Just a few days before he flies off to start a new career in Australia, the Scottish Brass Band Association’s Development Officer, Alan Edmond enjoyed a visit to the National Eisteddfod of Wales in Wrexham.

Eisteddfod

Joined by John Todd of Kingdom Brass, the Scots were guests of Tredegar Band, following the news that the British Open champion is to become the first band outside Scotland to adopt SBBA’s innovative youth development initiative.

Meet and greet

Alan and John took the opportunity not just to enjoy the unique musical atmosphere of the televised brass band competitions, but to also meet a number of leading conductors, players and administrators to find out how they wish to move Welsh banding forward over coming years.

Alan told 4BR: "We had a wonderful time thanks to the hospitality shown by Tredegar, but also managed to make important future contacts too. We have been impressed by the desire of numerous people who wish to provide Wales with a national structure that will guarantee a vibrant future at all levels of banding."

Progressive

Alan and John also met up with Pedr Roberts, who has been instrumental in trying to gain a consensus for a progressive national organisation in Welsh banding.

He told 4BR: "All Welsh Associations are in favour of a National body and are looking for it to go ahead. Excellent progress has been made and we are seeking to make further progress at our next meeting in September."

All Welsh Associations are in favour of a National body and are looking for it to go ahead. Excellent progress has been made and we are seeking to make further progress at our next meeting in SeptemberPedr Roberts

Spearhead

Meanwhile, Tredegar also hope to make further progress in their desire to spearhead their far reaching youth development programme.

Band Secretary Mark Winstone told 4BR: "We have been able to readily identify with the programmes that have been put in place with organisations such as Kingdom Brass.

To see the outstanding results they have achieved over recent years is a real inspiration. It has shown that we can work together with other like minded bands and organisations to provide South Wales with a vibrant community based youth banding culture once more."

Kingdom blueprint

Kingdom’s John Todd was delighted that the British Open champion would be following a Kingdom Brass blueprint.

"To have a band such as Tredegar be inspired by what we have achieved at Kingdom goes to show just how important the SBBA led initiatives tailored to meet individual bands needs has been.

This can only be good news for Wales and Welsh banding, especially as other notable bands we met seemed very supportive of the ideas we are putting forward."