Scottish Open champions Tongwynlais Temperance has announced that they will be partnered by Steve Sykes for their National Finals appearance at the Royal Albert Hall next weekend.

Fortunate

Band Chairman Jason Bevan told 4BR: "We were fortunate to work with Steve over the summer where he conducted us at the Ironbridge Gorge Brass Festival and where we responded well to his style of conducting and approach to rehearsals."

Since the departure of Phil Harper in May, Tongwynlais has worked with a number of conductors before deciding to team up with the highly experienced tuba virtuoso, conductor and adjudicator on ‘Daphnis & Chloe’.

Pleasure

Steve added: "It’s a great pleasure to have been invited to conduct Tongwynlais at the National Finals and I'm looking forward to the occasion. The band has made great strides in recent years and there is real talent throughout the band. I'm sure that they are all revved up to perform!"

He added: "The band is very well organised, posses a great mix of 'young guns' and experienced players and has a good work ethic and it’s clear they’re relishing the challenge."

The band is very well organised, posses a great mix of 'young guns' and experienced players and has a good work ethic and it’s clear they’re relishing the challengeSteve Sykes

Fantastic opportunity

Jason Bevan concluded: "It’s a fantastic opportunity for the band to work with a conductor of Steve’s standing and heading to London for the second time in three years."