCVGMS Emma Coulthard to form the adjudicating panel.

The four competitors: Daniel Rees (trombone), Jacques Segrott (trumpet), Ben Andrews (trombone) and Michael Triggs (trumpet) each performed a 15-minute recital as followed by 10 minute interview at the Ty Cerdd Recording Studio in the Wales Millennium Centre.

We were impressed by the high standards of musicianship being displayed but were unanimous about the choice of winnerAdjudication Panel Chair, Emma Coulthard

Impressed

Adjudication Panel Chair, Emma Coulthard told 4BR: ""We were impressed by the high standards of musicianship being displayed but were unanimous about the choice of winner.

Michael's performance displayed genuine range and demonstrated an ability to play both flashy, technically demanding passages and also to phrase in a sensitive and lyrical style."

Michael, a sixth form pupil at Whitchurch High School, currently holds principal positions in the County's Youth Brass Band, Youth Orchestra and Symphonic Brass and is also a member of the National Youth Brass Band of Wales.

Following A levels he hopes to study music at conservatoire or university and plans to put the prize money towards the purchase of an Eb trumpet.