There were plenty of early festive celebrations for bands to enjoy in Merthyr Tydfil on the weekend as the 2015 Welsh League Championship season came to its climax.
Directed by Chris Turner, Llwydcoed's victory on their own-choice selection of 'Journey to the Centre of the Earth' not only gave them possession of the top flight SEWBBA Dewar Challenge Trophy, but also saw them take possession of the magnificent Welsh League Cup as they claimed the Championship Section title for the first time in their 103 year history (above).
Growing strength
In a contest that reflected the growing strength of top section banding in south Wales, the two bands that recently claimed the top spots at the First Section National Final in Cheltenham were close on their heels.
Eventually City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) led home Goodwick Brass, as the two rivals produced well-worked renditions of 'Partita' and 'Tallis Variations' respectively.
Adjudicators David Childs and Owen Farr informed the audience that they had been pleased with the 'sensible choices' made by the MDs to reflect the strengths of their bands, whilst mention was made of the excellent work from the various percussion sections.
Llwydcoed's Mark Wilkes took the 'Best Trombone' prize, with a delighted Martin Davies for once upstaging his older brother Austin (Band Manager at Cory) by claiming a well deserved 'Best Instrumentalist' award! The 'Best Bass Section' prize went to Goodwick.
Markham double
It was also a 'double' celebration to savour in the First Section, as Markham & District not only took the South Wales Miners Gala Trophy, but in the process claimed the overall 2015 Welsh League title.
Directed by rising talent Matt Rowe, they produced a 'very impressive' account of 'Tallis Variations' according to adjudicator David Childs, to take the honours by a clear two-point margin from Blaenavon's vibrant 'Chaucer's Tunes' with Lewis Merthyr a point further back with their account of 'Purcell Variations'.
Euphonium player Jeff Thomas of Ammanford took the 'Best Instrumentalist' award.
All conquering Ebbw Valley
There was little doubt where the Second Section Welsh League was heading after National Champion Ebbw Valley once again gave an impressive display of their all-round capabilities under the direction of MD Gareth Ritter.
Their fine rendition of 'Trittico' gave a commanding three point margin of victory over rivals Thomas Coaches Mid Rhondda's well worked account of 'Kaleidoscope' with Seindorf Arian Crwbin's bold 'Endeavour' in third.
Welcome visitors from across the River Severn, City of Bristol and Bream Silver came fifth and sixth respectively.
Victory gave Ebbw Valley their fifth contest victory in six outings this season with a performance described as 'exceptional' by adjudicator David Childs, whilst rising horn star Heini Williams of Crwbin took the 'Best Instrumentalist' award.
Abertillery success
Not even a number 1 draw could deny Abertillery & District a contest and Welsh League 'double' on the day, as under the baton of Josh Ruck they delivered a splendid performance of 'Music for a Festival' to claim the Mel Huntley Memorial Trophy.
The performance was aided by a fine 'Best Instrumentalist' contribution by euphonium player Stephen Bard as they repelled the strong 'Triptych' challenge of runner-up Newport Borough with Gwaun Cae Gurwen's rendition of 'The Pacemakers' in third.
It also enabled Abertillery to claim the Welsh League honours from runner-up Gwaun Cae Gurwen, whilst David Childs congratulated the MDs for their choices of music as 'good banding basics' were adhered to, whilst the standard of solo playing was in his words, 'excellent'. The 'Best Horn Section' award went to Newport Borough.
Usk triumphant
In the Fourth Section, Usk Band rounded off a truly memorable year as they claimed their first Welsh League title to add to their National success at Cheltenham in September.
Although the contest only saw two competitors, the standard of playing on show for adjudicator David Childs was in his words, 'superb' — as Usk delivered a polished rendition of 'Little Suite in F' the beat the determined challenge of their young rivals Phoenix Brass from the Goodwick Band organisation, who played 'The Dark Side of the Moon'.
The youngest player award in the Third & Fourth Sections went to 8 year old Samuel Lewis Howell of Phoenix Brass, with Gareth Ritter taking the 'Best Instrumentalist' award.
Youth delights
The next generation of young Welsh banding talent was certainly on show in the Youth Section, where five ensembles gave splendid 15 minute programmes under their inspirational conductors.
In the end adjudicator Nigel Seaman gave Gold Awards to Melingriffith Youth, Milford Haven Juniors and Rhondda Fach Youth, with Silver Awards to BTM Learners and M4 Beginners.
The hall was packed with proud parents and family members as each band took to the stage, with 5 year old Noah Davies from Rhondda Fach Youth taking the 'Youngest Player' award and the excellent trio from Milford Haven Juniors (all under the age of 11) taking the 'Best Percussion' prize.
