Seindorf Beaumaris now has its own bespoke march thanks to a competition ran in partnership with their sponsorship of the Tlws y Cerddor (Musician's Prize) at the annual Anglesey Eisteddfod.

Castell Beaumaris

'Castell Beaumaris' written by composer Andy Wareham not only pays tribute to the imposing fortification — the last of the royal strongholds created by architect James of St George for Edward I in Wales, but also to the Welsh 'march king' T. J Powell.

He wrote an iconic series of 'Castle' marches — 'Castell Coch', 'Castell Caerffili' and 'Castell Caerdydd', with Andy's march deliberately written in his bravura style.

Fantastic march

Speaking about the new work, Beaumaris Band Secretary Gary Pritchard said: "The idea came about during Covid when we were thinking of ideas to celebrate the band's centenary.

We were always a bit jealous that our famous castle didn't have a march named after it."

He added: "The pandemic delayed things but when it was announced that Beaumaris would be hosting the island's Eisteddfod this year, we jumped at the chance to sponsor the musician's prize. The result is Andy's fantastic march."

Character

The competition drew fourteen entries which were considered by adjudicator Gwyn Evans, a former MD of the band now working in Norway. In his opinion, Andy's work was a 'clear winner'.

"The work is full of the characteristics of T J Powell's march with a rhythmic shape and style that flows from start to finish," he said.

"It was a clear winner. It really is a special tribute to the 'Welsh Sousa' and to Seindorf Beaumaris."

Privilege

Seindorf Beaumaris's Musical Director, Bari Gwilliam was also delighted.
"It's such an honour to have a march composed especially for us,"he said. "It's been a real privilege for us to work on.

Everyone present at the award ceremony was wowed by the march and the audience were on their feet before we played the last note."

I hope that the music will form a fitting tribute to the band and an iconic Welsh composer for years to comeComposer, Andy Wareham

Honoured

That response delighted Andy who added: "Seindorf Beaumaris is one of the most historic names within the Welsh brass band movement, so writing a march that honoured them and the great T. J Powell was a daunting task.

I am thrilled to hear that the band's excellent first performance received such a fantastic reception.

I'd like to express my thanks to Seindorf Beaumaris and MD Bari Gwillam, as well as the organisers of the Eisteddfod Mon festival. I hope that the music will form a fitting tribute to the band and an iconic Welsh composer for years to come."