Cory responded to one of the most demanding tests of their undisputed world number 1 status in recent years, by retaining the Welsh Regional title with a ‘touch of magic’ on ‘The Torchbearer’ at the Brangwyn Hall in Swansea.
Digging deep into their musical reserves under MD Philip Harper to repel the imposing challenge of rivals Tredegar, that extra veneer of musicality enabled them to claim their 31st Area success, as well as secure their place as the nation’s representative at the 2016 European Championship in Lille.
With the highest stakes in Welsh banding on offer, a delighted Northop Silver and Tongwynlais Temperance claimed the additional Albert Hall qualification places after coming third and fourth, whilst Burry Port Town and Llwydcoed made up the top six in a contest that encompassed both ends of the quality spectrum on Peter Graham’s testing homage to Eric Ball.
Touch of magic
“It was very difficult to separate the top two,” adjudicator Steve Sykes later told 4BR as he repeated his clearly defined pre-results opinion given to the audience.
“It was that little touch of magic at 241 that gave the winners the edge. The ensemble was so beautifully pianissimo and the cornet cadenza so artistic, that it was something to savour.”
Those remarks also echoed his written judgment in which he noted that the cornet led chorale had given, ‘at last a ‘pp’…’ and a ‘wonderful cornet cadenza — at ‘p’ too!’ — moments that tipped the destiny of the title in the champions favour, and gave principal cornet Tom Hutchinson a deserved ‘Best Instrumentalist’ award for his peerless personal contribution.
Satisfaction
‘A great conclusion’ with ‘plenty left in the tank’ also rounded off a performance that brought immense satisfaction to MD Philip Harper.
“I’m relieved to put that one behind us,” he told 4BR after securing possession of the trophy as winning conductor.
“It’s such simple looking music on paper, but so difficult to play. We knew Tredegar had given an outstanding performance, so to produce playing of that quality showed the great character and talent of the players I’m so lucky to work with.
They are an amazing band, especially under pressure — and Tom just epitomised that today.”
Emotional win
Band Manager Austin Davies was also delighted by the result, which now sees a supremely confident Cory head to Freiburg in May boosted by an imposing response to such a stern test to their major contest winning credentials.
“It’s always one of our most important aims to win the Area contest as it means so much to the band to be able to represent Wales at the European.”
He added: “This was a great win. It’s been an emotional time for the band with serious illness bringing enforced changes, but to also do it by winning the John Trotman Trophy for the ‘Best Bass Section’ has given everyone a huge boost.”
That presentation was made by the former Cory stalwart’s widow, Doreen, now aged 92, to round off a clean sweep of the awards for Philip Harper’s band and to reinforce their position as the world’s number 1 ranked band.
Wonderful performance
With Steve Sykes stating Tredegar produced a ‘simply wonderful performance’ with their engrossing rendition under Ian Porthouse to come runner-up for a third successive year, the tuba star also revealed that although he had no problem placing Northop third, he did have difficulty separating fourth and fifth — eventually giving the nod to a delighted Tongwynlais Temperance.
“I first thought it was sacrilege that Peter Graham had tried to write a piece like this,” Steve told the audience before the announcement of the results. “Now though I’ve changed my mind. It’s a wonderfully respectful work to Eric Ball — and a real test piece.”
He added: “The top two bands gave me exactly what I wanted to hear with superb performances, but it was equally as hard to separate fourth and fifth.”
First Section:
Wales will send two outstanding representatives to Cheltenham following a high class First Section contest which also saw the adjudicator finding it hard to separate the top two bands.
“The winners just pipped it on musicality,” adjudicator Glyn Williams told the audience before the results were announced to reveal City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) as the new champion, closely followed by Goodwick.
Impressive
Both bands had earlier produced impressive accounts of ‘A London Overture’ that certainly lived up to Glyn’s assessment that they had been ‘excellent’ — so much so that even a ‘very good’ performance from third placed Parc & Dare was left in their wake.
