The Greater Gwent Youth Band has won the inaugural Youth Band Cymru competition which was run in conjunction with the main Band Cymru contest this year.

The live broadcast on the S4C channel was held at Treorchy's Parc & Dare Theatre last weekend, when four of the nation's best youth ensembles performed their entertainment programmes for judges John Faddis, Colin Sheen and Graham O Jones, as well as a packed audience in the hall and at home.

£1,000 first prize

Fresh from their appearance at the European Youth Championship in Lille, Greater Gwent had qualified alongside Band Jazz Tryfan, Gwent Youth Wind Orchestra, and Cardiff and Vale Music Service Youth Jazz Orchestra to battle it out for the £1,000 first prize.

Under the baton of Gareth Ritter, their victory was unanimous according to the straight talking judges, but also hard won...'just half a point' in their post contest recorded remarks, as they beat off the strong challenge of Band Jazz Tryfan in particular.

Brass is best

Victory lived up to the band's playful pre-contest boast of 'Brass is Best', as the judges made a point of emphasising their good balance, full dynamics and choreography — and that 'they did something a bit different' in a programme that started with 'Brooklyn' by the Youngblood Brass Band, before segueing into the contrasting 'Shepherd's Song', the comedic 'Mr Sandman' and the finale of American 'old south' tunes in 'Country Clambake'.

High standard

Before the announcement of the identity of the winners was made, adjudicator Graham O Jones stated that the competition had shown what 'a shining example' of 'the high standard of youth music in Wales'.

That was also shown by the other competing ensembles with Band Jazz Tryfan showcasing their versatility in their set that included a wonderful piece of lyrical trombone playing from Merin Lleu on 'Over the Rainbow' , which according to John Faddis would have deservedly won a 'Best Soloist' prize if it had been available: 'It was impeccable' he said.

Brass is best on this occasion, but the standard from all the other ensembles was superb — and echoes the opinion of the judges that Wales produces wonderful young musiciansGareth Ritter

Superb

The victory for Greater Gwent rounded off a memorable first half of the year for the band following successful appearances at the National Youth and European Championships.

"The band is fantastic,"Gareth Ritter told 4BR. "The players are superb, but the organisation behind them to ensure they perform to the level they have shown in Manchester, Lille and here is down to so many people who I owe a great deal of thanks to as well.

Brass is best on this occasion, but the standard from all the other ensembles was superb — and echoes the opinion of the judges that Wales produces wonderful young musicians."