As Bandiau Pres Cymru / Brass Bands Wales, prepares to host a special online youth event seminar this weekend, the BBC has reported that brass banding in Wales is "at risk' due to a decline in player numbers.
The representative body set up to support the existing organisations and structures of the nation's banding community and music sector was reported as saying that if nothing is done to stem the decline then it believes Wales could lose a cultural 'jewel in the crown'.
Lowest entry
The report followed the recent Welsh Regional Championships in Swansea where 35 bands, the lowest entry for nearly 40 years. At the turn of the Millennium the Welsh Area contest boasted over 50 competitors. In 2020, as Covid-19 struck, 40 bands took part.
It also comes at a time when Welsh banding is eagerly awaiting further information concerning the funding of a national music service, with details currently under 'purdah' due to forthcoming local elections.
The Welsh Government has previously stated that it had provided an extra £6.8m for resources and instruments in 2021/2022, with plans for the National Music Service for Wales to be announced in due course.
National Music Service
A spokesman said: "Plans are currently progressing to establish a National Music Service for Wales which will include additional funding to support music services across Wales and broaden access to music education and tuition."
The report highlighted the challenges faced by bands in different areas of the country — from Goodwick in the West to Northop in the North.
Goodwick, which has previously claimed Welsh Area titles in the Third, Second and First Section since 2010, and gone on to win the National Championship of Great Britain accolades in 2013 and 2015, did not compete in Swansea this year.
Their Musical Director Matthew Jenkins stated that before the Covid-19 pandemic the organisation, which has four different ensembles, had "been thriving", but had since lost "nearly half"of its youth band players.
Meanwhile, Aled Williams of Northop said that some players had "moved away from the hobby itself", although the band had made the trip to Swansea and had qualified for the Albert Hall National Final.
Unless we can stem the decline in the movement...then we will lose a real jewel in the crown because Wales has a very strong brass band heritage and historyAndrew Jones BPC/BBW
Precarious situation
BPC/BBWs Andrew Jones stated: "Covid exacerbated an already precarious situation. Children now don't have access to instrumental tuition within the schools and the schools worked hand in glove with brass bands to generate new talent.
Unless we can stem the decline in the movement... then we will lose a real jewel in the crown because Wales has a very strong brass band heritage and history."
