The Memorial Hall in Burry Port was alive to the sound of brass last weekend when Burry Port Band held their second West Wales Brass Festival boosted by an encouraging field of entries.

Double

With numbers doubled from the inaugural event in 2012, the adjudicators Alan Bourne, Matthew Jenkins, Tom Davoren and Nigel Seaman sat back to enjoy plenty of top class playing from some of the most talented young players in South Wales and beyond.

Pleasure

Tom Davoren told 4BR: "It was a real pleasure to adjudicate again this year and it is heartening to see Burry Port looking outside the boundaries of self-perseveration to benefit brass playing of all levels throughout Wales.

The day was both fun filled and musically exciting and I can’t wait to come back next year!"

Delighted

Band Chairman Graham Howe, added: "We were delighted to receive support from the Burry Port & Pembrey Town Councils, Ty Cerdd, Treveda Music and parents of the performers all supporting the event, whilst Jenkins Photography captured many memories for the young players involved."

He added: "It was especially pleasing to see not only the young players performing, but all young conductors being given opportunities too — something we will try to encourage more of for future events."

Next year

Festival Coordinator Geraint Thomas was equally pleased: "Preparations for next year’s event have already started, with a provisional date either at the end of January or the beginning of February, where we hope to be able to provide additional percussion sections."

The day was both fun filled and musically exciting and I can’t wait to come back next year!Tom Davoren

Results:

Solo 10 and under:
Gold Awards:
Carys Lewis
Dino Callegari
Emily Lewis

Silver:
Alice Tracey
Amy Tomkins
Ellie Carlsen
Eloise Denny
Emma Evans
Iestyn Allen

Bronze:
Cari Jones
Gruff Weston
Iwan Hill
Jessica Lewis

Solo 12 and under:
Gold Award:
Peredur Morgan

Silver:
Harry McBryde
Katie Hill
Ieuan Duck

Solo 14 and under:
Gold Award:
Charlotte Lewis

Silver:
Jessica Berry

Bronze:
Kate Phillips

Solo 16 and under:
Gold Award:
Meleri Mai Pryse

Silver:
Omri Tau
Owen Harries

Solo 18 and under:
Gold Award:
Emily Humphreys

Open Solo:
Gold Awards:
Andrea Lewis
Emily Humphreys

Silver:
Pete Greenwood

Bronze:
Ceri Parry Morgan

Youth Band 19 and under:
Aberytwyth Youth Band — Gold

Youth Band 21 and under:
Goodwick Brass — Gold

Duet & Trio 14 & under:
Gold Award:
Aberystwyth Trio

Silver:
Penclawdd Euph & Horn Duet
Emma Evans & Gruff Weston

Bronze:
Penclawdd Cornet Duet

Highly Commended:
Penclawdd Tuba Duet -

Open Duet & Trio:
Charlotte & Andrea Lewis — Gold

Small Ensemble 14 and under:
Aberystwyth Tots — Gold
Aberystwyth Saturn — Silver
Aberystwyth Jupiter — Bronze
Penclawdd Quartet — Highly Commended

Small Ensemble 19 and under:
Aberystwyth Venus — Gold

Open Small Ensemble
Quadruple Brass — Gold
Burry Port IV — Gold

Large Ensemble 14 and under:
Burry Port Youth Band — Gold
Aberystwyth Tots Large Ensemble — Silver
Rhondda Cynon Taf Junior Brass Ensemble — Bronze
Penclawdd Youth Band — Highly Commended

Large Ensemble 19 and under:
Aberystwyth Mercury Large Ensemble — Gold

Trevada Music Cup for Most Promising Youth Band:
Goodwick Brass

Ted Mayb Memorial Cup for Most Promising Youth Ensemble:
Burry Port Youth Band

Trevada Music Award for Most Promising Youth Player (12 and Under):
Charlotte Lewis

Tim Bourne Memorial Award for Most Promising Youth Player (16 and Under):
Meleri Mai Pryse