Tredegar lived up to their pre-contest tags as favourites to retain the Welsh Open Entertainment title in Porthcawl on Saturday, as they claimed the ornate CISWO Challenge Cup and £1,000 first prize for a record 10th time.

Very highest class

Conducted by Ian Porthouse, the reigning champion also made it a hat trick of wins with a commanding performance ‘...of the very highest class’ according to adjudicator John Berryman, and which also saw principal euphonium player Byron Newton claim the ‘Best Soloist’ prize.

Following their disappointment at Butlins in January, a revitalised Tongwynlais Temperance returned to form to produce a polished 20 minute programme to secure second place, whilst last year’s runner up BTM set aside their recent blip at Yeovil to come third.

The welcome challenge from North Wales saw Northop take fourth place with City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) laying down a marker ahead of their top section debuts in Swansea in a few weeks time by securing an impressive fifth. Pontardulais also showed good early season form in coming sixth.

We put in five consecutive rehearsals for this and it paid off. It’s an important year for the band and we want to carry on building and improvingTredegar MD, Ian Porthouse

Packed hall

The Grand Pavilion was packed with listeners for the majority of the day – drawn by the promise of varied programmes (no piece was repeated) and the fear of being caught outside in a horrendous squall of bad weather, which saw icy waves crashing against the Porthcawl seafront and horizontal rain chilling the bones of competitors as they waited to change in the marquee outside the hall.

However, there was a great deal to warm the cockles inside in art deco theatre, as Tredegar stamped their quality on the contest with a programme that owed much to their prize winning Brass in Concert appearance last November.

Reprise

The opening cornet feature ‘There is a Great Day Coming’ segued into the fleet footed ‘Matra’s Dance’, before New Zealander Byron Newton delivered a cracking rendition of the last two movements of Philip Wilby’s ‘Euphonium Concerto’ without music – literally — as it came complete with Greek plate smashing finale.

A suave contrast came with Pat Methany’s ‘Letter from Home’ before the Masters champion rounded off their set with Matt Hall’s award winning ‘Nightingale Dances’.

Focussed

"It was playing of the very highest class," John Berryman later told 4BR. "It would have been difficult to beat at any entertainment contest. It was so focussed and tightly played with an outstanding soloist too."

The winning MD was equally pleased. Ian Porthouse added: "We wanted to start the season where we finished last year – playing with confidence and quality. We put in five consecutive rehearsals for this and it paid off. It’s an important year for the band and we want to carry on building and improving."

Hot Buzz

Ian was especially pleased with his leading soloist as well as the way other young players had made their mark too.

"Buzz was outstanding today. His work ethic is second to none and he has become a very impressive performer, whilst our new signings, especially Rhys Barrett on soprano really stepped up to the mark too."

Tong smiles

There were smiles on faces of Tongwynlais players despite not being able to claim their first Welsh Open title, after they made a welcome return to form ahead of the Area Championship in March.

Their polished programme under the direction of Philip Harper also owed much to their recent Butlins appearance, with the MD once again challenging as well as entertaining the audience with a mix that included Paul McGhee’s Steve Reich inspired ‘Clap!’, balanced against a bit of classic 1960’s Drifters and ending with Stravinsky’s ‘Firebird’.

Extra spur

However, as Band Secretary Jenny Jones told 4BR, the disappointment of Skegness gave them an extra spur to perform here.

"We know we didn’t play well at Butlins," she said. "We were determined to show just why we claimed the Scottish Open title last year. It’s given us the boost of confidence we needed to ensure we go to Swansea knowing just how well we will have to perform if we are to claim a qualification place for London."

With Tredegar and Tongwynlais eager to claim one of the brace of extra Welsh qualification places on offer this year, there was also encouragement for two other Swansea bound rivals, as BTM and Northop ended the day in third and fourth respectively.

Colourful

BTM produced a colourful account of themselves under the direction of Tom Davoren that was just tarnished by a few too many unforced errors, whilst Northop delivered a solid programme that featured some Russell Gray favourites to push closely for the final podium place.

City Cardiff (Melingriffith) ensured that a host of rivals will be looking over their Swansea shoulders as Gareth Ritter led his band to a well deserved fifth place thanks to a highly inventive set that also saw them take home the £300 ‘Most Entertaining Stage Presentation’ prize.

Thriller

Pontardulais Town also showed good form as they prepare for ‘The Devil’ by coming sixth with the aid of some appropriate diabolic dancing from MD Paul Jenkins and his band on screen and stage in the opening Michael Jackson, ‘Thriller’.

Impressed

John Berryman was impressed with the overall standard of the 11 performers, who provided close on seven hours of entertainment fayre – and made special mention of the playing of the bands of First Section grading and of the featured soloists.

"I enjoyed all the performances today," he said. "What did impress me was the standard of the First Section bands. Welsh banding is very strong at the moment and I could hear why. You also have some impressive soloists too."

Retirement

Chief amongst those was Tylorstown, directed by Gary Davies who took the £300 and Eifion Rogers Trophy for the ‘Highest Placed First Section Band’ thanks to a well thought out programme that showed that they are in classy form ahead of the Brangwyn Hall.

The contest came to a close with a welcome presentation to South Wales Miner’s Eisteddfod organiser Dewi Roger Price, who retired after 38 years in post, and who has been instrumental in ensuring the Welsh Open has become an integral part of the Welsh contesting calendar.

The future of young Welsh playing talent was also recognised with the presentation of the £500 Graham Rees Memorial Bursary to tenor horn player Hannah Eve Rogers.

Images

Images from the contest can be seen at:
http://www.4barsrest.com/articles/2012/1295a.asp

Images of the prize winners can be seen at:
http://www.4barsrest.com/articles/2012/1295b.asp

Results:
Adjudicator: John Berryman

1. Tredegar (Ian Porthouse) — 194
2. Tongwynlais Temperance (Philip Harper) — 192
3. BTM (Tom Davoren) — 191
4. Northop (Russell Gray) — 190
5. City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) (Gareth Ritter) — 187
6. Pontardulais Town (Paul Jenkins) — 186
7. Tylorstown (Gary Davies) — 185
8. Burry Port Town (Steve Sykes) — 184
9. Abergavenny Borough (Craig Roberts) — 182
10. Lewis Merthyr (Gareth Pritchard) — 181
11. Markham & District (Adrian Morton) — 180

Best Soloist: Byron Newton (euphonium) — Tredegar
Most Entertaining Stage Presentation: City of Cardiff (Melingriffith)
Highest Placed First Section Band not in Prizes: Tylorstown
Youngest Player: William Mead (Lewis Merthyr)

Graham Rees Memorial Award Winner: Hannah Eve Rodgers

Prizes:
1. £1,000
2. £500
3. £300

Entertainment Award: £300
Highest First Section not in Prizes: £300