The sun was shining in Wrexham on the weekend as bands from all corners of the Principality battled for high profile glory at the National Eisteddfod of Wales.
Televised live by broadcaster S4C, with additional daily highlights later each night, the huge pavilion stage hosted entertainment performances in four sections.
Impressive
An impressive British Open champion Tredegar, directed by Ian Porthouse retained the Championship Section title they won in Ebbw Vale last year, with a performance described by adjudicators C Brian Buckley, Paul Holland and Iwan Williams as ‘on another level’.
The band took home the championship trophy and the top prize of £750 with a 20 minute set that included ‘Blackbird Special’, followed by ‘Folk Festival’, the flugel solo ‘Ave Maria’ played by Danny Winder, ‘Legends of Cyfarthfa’ and ‘Credo’.
Happy
The MD was happy with the victory before his band start preparing for their British Open defence in Birmingham.
He told 4BR: "It’s a difficult time of the year for players especially, but I felt the contest gave us a good opportunity to keep on top of things. We can now enjoy a short break before its back to the hard work for the Open in September."
With Tredegar gaining an expected comfortable victory, there was an intriguing battle for the podium places, with City of Cardiff Melingriffith reprising their polished Welsh Open programme of ‘Windows of the World’ to pip Wrexham Brass Glyndwr into third with Deiniolen in fourth.
Quality
All three First Section bands gave quality performances, with fine solo contributions from the likes of Gareth Jones (Melingriffith), Paul Martin (Wrexham) and Dylan Jones (Deiniolen) entertaining the appreciative audience in the main pavilion.
Ceremonial success
It also proved to be a successful weekend for two Tredegar players, with principal cornet Dewi Griffiths leading M2 Mellingriffith to success in the Fourth Section and fellow Eisteddfod ceremonial trumpeter Paul Hughes directing Llanrug to victory in the Second. Treherbert & District conducted by Craig Roberts won the Third Section title.
Paul and Dewi will be kept busy throughout the coming week as they perform all the ceremonial fanfares at each of the Eisteddfod main events, but both were delighted that they were able to lead their young bands to success at a competition that means so much to them both.
Confidence
"Playing an active role in the Eisteddfod is very important to us," Dewi said. "It’s nice to win here too though, especially as it gives bands such as ours the chance to play live on television. We can now look forward to the National Finals full of confidence, and with further contesting experience under our belts."
Paul meanwhile was especially happy: "Llanrug is working so hard to become successful again, so this is a real boost. We’re building towards the future, so this sets us up nicely for the North Wales championships later this year."
Llanrug is working so hard to become successful again, so this is a real boost. We’re building towards the future, so this sets us up nicely for the North Wales championships later this yearPaul Hughes
Regional and National titles
M2 added the National title to their Welsh Regional title on the Saturday thanks to a programme that certainly found with judges C Brian Buckley, Paul Holland and Iwan Williams.
They opened with ‘Toccata in D Minor’ featuring percussionist Amy Hardman and Heledd Gwynant before moving through, ‘DL Blues’ with trombonist Josh Herman, the 3rd movement of ‘The Haslemere Suite’ and the finale of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’.
It gave the band the title and the £400 first prize ahead of from Dyffryn Nanllte, with Ystradgynlais in third.
Quality contest
Llanrug meanwhile started with ‘Henffych y Ddraig’, before following with ‘Amazing Grace’, ‘Be a Clown’, the flugel solo ‘For Eyes Only’, played by Rhodri Williams and ‘Adventures in Brass’.
In a high quality contest it was just enough to give them the title and the £400 first prize from Llywdcoed with RAF St Athan in third.
Resurgent
For Treherbert, the Third Section win gives the resurgent South Wales band a real boost ahead of their appearance at the forthcoming National Championships in Cheltenham, in September.
They bagged the £400 first prize thanks to a set that started with ‘Summon the Heroes’ before moving through ‘Send in the Clowns’ featuring principal cornet Louise Russell, ‘Sweet Georgia Brown’ and ‘MacArthur Park’ to close to beat off the challenge of Royal Oakeley and Crwbin.
Results:
Championship/Section 1:
1. Tredegar
2. City of Cardiff (Mellingriffith)
3. Wrexham Brass (Glyndwr)
4. Deiniolen
Highlights can be seen at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/eisteddfod/2011/sites/results/results1.shtml?rhif=11&type=day
Section 2:
1. Llanrug
2. Llwydcoed
3. RAF St Athan
4. Newtown
Highlights can be seen at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/eisteddfod/2011/sites/results/results1.shtml?rhif=12&type=day
Section 3:
1. Treherbert & District
2. Royal Oakeley
3. Crwbin
Highlights can be seen at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/eisteddfod/2011/sites/results/results1.shtml?rhif=13&type=day
Section 4:
1. Melingriffith 2
2. Dyffryn Nanllte
3. Ystradgynlais
4. Menai Bridge
5. Abergynolwyn Silver
Highlights can be seen at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/eisteddfod/2011/sites/results/results1.shtml?rhif=14&type=day
Adjudicators: C. Brian Buckley, Paul Holland and Iwan Williams (All Sections)
Prizes: Championship/First: £750; £450; £300
All other sections: £400; £300; £200