However, the Foden’s star did point out that, ‘a couple of bands overblew and became strident’, whilst others faltered due to excessive speed and lacking warmth in the lyrical middle section.
Imposing marker
Not so the top two, with Goodwick’s vibrant rendition under Matthew Jenkins setting an imposing early marker, enhanced by the wonderful ‘Best Instrumentalist’ award winning playing of his brother Luke on principal cornet.
However, the experienced Nigel Seaman managed to top it with City of Cardiff (Melingriffith), with a supremely confident performance of solo and ensemble security — led by their outstanding soloist, trombonist, Robin Hackett.
On a day when the fearsome quartet of cadenzas was generally well handled by soloists in each band, Glyn Williams made a point of spotlighting Luke and Robin — telling the knowledgeable audience that both had been ‘superb’.
Rejuvenated
Behind them, Parc & Dare showed further evidence of their rejuvenation under Andrew Jones to end third, whilst the remaining top six places in a contest where most bands showed that they had Sparke’s stern test at least close to their all-round abilities went to Lewis Merthyr, Pontardulais Town and Llanrug.
Milestone
The contest also marked yet another milestone in MD’s Nigel Seaman’s conducting career — 35 years after his Area debut with the baton in Swansea in 1978.
“It’s nice to still be able to make it to the stage at my age!” he laughed as he held the sliver salver as winning conductor.
“It’s great to work with bands at all levels in Wales, but even better when they show such enthusiasm, commitment and dedication to making music like this. It was a cracking performance from an excellent band that is maturing with each contest.”
Pleased
Nigel was especially pleased with the written remarks from Glyn, which read: ‘A well rehearsed performance that had such authority’, adding, ‘Excellent soloists and musical approach from MD’ — although it was the little sentence ‘I hear good detail’ that thrilled him most.
“That’s the result of hard work and players taking what they learned in the rehearsal room into the stage,” he said. “After 35 years it’s nice to read that!”
Second Section:
There appears to be no stopping the Ebbw Valley juggernaut of success, as the ‘double’ national champion claimed a third successive Area title under Gareth Ritter.
Their sights are now firmly focused on making it a ‘treble’ at Cheltenham, after delivering an outstanding rendition of ‘Variations on Maccabeus’ that adjudicator Steve Sykes told the audience would make them ‘wonderful representatives at the finals’.
They will be joined by Deiniolen, after Lois Jones led the North Walians to the final for the first time since 2010 with an excellent performance enhanced by the splendid playing of ‘Best Instrumentalist’ winner, Dylan Williams on cornet.
Very difficult piece
Despite the quality of the qualifiers, it was still a contest that saw many in the eight band field struggle to make an impression on what Steve Sykes called, ‘a very difficult piece’.
He added that ‘six bands had problems with the first note’ as well highlighting that each had varying degrees of trouble with the fourth variation.
However, despite the ensemble difficulties, he did add that some of the solo playing had been of a high quality — spotlighting the soprano of Ogmore Valley (who came 8th) as ‘wonderful’.
In the end the final podium spot went to Royal Buckley Town with top six places going to Blaenavon Town, Crwbin and Rogerstone.
Super performance
No such difficulties though for Ebbw Valley, who continued their remarkable run of contesting success aided by their prize winning percussion section with a rendition of the set work that Steve Sykes noted in his written remarks as, ‘All in all a super performance’.
“I’m delighted that we have again shown we can make the step up in class,” MD Gareth Ritter told 4BR.
“It’s been plenty of hard work and commitment on such a difficult piece, but it certainly showed on stage. The players continue to amaze me with their drive and ambition — and now we can’t wait to try and claim a third victory at Cheltenham.”
Third Section:
There could not have been a more delighted representative of a winning band than that seen with the announcement of Rhyl Silver as Third Section champion.
Geoff Lewis, who has played with the North Walians for over 40 years, jumped higher than Alun Wyn Jones in a Welsh line-out after they were declared as winners, a victory that sent the band back to the Final for the second time in four years.
