*
banner

Report & Result: 2019 Welsh National Eisteddfod

Llwydcoed leads the National winners in Wales as they are joined by Crwbin, St Athan and Seindorf Beaumaris in claiming titles in Llanrwst.

Eisteddfod
  The Welsh National Eisteddfod takes place in Lanrwst this year

Llwydcoed Band has been crowned the 2019 Welsh National Eisteddfod Champion for the first time following their victory in Llanrwst in Conwy on the weekend.

The various brass band competitions were televised on the S4C channel, with the south Wales band claiming the £750 first prize and ornate Flintshire Territorial Army Cup under MD Chris Turner with a 20 minute entertainment set that brought rich praise from adjudicator Melvin White.

Full range

"A programme that showed of the full range of the band's skills and palette of colour,"he wrote as the band opened with 'Nordic Polska' before Gareth Robinson was the featured trombone solo lead in 'Song for Japan'.

'Welsh Clog Dance' from 'Day of the Dragon' segued into 'Little Prayer' before they closed with the final section of Philip Sparke's 'Music of the Spheres'.

"We're delighted to be crowned National Eisteddfod Champion for the first time,"MD Chris Turner told 4BR.

"The competition comes at the end of the first half of a busy year and with players juggling holiday commitment, so all the credit goes to them for playing so well on a testing programme."

He added: "It also sets us up nicely for our appearances at the Bolsover Festival of Brass and Wychavon Festival in the autumn."

London finalists Northop Silver were close on their heels with a set that included Duke Ellington's 'Caravan' and a rousing 'Pines of the Appian Way'. Lois Eifion marked her 20th appearance with third placed Deiniolen as they showcased repertoire from Queen to Paul Lovatt-Cooper.

Crwbin dance to victory

In the Second Section it was Crwbin led by Andrew Jones who reclaimed the Ivor Jarvis Cup and £500 first prize for the first time since 2017 featuring a rousing 'Day of the Dragon' set complete with traditional Welsh Clog dancer. St Athan came just behind with their Americana themed set.

Busy boosts

The busy south Wales band added to their impressive list Eisteddfod triumphs under MD Alan Bourne as they took the Third Section title with a programme that included the upbeat 'I Shall Follow Him'.

In the Fourth Section it was the youthful Seindorf Beaumaris, who gave themselves a huge boost ahead of their National Final appearance in Cheltenham in September as they took the honours and the £500 first prize.

They repelled the solid challenge of north Wales rivals Porthaethwy Menai Bridge and Llandudno with a set that included the free flowing 'Riverdance'.

Their rivals certainly showcased their entertainment talents with Porthaethwy Menai Bridge's vocal inspired 'Circle of Life', Llandudno's calming 'Seal Lullaby' and Dyffryn Nantlle's 'Game of Thrones' forming parts of their programmes.

The competition comes at the end of the first half of a busy year and with players juggling holiday commitment, so all the credit goes to them for playing so well on a testing programmeLlwydcoed MD, Chris Turner

Results:

Championship/First Section:


Adjudicator: Melvin White
1. Llwydcoed (Chris Turner)
2. Northop Silver (John Doyle)
3. Deiniolen (Lois Eifion)

Second Section:


1. Crwbin
2. RAF St Athan (Alan Bourne)

Third Section:


1. RAF St Athan (Alan Bourne)

Fourth Section:


1. Seindorf Beaumaris (Scott Lloyd)
2. Porthaethwy Menai Bridge (Patrick Rimes)
3. Llandudno (Andrew Jones)
4. Dyffryn Nantlle (Gwenllian Jones)

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    


Wychavon Festival of Brass

Wychavon releases draw details

September 11 • The draws have been made for the popular Wychavon Festival of Brass in November.


aobba

Cheltenham experience added to new AoBBA intake

September 11 • Four musicians will enjoy an insight into the adjudication process at the National Finals in Cheltenham this weekend.


Rockingham

Decade of joint music making to come to end at Rockingham

September 11 • Adam Whittle will step down from his role as Musical Director of Rockingham Band at the end of this year.


NYBBGB C

National Children's Band Summer Course concert to be broadcast

September 10 • You can sit back and enjoy the talents of the National Children's Band of Great Britain as their end of course concert from their recent Summer Course in to be broadcast on YouTube this Friday.


Contest: Lower Sections 1-4 National Finals

Saturday 13 September • Cheltenham Racecourse, Evesham Road, Cheltenham GL50 4SH


Contest: Lower Sections 1-4 National Finals

Sunday 14 September • Cheltenham Racecourse, Evesham Road, Cheltenham. . *Please note as of 24th August 2023 the date is provisional according to Kapitol Promotions website GL50 4SH


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band at Petworth Heritage weekend

Saturday 20 September • Centre of Petworth Town GU28 OAH


Cheltenham Silver Band - Holst Birthday Concert

Saturday 20 September • All Saints Church, All Saints Road, Pittville, Cheltenham GL52 2HG


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards Big Band

Friday 26 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Chinnor Silver

September 11 • Our COMMUNITY BAND are meeting again on Monday (15th) and we would welcome any players who fancy joining us for a relaxed and friendly blow.. All abilities are welcome and meeting with us has no impact on your main band.. Cake and coffee included FREE


Epping Forest Band

September 11 • We have a solo horn vacancy to join our friendly 3rd section band. We have a sensible calendar of contests and concerts.. Situated with close links to the M11/M25 and Central line tube station, with our own band room.. Rehearsals Monday night 8-10pm.


Delph Band

September 9 • We are a friendly, hardworking North West 2nd Section band based in Saddleworth. Rehearsal nights are Mondays and Wednesdays, 8-10pm at Delph Band Club. We are currently looking to fill the following positions; Tutti Cornet, Percussion and Eb Bass.


Sarah Groarke-Booth

BA (Hons) MA
Conductor, Adjudicator, Compere, Actor


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd