The current Welsh champion, Tredegar is putting the final touches to its preparations for the opening of the 2010 National Eisteddfod of Wales, which starts this weekend in Ebbw Vale.

Only Men Aloud

The band, under MD Ian Porthouse will be appearing along side Classical Brit Award Winning choir 'Only Men Aloud' in the opening televised concert on Saturday evening, where they will feature together in a number of items, as well as showcasing the talents of their composer in residence, Matt Hall.

Compositions

Matt has been used to bring together the two ensembles, as well as to mark the official opening of the 2010 event with a performance of his new composition 'Dragon’s Rise'.

Tredegar will also be taking part in the only televised brass band contest in the UK too, with Ian Porthouse hoping to lead the band to success on the Sunday in the Championship Section event.

We have been very lucky to have been able to utilise the talents of Meirion Davies, who did a fantastic job, but Steve’s return should give us that extra cutting edge we need to really push for the prizes at the major contestsIan Porthouse

Soprano return

The band will be boosted in their efforts with the return of Steve Barnsley on soprano cornet.

After a period away from banding due to work commitments, the former National Final ‘Best Instrumentalist’ winner also returns in time to join the band for the British Open in Birmingham in September.

Great news

Ian Porthouse told 4BR: "It’s great news for us to see Steve return. We have been very lucky to have been able to utilise the talents of Meirion Davies, who did a fantastic job, but Steve’s return should give us that extra cutting edge we need to really push for the prizes at the major contests."

Busy man

Steve will be a busy man on his first weekend back as Tredegar will also play a central part in the televised Gymanfa Concert (featuring no less than 11 hymns arranged for brass accompaniment by Matt Hall).

They will round off the Eisteddfod by providing two ten piece ensembles to join with the BBC Wales Chorus and the Welsh Chamber Orchestra to perform Verdi's 'March' from 'Aida'.