TWO bands from north Wales have done their counties proud by earning awards at the 2018 Band Cymru competition.

In a memorable evening at Swansea University, Brass Beaumaris won the "Best Stage Presentation of a Single Piece" award and Bangor-based Ysgol Tryfan's jazz band scooped the "Best Youth Band" prize.

Beaumaris' band received a £2,000 cash prize for their rendition of 'Hora Staccato'.

Musical director of Brass Beaumaris, Gwyn Evans said: "It's meant a great deal of work for us and I'm so glad that they judges chosen ‘Hora Staccato’ as the winner.

"Young people from the youth band joined us for this performance. This prize is dedicated to them.”

Meanwhile, Tryfan beat off Cardiff and Vale Music Service Jazz Orchestra, Torfaen Youth Big Band and the Greater Gwent Youth Brass Band to pick up the youth title and the cash prize of £1,000.

The Ysgol Tryfan band, who were the only school band in the Band Cymru finals, wowed the audience and judges with their three songs - 'Uptown Funk', ‘Li’l Darlin’ and 'Latin Fantasy'.

The group has an illustrious record in Band Cymru, having already reached the senior final in a previous year.

"I would like to say a huge congratulations to all members of Band Jazz Ysgol Tryfan on their success," Ysgol Tryfan headteacher Gwyn Tudur said.

"Our band featured pupils from Year 7 to Year 12, and I would like to say thanks to Mr Hefin Evans for his guidance and selection of music.

"Calls for the band to perform at certains areas are now flowing in and the attention is great and well-deserved. They are now planning confidently towards the future."

Musical Director of Jazz Ysgol Tryfan, Hefin Evans added, “We are delighted with the award, the pupils have worked so hard and they are over the moon.

"Usually I have plenty to say, but I was quite speechless upon receiving this award.”

Band Cymru returned this year following the success of the competitions held in 2014 and 2016.

The final was held for the first time at the Great Hall at Swansea University and was broadcast live on S4C with presenters Trystan Ellis-Morris and Elin Llwyd hosting.