*
banner

Blue Riband award tops Eisteddfod debut for Ela

13 year old Ela haf Williams certainly enjoyed her trip down to Abvergavenny for the Welsh National Eisteddfod on the weekend.

Ela haf Williams
  Blue Riband winner Ela haf Williams

It was certainly a Welsh National Eisteddfod to remember for the Deiniolen Band in Abergavenny on the weekend.

In addition to winning the Second Section title in fine style under MD, Lois Eifion Jones, the north Walian's young cornet player Ela haf Williams claimed the prestigious 'Blue Riband' Under 16 Instrumentalist Award — beating off competition from a talented trio cello, viola and piano players from the other instrumental classes.

Not fazed

The 13 year old from Bontnewydd was competing in the competition for the first time and certainly wasn't fazed by the thought of her performances of 'Concerto d'Aranquez' and 'Carnival of Venice' being broadcast live to the world on the national S4C television channel.

Her performances not only wowed the audience in the main pavilion, plus the five judges, but saw her also claim a cheque of £100 and a scholarship award of £1,0004BR

Wowed

Her performances not only wowed the audience in the main pavilion, plus the five judges, but saw her also claim a cheque of £100 and a scholarship award of £1,000.

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Bandstand

Radio: Bandstand

February 9 • More great music from the new brass band radio programme is being broadcast on ABC Classic in Australia.


radio

Radio: Touch of Brass

February 9 • More great music at a new time from Martin Upfold and Julie Hedges over the next two weeks.


eikanger

Results: 2026 Norwegian National Championships

February 7 • Eikanger Bjorsvik reclaims the Norwegian National title in Bergen as section victories go to Rong Brass, Agder Brass, Evanger Musikklag, Skeie Brass and Langhus Brass.


Norwegian Championships

Final musical touches being put in their Bergen place

February 4 • 80 will be putting their own-choice and set-work pieces under final scrutiny ahead of the Norwegian National Championships this weekend.


Dobcross Silver Band - Whitburn Band

Sunday 1 February • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 6 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Oompah Brass XXL

Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Phoenix Band Wakefield

February 8 • Required: B Flat and E Flat Bass players.. A friendly, welcoming, non competing community band in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. We enjoy entertaining and making music. Our MD is Mark Bray. Rehearsals on Fridays 7 - 8.30 at Manygates Centre, Wakefield,WF2 7DQ


Welwyn Garden City Band

February 5 • We are a friendly & sociable Second Section Band. We have vacancies for a FRONT ROW CORNET player and PERCUSSIONISTS. Our MD is Will Douglas and we rehearse in Welwyn Garden City on Sunday evenings from 7.00-9.00pm.


Waltham St. Lawrence Silver Band

February 4 • Our inclusive non-contesting community band, based near Maidenhead, Bracknell and Reading, has vacancies for: . . Solo Cornet. Soprano Cornet. 2/3 Cornet.


Andrew White

MA(Ed Man), B Ed (Hons), BBCM, ADNCB, PGCE, Cert Ed
Conductor, Arranger, Adjudicator & Educationist


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd