*
banner

2017 Welsh challengers for Swansea announced

The list of bands that will compete at the Welsh Championships in Swansea later this month has been announced.

Wales Directions
  Welsh bands will head to Swansea on the last weekend of National qualifying later this month.

The list of competing bands that will battle it out for the qualification places on offer for the Royal Albert Hall and Cheltenham at the Welsh Championships have been announced.

The contest weekend will take place at the Brangwyn Hall in Swansea on the 18th/19th March.

Places up for grabs

With National Champion, Cory having pre-qualified for The Royal Albert Hall in October, there are two additional places up for grabs in the Championship Section. which features the defending champion, Tredegar.

The First, Second, Third and Fourth Sections will each send two representatives to Cheltenham in September.

A total of 43 bands will perform, whilst the decision making will be in the hands of a judging panel of Derek Broadbent, Mike Kilroy, Stan Lippeatt and John Maines.

The contest starts with the First, Third and Second Sections on the Saturday with the Fourth and Championship Sections the following day.

National Champion Cory will be looking to regain the Welsh Crown from arch rivals, Tredegar on the last weekend of the Regional series 4BR

Competing bands:

Championship Section:


Test Piece: Test Piece: Pageantry (Herbert Howells)
Sunday 19th March
Draw: 11.00am
Commence: After Fourth Section results
Adjudicators: Derek Broadbent and Mike Kilroy

Burry Port Town (Tom Davoren)
City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) (Nigel Seaman)
Cory (Philip Harper)
Goodwick (Matthew Jenkins)
Llwydcoed (Chris Turner)
Northop (Paul Hughes)
Tongwynlais Temperance (Michael Fowles)
Tredegar (Ian Porthouse)


First Section:


Test Piece: The Land of the Long White Cloud (Philip Sparke)
Saturday 18th March
Draw: 2.30pm
Commence: at conclusion of Second Section results
Adjudicators: Stan Lippeatt and John Maines

BTM (Jeff Hutcherson)
Deiniolen (Lois Eifion)
Ebbw Valley (Gareth Ritter)
Lewis Merthyr (Craig Roberts)
Llanrug (Paul Hughes)
Markham & District (Matthew Rowe)
Mid Rhondda (Thomas Coaches) (Alan Gibbs)
Parc & Dare (Leftfield Environmental) (Capt Paul Collis-Smith)
Pontardulais Town (Paul Jenkins)
Tylorstown (Gary Davies)


Second Section:


Test Piece: Rhapsody in Brass (Dean Goffin)
Saturday 18th March
Draw: 12 noon
Commence: At conclusion of Section Three
Adjudicators: Derek Broadbent and Mike Kilroy

Abergavenny Borough (Sean O'Neil)
Ammanford Town (Andrew Jones)
Blaenavon Town (Lynne Turner)
Mellingriffith 2 (Andrew Wareham)
Penclawdd (Tony Small)
Royal Buckley Town (Brett Baker)
Seindorf Arian Crwbin (Craig Roberts)


Third Section:


Test Piece: Darkwood (Dan Price)
Saturday 19th March
Draw: 10.00am
Commence: 11.00am
Adjudicators: Stan Lippeatt and John Maines

Abertillery Youth & District (Josh Ruck)
Briton Ferry (Jeff Pearce)
Crosskeys Silver (Mike Davies)
Newport Borough (Robin Hackett)
Newtown Silver (Steve Edwards)
Ogmore Valley Silver (Alice Jones)
Phoenix (Luke Jenkins)
Severn Tunnel (Grant Jameson)
Usk (Jeff Jones)
Ynyshir (Gary Davies)


Fourth Section:


Test Piece: St Andrews Variations (Alan Fernie)
Sunday 19th March
Draw: 9.00am
Commence: 10.00am
Adjudicators: Stan Lippeatt and John Maines

Buckley Town (Steve Pugh-Jones)
Cwmtawe Youth (Wayne Pedrick)
Gwaen-cae-Gurwen (Jeff Hutcherson)
Oakdale Silver (Kerry Bowden)
RAF St Athan Voluntary (Alan Bourne)
Seindorf Arian yr Oakeley (John Glyn-Jones)
Upper Rhondda (Jayne Thomas)
Vale of Glamorgan (Dave Short)

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    


Besson

Besson ready with early Christmas offers

November 29 • If you are at the Swiss or Swedish Nationals, the Scottish Open or just off to do some earlier Christmas musical shopping, then put Besson on Santa's list — for some great deals.


swiss

Swiss connections add to Lucerne coverage

November 27 • 4BR will be linking up with their Swiss friends at BRASS BAND NEWS to provide extra insight and opinions about the performances in Lucerne this weekend.


Philip Sparke

Sparke ignites demand for 2026 RNCM International Brass Band Festival

November 27 • There has already been an eager snap up of tickets for the showcase event at the RNCM in Manchester in January — led by a 75th birthday celebration of composer Philip Sparke.


Perth

Domestic and cross border challengers head to Perth

November 27 • The bands are putting their final touches to their preparations for the Scottish Open and Scottish Youth Championships this weekend in Perth.


Hathersage Band - Hathersage Village Christmas Concert

Saturday 29 November • Hathersage Methodist Church, Main Road, Hathersage S32 1BB S32 1BB


Barnsley Brass - A Night At The Movies

Saturday 29 November • Worsbrough Miners Welfare. Park Road. Worsbrough Bridge. Barnsley S70 5LJ


Dobcross Silver Band - Unite the Union Band

Sunday 30 November • Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross . Saddleworth. Oldham OL3 5AD


Garforth Brass - Strawberry Fields Primary School

Friday 5 December • Garforth Methodist Church,. Church Lane,. Garforth,. Leeds LS25 1NW


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band Christmas Event

Saturday 6 December • Petworth Town Centre GU28 OAD


Hathersage Band

November 27 • BACK ROW CORNET. Hathersage Brass Band is a thriving, non-contesting community band. We enjoy our music making, play a wide variety of music and have a good gig schedule. Are you the right person to join our happy band?


wantage silver band

November 27 • 4th section national finalists Wantage Academy are looking for a Bb bass and 2nd cornet to complete their team. A friendly, welcoming band who rehearse Wed 7-8:30pm and Sat 10am-12 under MD Gavin Clemons.


Summerbridge & Dacre Silver Band

November 25 • 2nd or 3rd cornet required to boost our back row. We are a non contesting band, but carry out numerous events across North Yorkshire. We will be doing a joint concert with Carlton Main next year.


Sandy Smith


Conductor, teacher, adjudicator and arranger


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd