A MUSIC teacher has won an esteemed award at Wales’ national festival.

Tim Heeley, music teacher at Coleg Cambria, formerly at Ysgol Brynhyfryd in Ruthin, has won the Musician’s Medal at this year’s National Eisteddfod.

The task set by the Eisteddfod for the competition was to write a seven-minute piece for full orchestra that would be suitable for a TV drama detective series.

Mr Heeley knew he had won the award since June, having submitted what would become the winning piece, titled ‘Gafael ar y Gwir’, in March after several months of sitting at the piano and then on the computer programme Sibelius.

But according to Eisteddfod tradition, Mr Heeley had been sworn to silence until the handover ceremony at the Millennium Centre near Cardiff Bay on August 8.

Understandably he is now in full celebratory mood.

Mr Heeley said: “I was so pleased to receive the award I can’t quite put it into words and it still feels a little surreal. Having worked so hard training others for such a length of time it felt a little selfish putting so much time into something just for me.

“Hopefully winning the medal will open some doors and give me the opportunity for some work as a composer to compliment my work as a college lecturer.”

Mr Heeley’s wife, Claire and two-year-old daughter, Bethan also travelled to Cardiff.

“They were very proud,” he said. “I think Claire was pleased to hear the final piece having had to listen to parts of the piece over and over again whilst I was composing. Bethan was OK with my being taken to the stage. She’s already seen me in lots of shows and concerts but screamed ‘they’ve stolen my daddy’ as I left the stage in the procession to go back stage!”

Near the start of his 16-year teaching career Tim started to learn Welsh – all his pre-university education had been in England – which, mixed with performing, accompanying and teaching in north Wales, opened the door to the world of the Eisteddfod.

As part of his success, Mr Heeley has won a scholarship to advance a career in composition with a wealth of teaching experience behind him.

Speaking to any aspiring Welsh musicians, Mr Heeley said: “It is important to listen widely to as much music as possible in a wide variety of styles, get decent technique as a performer to the highest level you can possibly get to and develop your own musical voice so what you write is clearly your own. And... listen to your teacher!”