British Open Champion Tredegar has made it through to the final of the 2014 Band Cymru competition following the latest semi-final programme broadcast on the Welsh language S4C channel.

Highest praise

Under the direction of Ian Porthouse, their choreographed opening of ‘All Night Long’, the xylophone solo ‘Helter Skelter’ featuring Gavin Pritchard, ‘Benedictus’ from the ‘Armed Man’ with soloist Matthew White, and the closing ‘Nightingale Dances’, gained the highest praise from the contest judges as well as the duo of television presenters in the Parc & Dare Hall.

Geraint Cynan called, ‘... as masterpiece from start to finish’, whilst fellow broadcaster Branwen Gwynn added that, ‘...it was entertainment of the highest note’.

Incredible

The official judges were equally impressed, with Norwegian tuba star Oystein Baadsvik calling it, ‘...an incredible musical journey’ and Halle orchestra principal trumpet Gareth Small adding that it was ‘a most polished performance.’ Big band conductor Barry Forgie stated, ‘...they displayed terrific dynamism — they shook the audience by the throat.'

High class challenge

It proved good enough to beat off the high class challenge of rivals Northop Silver from North Wales directed by Thomas Wyss, and the Teddy Smith Big Band from the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama.

Northop’s more traditional programme set featured an outstanding rendition of ‘I Hear You Calling Me’ by principal cornet Geraint Jones, as well as the march, ‘Praise’, ‘Czardas’ and the finale from the ‘New World Symphony’.

Meanwhile, the eclectic nature of the competition saw the Teddy Smith Big Band entertain the audience with music from Pat Metheny in ‘First Circle’ as well as ‘The Sweet Time Suite’ and ‘When You’re Smiling’ by Tom Kubis.

Big band conductor Barry Forgie stated, '...they displayed terrific dynamism — they shook the audience by the throat.'4BR

£10,000 first prize

Tredegar now take their place alongside Tongwynlais Temperance as one of the four bands whose performances will be reconsidered by the adjudication panel to see if they will be revealed as the £10,000 winner takes all champion in a special live broadcast programme on Saturday 24th May.

The next semi-final on Saturday evening at 9.00pm will feature 2013 National First Section champion Tylorstown up against Chamber Winds and the Capital City Jazz Orchestra, with National champions Cory up against the Liberty Big Band and the James Clark Lonely Hearts Rugby Club Band on Saturday 17th May.

Watch again:

The second semi-final, featuring Tredegar can be viewed at:

http://www.s4c.co.uk/clic/e_level2.shtml?series_id=519870584