Fine music making
In fact he only stayed still long enough to have his picture taken with adjudicator Glyn Williams, who described their rendition of ‘Evolution — Five States of Change’ in his written remarks as, ‘…a solid performance’ with, ‘fine music making…creating all the different moods required to make the piece work.’
To make the celebration even more memorable, principal cornet Stuart Parry won the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ award for his ‘excellent’ personal contribution.
A little later, after the rest of the band had joined Geoff on cloud nine with their first Area title since 1999, MD Keith Jones told 4BR: “I’m thrilled for everyone. It was such a difficult piece to master — but luckily for us our best bits were better than our bad bits and that made for a winning performance!”
Delighted
Joining Rhyl at Cheltenham was another delighted band, as Thomas Coaches Mid Rhondda, directed by Alan Gibbs, secured their first appearance since 2002, with a rendition that was one of just two that according to Glyn, ‘…really created atmosphere’.
Meanwhile, the final podium place in a contest where the euphonium star added, ‘the general playing was good’ but also showed, ‘fragility in the opening and ensemble throughout’, went to Ammanford Town, with the remaining top six places picked up by Northop Brass, Briton Ferry and Crosskeys Silver.
Fourth Section:
The enjoyable musical aperitif to the championship battle on Sunday afternoon came with nine bands tackling Dean Jones’ fine set work.
And despite the White Rose rugby team coming close to taking the Six Nations title at Twickenham, this was one ‘English’ inspired victory that brought great enjoyment to everyone in the hall.
Celebrated
None celebrated more though than the eventual winners Usk Town, whose last Area victory came back in 1982.
After years battling as a non-contesting senior band, they returned to the competition in 2013.
Now they have secured their place at Cheltenham, thanks to performance of ‘An English Pastorale’ that adjudicator Glyn Williams stated in his written remarks was, ‘…a well rehearsed performance that had excellent solo lines and good balance throughout the sections’.
Joining them at Cheltenham for the first time since 2011 will be Abertillery Youth & District, after Josh Ruck, who led AW Parker (Drybrook) to success in the Second Section at Torquay last weekend, this time working his youthful magic on the Gwent Valleys band.
Phoenix joy
There was also considerable joy for the recently formed Phoenix Band — the latest community arm to the vibrant Goodwick organisation.
Made up of youngsters and adult learners led by James Voros, they certainly enjoyed their Area debut by giving a compact rendition that already displayed the same musical hallmarks of their successful senior counterparts.
Not surprisingly then the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ award went to Matthew Jenkins, who swapped the baton for euphonium for what Glyn recognised with a wry grin as he walked to the stage to accept the award, was his ‘stunning’ playing.
However, third place eventually went to the emerging teenagers of Cwmtawe Youth, who produced a well worked account under Wayne Pedrick that ran the two qualifiers close, with the final top places picked up by Ynyshir, Newport Borough and Oakdale.
Master basics
Glyn Williams was also complimentary about the overall standard of playing he had heard, despite some ensembles struggling to ‘master the basics’ as he said.
The top three bands in particular had ‘been able to create atmosphere’ on what he described as a ‘great piece to listen to.’
With a number of bands featuring the latest generation of emerging Welsh brass band talent in their ranks, it was 9 year old Oliver Rhys Davies of Ynyshir who took the ‘Youngest Player’ award.
Swansea return
Despite the slickly run event running to time as well as featuring a welcome performance from the students of the RWCMD Brass Band under Dr Robert Childs (nearly all of who played in a competing band at the weekend), the return to the Brangwyn Hall was greeted with mixed responses from some competitors and listeners.
4BR was informed that despite the multi-million pound facelift, a number of bands were disappointed to still not be able to enjoy the benefits of a warm up room, whilst limited changing facilities and poor disabled and transport access were also said to have caused problems.
Some listeners also complained that intrusive noise could still be heard from rowdy rugby supporters in the nearby bar as bands played — although as one official later told 4BR, the success of the Welsh rugby team was something that was perhaps out of even their control.
to produce playing of that quality showed the great character and talent of the players I’m so lucky to work with. They are an amazing band, especially under pressure — and Tom just epitomised that todayCory MD, Philip Harper
Results:
Championship Section:
Test Piece: 'The Torchbearer' — Peter Graham
Adjudicator: Steve Sykes
1. Cory (Philip Harper)***
2. Tredegar (Ian Porthouse)**
3. Northop Silver (Thomas Wyss)*
4. Tongwynlais Temperance (John Berryman)*
5. Burry Port Town (Michael Thorne)
6. Llwydcoed (Chris Turner)
7. BTM (Jeff Hutcherson)
8. Tylorstown (Gary Davies)
*** Cory qualify as Welsh representative to 2016 European Championship
** Tredegar pre-qualified for National Final
* Northop and Tongwynlais qualify for National Final
Best Instrumentalist: Tom Hutchinson (cornet) — Cory
Best Bass Section: Cory
First Section:
Saturday 21st March
Test Piece: 'A London Overture' — Philip Sparke
Adjudicator: Glyn Williams
1. City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) (Nigel Seaman)*
2. Goodwick (Matthew Jenkins)*
3. Parc & Dare (Andrew Jones)
4. Lewis Merthyr (Gavin Pritchard)
5. Pontardulais Town (Christopher Bond)
6. Llanrug (Paul Hughes)
7. Markham & District (Gareth Pritchard)
8. Abergavenny Borough (Craig Roberts)
9. Penclawdd (Tony Small)
* Top 2 bands qualify for National Final
Best Instrumentalist: Luke Jenkins (cornet) Goodwick
Second Section:
Saturday 21st March
Test Piece: 'Variations on Maccabeus' — Kevin Norbury
Adjudicator: Steve Sykes
1. Ebbw Valley (Gareth Ritter)*
2. Deiniolen (Lois Jones)*
3. Royal Buckley Town (Scott Lloyd)
4. Blaenavon Town (Jamie Jones)
5. Seindorf Arian Crwbin (Chris Turner)
6. Rogerstone (Martyn Ford)
7. Newtown Silver (Steve Edwards)
8. Ogmore Valley Silver (Alice Jones)
* Top 2 bands qualify for National Final
Best Instrumentalist: Dylan Williams (cornet) — Deiniolen
Best Percussion Award: Ebbw Valley
Third Section:
Saturday 21st March
Test Piece:'Evolution, Five States of Change' — Philip Sparke
Adjudicator: Glyn Williams
1. Rhyl Silver (Keith Jones)*
2. Thomas Coaches Mid Rhondda (Alan Gibbs)*
3. Ammanford Town Silver (Glyn Davies)
4. Northop Brass (David Davies)
5. Briton Ferry (Jeff Pearce)
6. Crosskeys Silver (Ben Atkinson)
7. RAF St Athan (Nigel Seaman)
8. Gwaun Cae Gurwen (Jeff Hutcherson)
* Top 2 bands qualify for National Final
Best Instrumentalist: Stuart Parry (cornet) — Rhyl Silver
Fourth Section:
Test Piece: 'An English Pastorale'- Dean Jones
Adjudicator: Glyn Williams
1. Usk (Jeff Jones)*
2. Abertillery Youth & District (Josh Ruck)*
3. Cwmtawe Youth (Wayne Pedrick)
4. Ynyshir (Gary Davies)
5. Newport Borough (Robin Hackett)
6. Oakdale (Adrian Browning)
7. Phoenix (James Voros)
8. Upper Rhondda (Dave Langley)
9. Cwmbran (Jacob Pritchard)
* Top 2 bands qualify for National Final
Best Instrumentalist: Matthew Jenkins (euphonium) — Phoenix
Youngest Player: Oliver Rhys Davies (aged 9) — Ynyshir