A very accomplished 11 year old Rhys Evans took the 'Best Instrumentalist' award for his great solo playing on 'Rule the World', with 8 year old tuba player Nia Llewellyn becoming the first recipient of the Gwyn Press Memorial Award, presented by Tredegar Band.
Adjudicator Nigel Seaman told the audience that having judged the bands a year ago at this event, he felt each had made 'significant progress' in the past year — something reflected in his awards and his written remarks.
The Eric James Welsh Conductor of the Year Award was presented to Matthew Jenkins of Goodwick.
Successful year
The contest rounded off another highly successful year for Welsh banding, despite the two south Wales Associations still unable to agree upon the implementation of national grading for local contests.
Directed by Chris Turner, Llwydcoed claimed the top section Welsh League title for the first time in their 103 year history4BR
Results:
Championship Section:
Adjudicators: David Childs & Owen Farr
1. Llwydcoed (Chris Turner) — 194
2. City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) (Nigel Seaman) — 192
3. Goodwick Brass (Matthew Jenkins) — 190
4. Pontardulais Town (Paul Jenkins) — 188
5. Tylorstown (Gary Davies) — 186
6. Abergavenny Borough (Alun F Williams) — 184
Best Instrumentalist: Martin Davies (Eb tuba) — City of Cardiff (Melingriffith)
Best Bass Section: Goodwick
Best Trombone: Mark Wilkes (Llwydcoed)
2015 Welsh League Champion: Llwydcoed
Runner-Up: Goodwick
First Section:
Adjudicator: David Childs
1. Markham & District (Matt Rowe) — 186
2. Blaenavon Town (James Jones) — 184
3. Lewis Merthyr (Craig Roberts) — 183
4. Ammanford (Glyn R Davies) — 182
5. Parc & Dare (Andrew Jones) — 181
6. City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) 2 (Robin Hackett) — 177
7. RAF St Athan (Adrian Morton) — 174
Best Instrumentalist: Jeff Thomas (euphonium) — Ammanford
2015 Welsh League Champion: Markham & District
Joint Runner-Up: Parc & Dare; Lewis Merthyr
Second Section:
Adjudicator: Owen Farr
1. Ebbw Valley (Gareth Ritter) — 192
2. Thomas Coaches Mid Rhondda (Alan Gibbs) — 189
3. Seindorf Arian Crwbin (Chris Turner) — 187
4. City of Bristol (Bryn James) — 186
5. Bream Silver (Phil Turner) — 180
6. Ynyshir (Gary Davies) — 179
7. Penclawdd (Tony Small) — 177
8. Briton Ferry (Jeff Pearce) — 176
Best Instrumentalist: Heini Williams (horn) — Seindorf Arian Crwbin
2015 Welsh League Champion: Ebbw Valley
Runner-Up: Thomas Coaches Mid Rhondda
Third Section:
Adjudicator: David Childs
1. Abertillery & District (Josh Ruck) — 173
2. Newport Borough (Robin Hackett) — 172
3. Gwaun Cae Gurwen (Jeff Hutcherson) — 170
4. Severn Tunnel (Matt Rowe) — 169
5. Ogmore Silver (Alice Jones) — 168
Best Instrumentalist: Stephen Bard (euphonium) — Abertillery & District
Best Horn Section: Newport Borough
2015 Welsh League Champion: Abertillery & District
Runner-Up: Gwaun Cae Gurwen
Fourth Section:
Adjudicator: David Childs
1. Usk Brass (Jeff Jones) — 165
2. Phoenix Brass (Luke Jenkins) — 164
Best Instrumentalist: Gareth Ritter (euphonium) — Phoenix Brass
Youngest Player in Third/Furth Section: Samuel Lewis Howell (Phoenix Brass)
Youth Section:
Adjudicator: Nigel Seaman
Gold Awards:
Mellingriffith Youth (Carol Flanary-Davies)
Milford Haven Juniors (Bron Parratt)
Rhondda Fach Youth (Angela Westacott)
Silver Awards:
BTM Learners (Kirsty Jones)
M4 Beginners (Gareth Jones)
Best Instrumentalist: Rhys Evans (Milford Haven Juniors)
Best Percussion Section: Milford Haven Juniors
Youngest Player: Noah Davies (aged 5) — Rhondda Fach Youth
Gwyn Press Memorial Award to Youngest Tuba Player: Nia Llewellyn (aged 8) — Milford Haven Juniors
Welsh Conductor of the Year:
Eric James Welsh Conductor of the Year Award: Matthew Jenkins (Goodwick)
