Cory regained its Welsh title at the Brangwyn Hall in the most emphatic contesting manner on Sunday evening, by producing as David Read told the audience before the announcement of the results, ‘…the finest performance of ‘Paganini Variations I have ever heard’.
Never played better
The adjudicator qualified his statement further by adding; "Having judged it many times since 1991, I know the piece very well, and possibly better than most players. Take my word. I have never heard it played better than today."
In his written remarks he added: 'I have run out of superlatives'.
Ninth time
It gave the reigning Europeans champion the title for a ninth time under the direction of Dr Robert Childs and ensured that they gained qualification for the 2012 Europeans in Rotterdam before blowing a note in defence of their title in Montreux in May.
The MD was of course delighted at the way his band had played: "I knew it was something special as soon as we started. It was superb playing from everyone around the stands. This was a great Cory performance, and one that sets us up for the rest of the year."
Really was something
The band’s principal trombone player Chris Thomas took the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ Award for his contribution to the success.
Composer Philip Wilby was in the audience and added: "That really was something wasn’t it?" before taking the opportunity to congratulate the winning MD.
I know the piece very well, and possibly better than most players. Take my word. I have never heard it played better than todayDavid Read MBE
New home
In a lovely address before the announcement of the results he referred to his piece as ‘one of my children’, before adding with a sharp wit, '…but one who left home a long time ago now…’
That was 21 years ago, but for David Read, it seems that ‘Paganini’ has found a permanent musical address in the Cory bandroom.
Beaumaris delight
Joining them in London, and even Rotterdam, if Cory goes on to retain its European title will be Beaumaris. They produced a finely structured performance under the direction of Gwyn Evans to produce the shock of the weekend by pipping British Open Champion Tredegar to second place.
Both Gwyn and Tredegar’s Ian Porthouse took the opportunity to congratulate Bob Childs on the Brangwyn Hall stage following the announcement of the results. For Gwyn however, the runner’s up place was almost as good as any victory.
Amazing
"Amazing. Just amazing," he told 4BR. "It was a great performance from the band – I couldn’t have wished it to have gone any better. We have worked so hard towards this. I knew we were able to produce a top class ‘Paganini’ and the players showed that today."
That performance sent the North Wales band back to London for the first time since 2004, with the possibility of a first European appearance on the horizon.
"Congratulations to Cory, they were brilliant today. We’ll be making sure they get as much support in Montreux as possible," Gwyn added.
Marker
In a contest that rose in standard from a high class marker set by Tongwynlais to open, some noticeable errors consigned British Open champions Tredegar to third place, although they too will head to London.
"We left the door open today, but congratulations to both bands," Ian Porthouse said. "Cory produced an outstanding performance and Beaumaris were excellent."
Behind the qualifiers came a close battle with Tongwynlais eventually ending fourth ahead of BTM, Northop and Markham & District.
Fourth Section:
Sunday started with the Fourth Section contest where Melingriffith 2 took the title ahead of Abertillery & District.
Conducted by Tredegar’s principal cornet player Dewi Griffiths, ‘M2’ as they are colloquially known, gave adjudicator C Brain Buckley a performance that he described as ‘…a little bit outstanding’ on Philip Wilby’s ‘A Little Light Music’.
The impressive mix of young and old was set up just a few years ago to help provide the City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) band with a stream of playing talent, although they will now be joining their senior counterparts at Cheltenham, after they had won through on the Staurday in the First Section.
Long term developement
Chairman Dave Howard told 4BR that the result had fully justified the bands decision to make a long term investment in youth development.
"We set out to provide a new generation of players for the organisation, and I think we are now showing that the decision has been a huge success.
We want to build on this qualification and bring more and more youngsters into the set up. I have to add though that the older players are enjoying every minute of banding too!"
Happy MD
A happy MD is also looking forward to Cheltenham too: "I really enjoy conducting the band," Dewi said. "The organisation if brilliant and the enthusiasm and desire to improve is something else. They have put in so much hard work. All the credit goes to them."
Joining them in Cheltenham will be Abertillery Youth & District who have also started to enjoy the fruits of a long term plan to develop local players under the direction of Dean Evans.
"We’ve been working towards this for some time now," Dean told 4BR. "We’ve had a few ups and downs but the enthusiasm and the hard work put in by the players makes it all worthwhile. I couldn’t have asked for anything more from them today."
Spirit
That spirit was summed up in the local Bay View Hotel over the road from the contest hall a little later in the day as the band’s principal cornet player John Harris was still clutching the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ Award as he enjoyed a celebratory pint.
"It’s great for everyone," he said. "To see us back like this makes all the hard work worthwhile."
The only disappointment of the contest was that Wales could only produce five competitors on the day, with a hard working performance form Oakdale directed by Alan Browning coming third.
Third Section:
Saturday proved to be a quite remarkable day in Swansea for two of the brightest musical talents in the Welsh banding fraternity, as Matthew Jenkins and Paul Jenkins came up with a conducting/playing double in the Third and First Sections.
First, Matthew led Goodwick in a successful defence of their Third Section title with the help of his friend on Eb tuba, before returning the compliment by delivering a ‘Best Instrumentalist’ performance on euphonium with Pontardulais, as they retained their First Section title under Paul’s direction.
Joint effort
Both of course were delighted by their joint teamwork and very complimentary about each other’s efforts too.
"He’s a very special player and a great conductor," Paul said of Matt. "He was immense today for us." In return Matt was equally effusive: "He’s a great conductor and a special player!" he added, before both broke into laughter at their communal, slightly tongue in cheek self appreciation society.
Excellent
However, there was no doubting the quality of Goodwick Brass successful defence of their Third Section title as they delivered an excellent performance of Philip Wilby’s ‘A Little Light Music’ — described by adjudicator C Brian Buckley as, ’...superb – quite, quite outstanding’.
The young band from just outside Fishguard in West Wales, produced a display of remarkable musical maturity to head to Cheltenham, where Treherbert & District will join them.
Bold
The equally delighted Rhondda Valley band made a successful to the contesting arena after a three year break to claim their place with a bold and purposeful account under the direction of Craig Roberts.
There was some anxiety on the faces of the young Goodwick players before the announcement of the results, but in what was an uneven contest in terms of overall quality, there was little doubt which two bands would make it through to the Finals.
Just missing put on the trip was Tata Steel (Port Talbot) directed by Ceri Thomas, whose well structured performance couldn’t quite do enough to dislodge the top two qualifiers.
Outstanding
Brian remarked that the winners had produced playing of, ‘outstanding consistency and musicality’, to gain a clear cut victory, whilst he added that he had ‘a little more concern’ over the second and third bands, before opting for the overall consistency in execution of Treherbert.
‘Best Instrumentalist’ winner, soprano player Ffion Williams, told 4BR that the win was something the band had been working hard towards: "Matthew (the MD) really wanted to show everyone that we are improving all the time. We want to go to Cheltenham and go one better than last year and win the National title."
100 years
The MD didn’t have much time to spend celebrating his first success of the day as he was already in rehearsal with Pontardulais, but he later told 4BR that the result meant a huge boost for the band in their 100th year.
"It’s our centenary celebration this year and we have just completed a CD and have a big joint concert with Cory to come. This has given us a huge boost as we look to turn 2011 into something very special. The players certainly did that for me today."
Premiere
Equally delighted was Treherbert’s MD Craig Roberts – the man responsible for getting Philip Wilby’s piece commissioned.
"It was great to play it again after it got such a wonderful reception on its premiere in the Rhondda," he told 4BR. "And to be able to help bring Treherbert back and gain a qualification place makes it even more special."
After three years away from Swansea, the band returned thanks to the amalgamation of the remaining playing resources of the Cwmaman Band, who added their experience to the growing core of talented youngsters Craig has helped develop in the Treherbert area.
Ice cream celebration
Meanwhile, the winners certainly enjoyed their victory, although for the youngsters of Goodwick not quite old enough to partake in a traditional banding celebration in the Brangwyn Hall bar, there was still an appropriate way to enjoy their success:
A group led by the young tyro baritone player headed to the local ‘Joe’s’ ice cream parlour, where they told 4BR, they gorged themselves on a winner’s Neapolitan tarantella double ‘99’!
Second Section:
The Second Section that followed found Eric Ball’s ‘Resurgam’ a tough qualification hurdle to overcome.
However, the performance by Llwydcoed, directed by Gary Davies, and described by adjudicator David Read MBE as, ‘...very classy indeed’ gave the band from near Merthyr Tydfil, the title and send them back to the Finals for a second year in a row after last year’s top six finish in the Third Section.
Fine performance
Joining them there will be Lewis Merthyr, conducted by Gareth Pritchard, who followed the eventual winners onto the stage to produce ‘a fine performance’ according the adjudicator, to join them to Cheltenham after just missing out last year.
In a contest that David Read confessed to being, ‘…surprised by quite a good overall standard’, it was Royal Buckley Town who enjoyed their trip south from North Wales to claim the final podium place under conductor Mark Bousie.
Great win
The winning MD was a very happy man, after repeating last year’s success when leading Tylorstown to the title.
"It’s a great win for a great band. They are working so hard and I’m really enjoying it. We’re making real progress, especially after our promotion, and we can now look forward to Cheltenham."
A major contribution to that success came from the playing of ‘Best Instrumentalist’ Award winner David Johnson on euphonium.
Great start
Band Chairman Iestyn Davies told 4BR: "It’s been a fantastic day and a great start to our return to the Second Section. We'd really like to put on record our thanks to Gary Davies who clearly is emerging as one of Wales' best MDs."
He added: "It was also a great day for Dave Johnson on euphonium, whose lyrical sound was perfect for a piece like ‘Resurgam’. Above all we've been really encouraged by the number of people who said they were moved by the band's playing. This meant as much to us as the result."
27 year return
Lewis Merthyr meanwhile put 27 years of bad luck and near misses behind them as they headed to the Finals for the first time since appearing at the Royal Albert Hall in the top section in 1984.
Chairman Dave Arnold told 4BR: "This is the result of all the hard work put in by Gareth Pritchard as MD over the last four years. We have really worked hard over recent times and achieved increasingly regular success. It’s been a long time coming but now we have the finals to look forward to once again."
First Section:
With the Welsh rugby team enduring a bit of a bashing in Paris, much the same scenario was being played out on a small competitive pitch in the First Section, where the Berlioz overture, ‘Le Carnival Romain’, proved to be a severe test of all the competing bands.
Gallic flair
However, unlike their counterparts in the Six Nations, some obstacles were overcome with a touch of Gallic flair, with Pontardulais Town taking the title under Paul Jenkins, with a performance that saw adjudicator C Brian Buckley wax lyrical in his appreciation from the stage:
"There were four clear performances today (in a 10 band field), with two outstanding ones," he said.
"First and second were exceptional in respect to the overall standard today. They gave me bright burnished Berlioz brass chords, really technical security and musicality."
Praise
Brian also praised the standard of euphonium playing on show in the demanding aria, although he was critical of some of accompaniment that at times failed to compliment to soloist’s efforts.
"Two or three euphoniums today were quite excellent – if Berlioz had heard them he would have perhaps been persuaded to have written the original for the instrument instead of the Cor Anglias."
Problems
He did however pin point the problems: "The accompaniment needs to compliment the sostenuto style of the lead – and not many did that today, whilst the piece to me isn’t that technically difficult, yet so many bands made sound like it was."
Demon duo
And it was of course the demon duo of Paul Jenkins and Matthew Jenkins, who overcame those problems the best, with Matt picking up the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ Award for his wonderful euphonium contribution.
"I can’t believe it," Paul told 4BR. "To win twice in a row is amazing. We have really built on the success from last year and I think we are now a much stronger, confident band. It’s great to have players like Matt in the ranks, but I can’t praise everyone else enough – they were all superb today."
Brilliant talent
Band Chairman Nigel Buist also made sure the contribution of the MD was not forgotten. "He’s a brilliant talent. The success we are now enjoying has been down to his commitment and ability.
There is a great atmosphere in the band, a desire to work hard and a real ambition to fulfil our potential – all led by Paul."
Joining Pontardulais in Cheltenham will be City of Cardiff (Melingriffith), who produced a vibrant account as the last band of the day under the direction of Gareth Ritter to head to the Finals once more.
Step up
The 2009 Second Section National champions of Great Britain have made the step up in class thanks to plenty of hard work, according to their MD.
"We have had to put in the graft on this one," Gareth Ritter said. "But we have really enjoyed the piece and the hard work paid off today. We are growing in confidence each year and we want to go on and make a real mark at the Finals."
Classy
In a contest that had huge variations in quality, it was an a classy early marker from Burry Port that just missed out on a qualification berth in 4th after Michael Thorne led his band through a colourful rendition aided by a fine euphonium lead by Ceri John, to claim third place.
Closer still came Tylorstown in 3rd under the direction of Gary Davies, who produced well shaped account fine account led by their euphonium player Angela Westacott.
Unfortunate incident
Although there was no doubting the validity of the eventual winners, a rather unfortunate incident at the end of the contest saw the players and conductor of Wrexham Brass rather pointedly air their opinions directly at the adjudicator.
It was a dispiriting end to an enjoyable day, as Brian Buckley professionally answered the initial queries before finding the tense atmosphere one that could no longer sustain constructive dialogue.
Perspective
The misplaced disappointment however was put into a more meaningful perspective as a few yards away a bandsman was being treated for a suspected heart attack.
Thankfully the good news was that after night in hospital he is now making a full recovery.
Result:
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Championship Section:
Sunday 20th March
Test Piece: Paganini Variations (Philip Wilby)
Adjudicator: David Read MBE
1. Cory (Dr Robert Childs)**
2. Beaumaris (Gwyn Evans)*
3. Tredegar (Ian Porthouse)*
4. Tongwynlais Temperance (Philip Harper)
5. BTM (Tom Davoran)
6. Northop (Thomas Wyss)
7. Markham & District (Adrian Morton)
Best Instrumentalist: Chris Thomas (trombone) — Cory
**Cory are pre-qualified for finals
* Two bands qualify for finals
First Section:
Saturday 19th March
Test Piece: Le Carnival Romain (Hector Berlioz arr. Frank Wright)
Commence: at the conclusion of Section 2
Adjudicator: C. Brian Buckley
1. Pontardulais Town (Paul Jenkins)*
2. City of Cardiff (Mellingriffith) (Gareth Ritter)*
3. Tylorstown (Gary Davies)
4. Burry Port (Michael Thorne)
5. Penclawdd Brass (Tony Small)
6. Rogerstone (Julian Jones)
7. Abergaveney Borough (David Griffith)
8. Parc & Dare (Martyn Ford)
9. Deiniolen (Gavin Saynor)
10. Wrexham Brass (Wayne Ruston)
Best Instrumentalist: Matthew Jenkins (euphonium) — Pontardulais
*Two bands qualify for the finals
Second Section:
Saturday 19th March
Test Piece: Resurgam (Eric Ball)
Commence: at the conclusion of Section 3
Adjudicator: David Read MBE
1. Llwydcoed (Gary Davies)*
2. Lewis Merthyr (Gareth Pritchard)*
3. Royal Buckley Town (Mark Bousie)
4. Llanrug (Paul Hughes)
5. Blaenavon Town (Andrew Protherough-Jones)
6. Newtown Silver (Steve Edwards)
7. Crosskeys Silver (Keri Bowden)
8. RAF St Athan Voluntary (Alan Bourne)
9. Gwaun Cae Gurwen (G. R. Davies)
10. Yynshir (Dean Evans)
Best Instrumentalist: David Johnson (euphonium) — Llwydcoed
*Two bands qualify for the finals
Third Section:
Saturday 19th March
Test Piece: A Little Light Music (Philip Wilby)
Adjudicator: C. Brian Buckley
1. Goodwick (Matthew Jenkins)*
2. Treherbert & District (Craig Roberts)*
3. Tata Steel (Port Talbot) (Ceri Thomas)
4. Crwbin (Andrew Jones)
5. Severn Tunnel (A. Harris)
6. Newport Borough (Ivor Barnett)
7. Briton Ferry (Dr Christian Jenkins)
8. Ogmore Valley (A. Jones)
Best Instrumentalist: Ffion Williams (soprano) — Goodwick
*Two bands qualify for the finals
Fourth Section:
Sunday 20th March
Test Piece: Prelude, Song and Dance (John Golland)
Adjudicator: C. Brian Buckley
1. Mellingriffith 2 (Dewi Griffiths)*
2. Abertillery & District Youth (Dean Evans)*
3. Oakdale (A. Browning)
4. Ystradgynlais (W. White)
5. Cwmbran (Andrew Lucas)
Youngest Player: Ieaun Lucas (11) — Cwmbran
Best Instrumentalist: John Harris (cornet) — Abertillery
*Two bands qualify for the finals
