Newtown Silver Band recently held its annual concert and presentation evening at their local All Saints Church in the mid-Wales town.

The packed audience, which included the Town Mayor, enjoyed a varied selection of music given by the organisation’s three bands — the Learner and Training Bands in the first half and the Senior Band in the second.

Talents

The listeners also enjoyed the vocal talents of soprano Sarah Garrett, who performed ‘Rusalka’s Song to the Moon’ and ‘Panis Angelicus’ accompanied by the senior band under the direction of Steve Edwards.

During the second half, ‘Benedictus’ from ‘The Armed Man — a Mass for Peace ‘ was performed by one of the band’s young euphonium players William Hughes, who will be leaving for university later in the year.

Annual awards

Also during the evening the annual awards were presented, with the ‘Most Improved Learner’ award going to Amy Head; ‘Most Improved Member of the Training Band’ award won by Emily Simpson, and Training Band ‘Band Person of the Year’ claimed by Elaine Smith.

Senior awards were presented to Mandy Tompkins as ‘Most Improved Senior Player’; ‘Best Soloist’ to Philip Pryce and ‘Best Section’ to the Percussion team of Neil Vaughan and Adam Jones.

The Senior Band ‘Band Person of the Year’ was awarded to Ernie Capener and the Ian Bainbridge Memorial Cup (above) went to Alan and Margaret Breeze for all their work over the years in raising funds.

The Senior Band ‘Band Person of the Year’ was awarded to Ernie Capener and the Ian Bainbridge Memorial Cup went to Alan and Margaret Breeze for all their work over the years in raising funds4BR

Special presentation

A special presentation was made to Rev Nia Morris, All Saints Church and Neil Vaughan representing the Wales Air Ambulance of cheques of £300 each by Helen Bennett, representing the late President John Bennett, and Eifion Astley, representing Newtown Male Voice Choir following a joint St David’s Day Charity Concert.