Talent shows at music festival (From Penarth Times)

Talent shows at music festival

A PEN-Y-GARTH pupil has come second in a prestigious Welsh music festival.

Ten-year-old Martha Holeyman has only played the harp for three years. She entered the Gwyl Cerdd Dant Festival under 11s competition, which was held in Dolgellau and was screened on S4C.

The festival is held in different parts of Wales each year.

Her harp teacher, Eluned Scourfield said: "Martha is a very good student and always works hard. She passed her grade three harp with a distinction which is very good for a girl her age."

Teacher Eluned played in a duet with Martha at Barry Memorial Hall in the final concert for the 50 year celebrations of Welsh education in the Vales.

Headmaster of Pen-y-Garth, Peter Davies said: "We are very proud of her. It is a very substantial achievement for a young girl.

She has represented the school on many occasions before and will hopefully do so in the future."

But what if Martha wants to become a professional player?

Robert Court the choir director at St Augustine's Church, Penarth, and a professional organist and harpsichord player said: "It is a difficult path to follow today because there are so many good young players who are all competing for the same work.

It is made harder because a lot of orchestras are cutting down the number of their instrumentalists.

"A child needs to be very committed if they want to make the grade and may even have to get up earlier than usual to practice.

Parents need to be very supportive financially."