Talented young players from all corners of Wales have successfully auditioned to perform with the National Youth Brass Band of Wales on their 2015 course to be led by Cory MD Philip Harper.
All parts
Players from Torfaen, Cardiff, Gwynedd, Bridgend, Ceredigion, Caerphilly, Pembrokeshire, Powys, Newport, Neath Port Talbot, Carmarthenshire, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Monmouthshire, Vale of Glamorgan, Wrexham and Ynys Mon will enjoy themselves in July next year at Malvern College, culminating on two high profile concert appearances.
Goodwick eight
No fewer than eight of the successful players come from one band organisation, with Goodwick Brass (six of them above) from Pembrokeshire sending an octet of thrilled representatives.
“Last year, we thought we had done well with five members in the national band,” Musical Director Matthew Jenkins told 4BR. “However, to nearly double that figure for 2015 is fantastic and real recognition of the hard work and achievements of the band and the players during the past year.”
For Ben Williams-Stacey (19) who plays bass trombone, this will be his fourth year in the band before he takes his place in the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, whilst another player notching up his fourth course is cornet player Alex Morgan (18).
Third, second and first
Fellow cornetist Ben Lawrence (18) will be enjoying his third course, whilst trombonist Nick McDonald (18), euphonium, Kiran Dearing (17) and tuba, Aled Meredith-Barrett (16), will be returning for a second time.
Debutants this year are tenor horn Geraint Harries (16) and Daniel Roche (14) on soprano cornet, whilst all eight players also play in various Pembrokeshire Schools ensembles.
Since 1996 Goodwick Brass have provided players numerous players for the National Youth Band, something Band Chairman Tony Evans is extremely proud of.
Like parents all around Wales we are very proud of what these youngsters have achieved, and I'm sure that the current batch will enjoy their course in the summerGoodwick Band Chairman, Tony Evans
Proud
He told 4BR: “Like parents all around Wales we are very proud of what these youngsters have achieved, and I'm sure that the current batch will enjoy their course in the summer.
It’s a great honour for the band and each individual player, to represent their country."
