There was a thrilling finale to the 2011 Welsh League series at Blaenavon on the weekend, where the destination of the various titles was decided at the SEWBBA Contest.

Adjudicators Ian Brownbill and Paul Holland were presented with a host of own choice performances from the competing bands and in return presented realistic appraisals of what they heard and witnessed throughout the day — both good and bad.

Championship Section

There was a second Championship Section victory of the series for the improving Burry Port under the direction of Nigel Seaman.

They beat off the strong challenge of BTM to take the top section honours, but it was Tylorstown’s third place ahead of series leaders Abergavenny Borough, which meant that they shared the overall 2011 title with their rivals.

Adjudicator Ian Brownbill praised the quality of the two leading performances on the day, stating that he felt they were of high quality Grand Shield standard, although he was more critical about the level he heard behind them.

"The top two bands were every good – and would be strong contenders at the Grand Shield level on this form," he later told 4BR. "I was concerned however with the performances behind these bands, as I felt these were not always of true Championship standard.”

Burry Port left for the long trip back to West Wales buoyed by their second successive Welsh League victory of the season thanks to a well controlled account of ‘On Alderney Edge’, as well as bagging the individual awards for ‘Best Soprano’ and ‘Best Trombone’.

BTM’s tuba quartet took the ‘Best Bass Section’ Award for their contribution in the band’s performance of ‘Devil and the Deep Blue Sea’, whilst Tylorstown took third with their rendition of ‘Un Vie de Matelot’.

First Section

In the First Section, City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) claimed their overall Welsh League title in the most commanding style, with an emphatic five point margin of victory over rivals Ynyshir, with home town favourites, Blaenavon in third.

It not only gave M1 the Miners Gala Trophy and their euphonium player Frances Wilson the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ Award, but also saw the band crowned Welsh League Champion ahead of runner up Ynyshir.

Adjudicator Paul Holland was full of praise for the victors and their performance of James Curnow’s ‘Trittico’. “They were winners by a chasm,” he said. “This was wonderful playing – and I could have given the solo prize to any one of three of their leading players.”

Paul was also realistic about the standard of the other competing bands too. “Both had just about the equal amount of flaws. They were not on their best form today, but at this level the basics must be sorted out before trying to portray musical nuance.”

I think the time has come for an entry requirement to a contest such as this to insist that at least one non playing member of a competing band must help in some organisational capacity on the dayIan Brownbill

Second Section

Ian Brownbill was given a much harder task in separating out the bands in the Second Section, where victory for Llwydcoed also saw them claim the Welsh League title ahead of close rivals Lewis Merthyr. Gwaun Cae Gurwen was third.

The winner’s performance of Dean Goffin’s ‘Rhapsody in Brass’ under the direction of Gary Davies, gave them a narrow one point victory, with principal cornet Iestyn Davies winning the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ Award for his fine contribution.

Ian told 4BR: “There were some good performances in the Second Section especially from the winners, but once again I was concerned that the overall level wasn’t as strong as I was expecting.”

Third Section:

Paul Holland had little problem in picking out Goodwick Brass as the winner in the Third Section as the West Wales band continued on their rich vein of contesting form with a fine victory under the baton of Matthew Jenkins. The band’s principal cornet player Luke Jenkins took the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ Award.

Their performance of ‘Laudate Dominum’ saw them take the Mel Huntley Memorial Trophy by a three point margin from a resurgent Pontypool Brass, who took home with them the ‘Best Horn Section’ Award, with Ammanford Town in third.

However, it was another West Wales band that ended the year as Welsh League champion as Seindorf Crwbin, despite coming fourth on the day did just enough to claim the overall title ahead of runner Abertillery & District who came fifth.

Paul Holland later told 4BR: “The winners were excellent – a different class, and played with a lovely sense of style. That is a real sign of quality at this level – it was hard to find fault with their performance. The runner up delivered a fine performance with style too, although the bands behind them had more basic problems and needed to get to grips with tuning issues with mutes especially.”

Fourth Section:

There was a slightly disappointing turn out of bands in the Fourth Section, where the current National Champion, M2 under the baton of Dewi Griffiths claimed a clear two point victory performing ‘A Haslemere Suite’, to give them the Hawkes Challenge Trophy and the overall Welsh League title.

The band’s solo cornet player Lyndon Dunstan won the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ Award, whilst the MD also ended the day with the title of 2011 Welsh Conductor of the Year.

Second place went to the improving Severn Tunnel, whilst Oakdale’s third place finish enabled them to end the year as runner up to M2 in the overall standings.

Ian Brownbill was once more full of praise for the winners, but aware that behind them the standard of playing was a little less impressive.

“The winners are a fine band and very well led,” he told 4BR. “However, it was a shock and a worry to find that only three bands were playing at this level in what is an area of the country that has such a rich tradition of high quality grass roots banding.”

Junior Section

Those fledgling grass roots were being nurtured in the Junior Section, which is starting to grow in popularity. Paul Holland was on hand to see as well as hear three developing ensembles perform their 15 minute programmes, with the M3 Band under Gareth Ritter gaining a Gold Award, with BTM a Silver and Blaenavon a Bronze.

Paul added: “This is the level of banding that everyone in Wales must do as much as possible to encourage. It’s all about participation, enjoyment and fun. It was good to see the conductors do just that today, and this gives Welsh banding real hope for the future if we can expand this good practice to all corners of the Principality.”

Official help

However, both Paul and Ian were concerned that the hard working officials at the contest are not getting the help they require to run a demanding event such as this year in year out.

Ian in particular expressed his real concerns as someone observing from the outside. “There were a couple of mistakes made on the day that were due to the immense pressure these wonderful people were under.

It’s unfair to ask so much of them time and time again. I think the time has come for an entry requirement to a contest such as this to insist that at least one non playing member of a competing band must help in some organisational capacity on the day – it would make a huge difference.”

Echo

It was a sentiment echoed by Paul. “I have seen the same people put in so much work and commitment over the years. They need help – and the bands and especially the players must do their bit if these great local contests are to prosper in the future.”

Results:

Championship Section:
Adjudicator: Ian Brownbill

1. Burry Port (Nigel Seaman) – 192
2. BTM (Tom Davoran) – 191
3. Tylorstown (Gary Davies) – 187
4. Abergavenny Borough (Craig Roberts) – 186
5. Pontardulais (Paul Jenkins) – 182
6. RAF St Athan (Alan Bourne) – 180
7. Rogerstone (Jamie Jones) – 179
8. Markham & District (Adrian Morton) — 176

Best Instrumentalist: Jayne Thomas – soprano (Burry Port)
Best Trombone: Geriant Thomas (Burry Port)
Best Bass Section: BTM

First Section:
Adjudicator: Paul Holland

1. City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) (Gareth Ritter) – 190
2. Ynyshir (Dean Evans) – 185
3. Blaenavon Town (Andrew Jones) – 184

Best Instrumentalist: Frances Wilson — euphonium (City of Cardiff)

Second Section:
Adjudicator: Ian Brownbill

1. Llwydcoed (Gary Davies) – 180
2. Lewis Merthyr (Gareth Pritchard) – 179
3. Gwaun Cae Gurwen (Colin Hogg ) – 177
4. Briton Ferry (Dr Christian Jenkins) – 175

Best Instrumentalist: Iestyn Davies – cornet (Llywdcoed)

Third Section:
Adjudicator: Paul Holland

1. Goodwick Brass (Matthew Jenkins) – 188
2. Pontypool Brass (Mike Davies) – 185
3. Ammanford Town (Glyn R Davies) – 183
4. Seindorf Crwbin (Julian Jones) – 182
5. Abertillery & District (Dean Evans) – 181
6. Ogmore Valley (Alice Jones) – 180
7. Tata Steel Port Talbot (Ceri Thomas) – 178
8. Newport Borough (Ivor Barnett) – 177

Best Instrumentalist: Luke Jenkisn — cornet (Goodwick Brass)
Best Horn Section: Pontypool Brass

Fourth Section:
Adjudicator: Ian Brownbill

1. M2 (Dewi Griffiths) – 80
2. Severn Tunnel (Joshua Ruck) – 78
3. Oakdale Silver (Adrian Browning) – 76

Best Instrumentalist: Lyndon Dunstan — cornet (M2)

Junior Section:
Adjudicator: Paul Holland

Gold Award: M3 (Gareth Ritter)
Silver Award: BTM – Next Generation (Mark Hutcherson)
Bronze Award: Blaenavon (Evan Smith)

2001 Welsh League Champions:

Championship Section:
Joint Winners: Abergavenny Borough & Tylorstown
Runner Up: Burry Port

First Section:
Winners: City of Cardiff (Melingriffith)
Runner Up: Ynyshir

Second Section:
Winners: Llwydcoed
Runner Up: Lewis Merthyr

Third Section:
Winners: Seindorf Crwbin
Runner Up: Abertillery & District

Fourth Section:
Winners: M2
Runner Up: Oakdale Silver

Welsh Conductor of the Year: Dewi Griffiths (M2)