*
banner

Welsh bands prepare for Brangwyn tests

35 bands will compete at the Welsh Regional Championships — and its a 11.00am start each day in Swansea.

Brangwyn Hall
  The contest is held at Swansea's Brangwyn Hall.

The Welsh Regional Championship will take place at the Brangwyn Hall in Swansea this weekend (14th & 15th March) with 35 bands looking to claim their invitations to represent the nation at the National Finals in York and London.

Encouragement

Although it is the smallest field for some considerable time, with two late withdrawals, there is encouraging news with an entry of six bands in the Fourth Section — up from just the three in 2025. These include debutant bands, Brass@Bont and Cambrian.

Qualifiers

Two bands will qualify from the Championship Section, where the defending champion is Tredegar. The winner will also be invited to represent Wales at the 2027 European Championships in Montreux.

Two bands will also qualify for the National Finals in York in September from the Second and Third Sections, with 1 band from the First and Fourth in accordance with current rules.

Schedule

Saturday will kick off at 11.00am with Section 2 (8 bands), followed by Section 4 (6 bands) and Section 1 (6 bands).

Sunday will also start at 11.00am with Section 3 (8 bands) followed by the Championship Section (7 bands). A short concert will be given by the RWCM&D Brass Band prior to the announcement of the results.

Championship Section:

Test Piece: Elgar Variations (Martin Ellerby)
Adjudicators: Dr Stephen Cobb; Stephen Roberts

1. BTM (Richard Marshall)
2. City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) M1 (David Roberts)
3. Cory (Philip Harper)
4. Ebbw Valley (Matthew Rowe)
5. Northop Silver (Thomas Wyss)
6. Tongwynlais Temperance (Owen Farr)
7. Tredegar Town (Ian Porthouse)

First Section:

Test Piece: Variations on 'Was Lebet' (Andrew Wainwright)
Adjudicators: Dr Stephen Cobb; Stephen Roberts

1. Beaumaris (Bari Gwilliam)
2. Lewis Merthyr (Carl Saunders)
3. Parc & Dare (Dewi Griffiths)
4. Pontardulais Town (Paul Jenkins)
5. Tylorstown (Andrew Jones)
6. Usk (James Jones)

Second Section:

Test Piece: 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea (Philip Harper)
Adjudicators: Dr Robert Childs; Martin Heartfield

1. Abergavenny Borough (Lana Tingay)
2. Abertillery Town (Lee Blankley)
3. Ammanford Town Silver (Glyn Rhys Davies)
4. City of Wrexham (Matt Ryan)
5. Crosskeys Silver (Dave Collins)
6. Markham & District (Gary Davies)
7. Newport Borough (Martin McHale)
8. Royal Buckley Town (Keith Jones)

Withdrew: Crwbin

Third Section:

Test Piece: Three Haworth Impressions (Gordon Langford)
Adjudicators: Dr Robert Childs; Martin Heartfield

1. Briton Ferry Silver (Jeff Pearce)
2. City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) 2 (John Murray)
3. Cwmtawe (Wayne Pedrick)
4. Mid Rhondda (Adrian Morton)
5. Newtown Silver (Alan Phillips)
6. Penclawdd (Alan Bourne)
7. Severn Tunnel (Louis Thomas)
8. Ynyshir (Robert Burnett)

Withdrew: Holywell

Fourth Section:

Test Piece: Indian Summer (Eric Ball)
Adjudicators: Dr Robert Childs; Martin Heartfield

1. Blaenavon Town (Alun Williams)
2. Brass@Bont (Alison Gent)
3. Cambrian (Matthew Ruel)
4. Gwaun Cae Gurwen (Alex Parker)
5. Oakdale Silver (Adrian Browning)
6. Royal Oakeley Silver (Aled Williams)

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    


Paul Holland

Holland takes temporary lead at Elgar International Brass Band Summer School

July 17 • Flowers MD, Paul Holland will take the main reins at the 2027 Summer School as Philip Harper takes a temporary break for NYBBGB duties.


Dobcross Training

Dobcross Youth Training Band grab attention at Symphony Hall

July 17 • The young players of Dobcross Youth Training Band recently wowed the audience and music mentors at Symphony Hall in Birmingham


Tonga

Tongan celebration of music, culture and friendship

July 17 • The Music for Peace Festival in Tonga has been a demonstration of the growing strength of brass banding in the Kingdom.


Filton

Filton not at all Brassed Off

July 17 • An inventive collaboration has seen Filton Concert Brass take to the boards for a special sold out run of the Brassed Off play.


Regent Brass - Brass on the Grass

Wednesday 22 July • The College Garden, Westminster Abbey, Deans Yard, London SW1P 3PA


Sherborne Town Band - Free Music in the park

Sunday 26 July • Sherborne, Dorset-Pageant Gardens DT9 3NP


Sherborne Town Band - Free Summer Concert- Trowbridge Park

Sunday 9 August • Summer Concert- Trowbridge Park BA14 8AH


Regent Hall Concerts - Cross Bones Trombone Quintet

Friday 21 August • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Sherborne Town Band - Free-Music in the park

Sunday 23 August • Sherborne, Dorset-Pageant Gardens DT9 3NP


Tintwistle Band

July 16 • We have a vacancy for soprano cornet, and with lots of exciting engagements coming up would love to get this seat filled! As a second section band,we rehearse every Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our bandroom in Tintwistle under the baton of MD Jim Henson.


City of Norwich Brass

July 16 • City of Norwich Brass seeks Front & Back Row Cornets, Solo Euphonium and EEb/BBb Basses. Join a friendly, ambitious band with a varied programme of concerts, contests and community performances. Rehearsals in Hethersett, Norwich.


Chinnor Silver

July 14 • Our COMMUNITY BAND are meeting again on MONDAY 20th at 11 am in our bandroom.. We would welcome players of all ages and abilities to join us for a friendly relaxed rehearsal.. Of course there is tea and cake !!!. And you can even choose a piece to play


John Maines

BA (Hons)
Presenter, compere and conductor


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd