Band Cymru semi-finalists announced  

The shortlist of 12 wind, brass and jazz bands that will compete for the 2018 Band Cymru title and £10,000 prize money has been announced. In addition, the four ensembles that will compete for the under 18, Band Ieuenctid Cymru S4C 2018 title was also revealed. 

The bands and ensembles who will compete in the semi-final are: Burry Port Town, Brass Beaumaris, BTM, Cardiff University Jazz Society, City of Cardiff (Melingriffith), Cory, Northop Silver, Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama Brass Band, Royal Welsh College College Big Band, Tongwynlais Temperance, Tylorstown and 3D Brass. The 2016 Champions, Tredegar are ineligible to compete. 

Competitors will travel to the Arts Centre, Aberystwyth on the weekend of the 17th/18th February for the semi-finals, which will be filmed by the production company and competition organisers Rondo Media and broadcast on S4C in March and April. 

The four youth bands who will perform in the final of Band Ieuenctid 2018 are: Band Jazz Tryfan, Cardiff and Vale Music Service Jazz Orchestra, Greater Gwent Youth Brass Band and Torfaen Youth Big Band 

S4C's Content Commissioner, Entertainment, Elen Rhys stated: "We're delighted that such a wide variety of bands from across Wales have competed for a place in the final. This is the third time that we have held the competition and it goes from strength to strength. Good luck to all the competitors." 

Series producer Gwawr Owen commented: "As the producers of the competition, we are delighted that so many bands have competed and reached such a high standard. This is the only competition where brass, wind and jazz bands compete against each other and the range of bands that have been selected to go on to the semi-final rounds should ensure an unforgettable weekend of music in Aberystwyth in February and later on S4C." 

The four semi-final rounds at the Arts Centre, Aberystwyth will take place on: 
Saturday 17th February (2.30pm)  
Saturday 17th February (8.00pm) 
Sunday 18th February (2.30pm) 
Sunday 18th February (8.00pm) 

Free tickets will be available from 10.00am on Monday 15th January 2018.  
Please call 029 2022 3456 or e-mail bandcymru@rondomedia.co.uk 

The two finals of the competition will be held at The Great Hall, Swansea University on the weekend of the 21st/22nd April and will be broadcast on S4C. 
 
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