The Welsh contesting season kicked off in vibrant fashion on the weekend with Tongwynlais Temperance providing an impressive marker ahead of the forthcoming Area Championship by claiming the Welsh Open Entertainment title in Porthcawl.

Led by MD Christopher Bond, the 2014 winners secured the £1,000 first prize and the magnificent CISWO Challenge Cup by a two-point margin from defending champion Filton Concert Brass, with Llwydcoed a point further back in third.

American theme

Drawn last in the field of 11 competitors, their American themed set, which featured a number of new arrangements by their young MD, also saw them claim the 'Best Percussion Section' award, whilst solo horn player Emily Evans deservedly took the 'Best Soloist' rosebowl trophy for her stunning performance of 'Moon River'.

Tongwynlais opened with another new Bond arrangement, with the Disney movie melody 'Somewhere Out There' featuring solo baritone player Georgina Evans, before encapsulating different stylistic aspects of US music with Leonard Bernstein's 'America' from 'West Side Story' and the Neil Hefti jazz classic 'Cute', before closing with Dan Price's triumphant 'An American Tale'.

Producing a broad, warm ensemble timbre, backed by classy solo contributions from the likes of Ffion Haf Williams on flugel, principal cornet, Harvey Rees and percussion duo Sam Jowett and Robbie Wills, Tongwynlais rounded off the highly enjoyable contesting day with a substantive stamp of all-round quality — something Band Chairman Iestyn Davies told 4BR he was particularly pleased was noted by adjudicator Melvin White.

"We have a young, hard working band that is developing really well under Chris. It was great to read Melvin White's comments about our ensemble sound and quality solo contributions and to single out the level consistency displayed from first note until last."

He added: "The Welsh Open is such an important competition in the calendar, so to win here with the Area contest just a month away in Swansea is a great boost to the confidence of the band."

Welcome return

Those remarks certainly echoed the impressions given earlier by Melvin White, making a welcome return over the River Severn, to the audience at a packed Porthcawl Pavilion.

"Nearly all bands picked music that they could play and the standard of performances was generally very high,"he later told 4BR. "There were projected presentations, introductions by the composer, voice-overs, the occasional funny hats, but little misplaced slapstick.

The level of consistency of delivery of the winners gave them a well-deserved victory, but only a short head in front of four or five performances that merely faltered briefly."

He added: "There were few performances marred by over exuberant percussion, but there was also some lovely lyrical playing on show from the soloists — with Emily Evans with Tongwynlais and Kevin Robbins of Yeovil Band (who won the 'Best Cornet' prize) outstanding. It was a fine contest for an appreciative audience, and excellently organised."

Filton boost

Despite not quite being able to defend the title they won last year, Filton Concert Brass will also head to the West of England Regional Championships in a few weeks time boosted by their stylish performance under Tom Davoren.

Their inventive 'Century of Song and Dance' set featured traditional Icelandic folk in 'Pseudo Yoik' to the thumping 'Nefarious', Billy Joel's 'Lullaby' featuring flugel Tim Malpas and euph solo 'Valflicken's Dance' before finishing with 'Somewhere' from 'West Side Story'. The band also added £500 to their kitty whilst their 'Best Horn Section' took the Jean Gardner Trophy.

Tom told 4BR: "Congratulations to Tongwynlais — they were very good indeed and deserved winners. I'm happy with second place as the band played really well and with Torquay to come we are moving in the right direction."

Encouraging for Llwydcoed

There was also encouragement for Llwydcoed ahead of their Swansea Area challenge as their diverse set, that included items from the pens of Jonathan Bates, Karl King, Philip Wilby and Andy Duncan ended third, whilst the remaining top-six places went to City of Cardiff (Melingriffith), who won the 'Most Entertaining Stage Presentation' award, ahead of Goodwick Brass and 'Highest First Section Band', Ebbw Valley.

Behind them came a quartet of bands in various stages of preparation ahead of the contest year, with Tylorstown, BTM, Lewis Merthyr and Markham & District all showing glimpses of their all round strengths and occasional weaknesses ahead of the Welsh Area Championships.

Show of gratitude

Meanwhile, Kevin Robbins certainly showed that age doesn't weary class as he picked up the 'Best Cornet Player' award with Yeovil Town, whilst there was a special show of gratitude for contest organiser Rob Gowing.

It was early announced that Rob will be stepping down from the role to embark of a well deserved six-month Antipodean sabbatical later this year. He has been the driving force behind the Welsh Open event since it was first held in 1998, developing it into an extremely popular contest season opener in Wales that enjoys considerable support from sponsors and audience alike.

The Welsh Open is such an important competition in the calendar, so to win here with the Area contest just a month away in Swansea is a great boost to the confidence of the bandTongwynlais Temperance Chairman, Iestyn Davies

Results:

Adjudicator: Melvin White

1. Tongwynlais Temperance (Christopher Bond) — 194
2. Filton Concert Brass (Tom Davoren) — 192
3. Llwydcoed (Christopher Turner) — 191
4. City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) (Dewi Griffiths) — 190
5. Goodwick Brass (Matthew Jenkins) — 189
6. Ebbw Valley (Gareth Ritter) — 188
7. Yeovil Town (David Shead) — 186
8. Tylorstown (Gary Davies) — 183
9. BTM (Jeff Hutchinson) — 182
10. Lewis Merthyr (Nigel Seaman) — 180
11. Markham & District (Matt Rowe) — 178

Highest Placed First Section Band: Ebbw Valley
Entertainment Prize: City of Cardiff (Melingriffith)
Best Soloist: Emily Evans (horn) — Tongwynlais Temperance
Best Cornet: Kevin Robbins (Yeovil Town)
Best Percussion: Tongwynlais Temperance
Best Horn Section: Filton Concert Brass