*
banner

Welsh take first step in National direction

Progress in creating a national body to support Welsh banding has taken place, as Bandiau Pres Cymru | Brass Bands Wales takes first step forward.

Welsh
  The meeting was attending in person and online by individuals with a passion to secure the future of Welsh brass banding

A new initiative to form a body to represent the interests of the Welsh brass band movement took its first significant step forward on the weekend.

The meeting took place in Cardiff, where those in attendance were joined by people online to discuss the need for a body that would work in partnership with existing representative structures and associations to help provide a vibrant and sustainable brass band movement throughout the nation at all levels.

The initiative was formulated by the respected freelance brass musician Andrew Jones and Graham Howe from Burry Port Band and was facilitated by Iwan Fox, Editor of 4BR.

Where to get to

A morning of discussion and opinion was centred on the current brass band landscape in Wales — from youth to elite level, as well as the challenges faced in establishing links to the education and arts sector, the need for greater community involvement, wider advocacy and investment in youth development.

There was also a discussion into where people felt they would like to see the brass band movement in Wales in a decade's time, as well as ideas on how it could be achieved.

Name

The first step in the process was taken by deciding on a name for the fledgling organisation — Bandiau Prês Cymru | Brass Bands Wales, with a small working group of nine people, led by Andrew Jones, set up to initiate progress on a framework, mission statement and aims and objectives.

A second proposed meeting (compliant with COVID-19 guidelines and legislation) with use of online technology was agreed for 24th October which will be held in Newtown, where it is hoped to widen the ground base of involvement.

There was a sense of realism that permeated the discussions — one that hopefully will enable a new body to access appropriate funding streams that can support the existing structures of brass banding throughout WalesAndrew Jones

Huge progress

Speaking to 4BR, Andrew said: "I think we made significant progress in just a short amount of time and there appears to be genuine enthusiasm and a desire to get this venture up and running.

There was a sense of realism that permeated the discussions — one that hopefully will enable a new body to access appropriate funding streams that can support the existing structures of brass banding throughout Wales — from individual bands to contest associations, youth to elite level.

The post COVID-19 landscape of the arts and community brass banding in Wales is going to be very different and exceptionally challenging, and Welsh banding must be in the position to be able to protect, develop and sustain itself."

Partnerships key

He added: "The agreement was that partnership working will be key — from the education and arts sector in Wales to further afield — and by accepting that we can work and learn from other brass banding bodies that have been successful.

We cannot afford not to change — and this meeting was a small, but significant step forward to show that."

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    


Gregson and Bliss

Gregson and Bliss to challenge National Finalists

March 30 • Significant composer anniversaries will be marked at London and Cheltenham this year.


Youth Brass 2000

Report & Results: 2025 National Youth Championships of Great Britain

March 30 • Youth Brass 2000 reclaims the Championship honours with Shepherd Youth Group taking the Performance title in Hull.


National Youth Champs

Hull ready for National Youth Championships

March 28 • There is a packed day of music making to enjoy at Hymers College in Hull on Saturday with a record field of bands and players taking to the stage.


Breet and Keith

Baker and Wilkinson renew Atlantic connection

March 28 • A 30 year musical friendship has been reconnected between Brett Baker and Dr Keith Wilkinson.


Hathersage Band - Hathersage Village Spring Concert

Saturday 5 April • Hathersage Methodist Church, Main Road, Hathersage S32 1BB


Bilton Silver Rugby Band - Bilton Silver at the Musicals

Saturday 5 April • St Andrew's Church, Rugby CV21 3PT


Rushden Town Band - Hope Spring Concert

Saturday 5 April • Hope Methodist Church, Linnets Lane, Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire NN10 8DE


Regent Hall Concerts - The Central Band of the Royal Air Force

Friday 25 April • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London. . W1C2DJ


Newstead Brass - Under Gaia

Saturday 26 April • Mansfield Palace Theatre. Leeming Street . Mansfield. Nottinghamshire NG18 1NG


Simon Langton Brass

April 1 • Due to forced retirement - Simon Langton Brass (Conductor Keith Demetriou Twyman) has a vacancy for an experienced back row cornet player. Position is negotiable as is a willingness to share your experience with our next generation of cornet players!


Ibstock Brick Brass

April 1 • Midlands Area Champions IBB have an opening for a full-time Tuba player (position negotiable) . . Ambitious and enjoying a varied concert/contest program, IBB are looking forward to the third section finals 2025. Rehearsals Mon/Thu in Coalville, M1 J22


Ibstock Brick Brass

April 1 • Midlands Area Champions IBB have an opening for an experienced percussionist. . . Ambitious and enjoying a varied concert/contest program, we are looking forward to the third section finals 2025. Rehearsals Mon/Thu in Coalville, close to M1 J22


Dr Brett Baker

BSc (Hons), ARCM, PG Dip
Marketing Lead, Denis Wick & Alliance Products; Artist at Michael Rath Instruments


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd