At the start of it's first full contest season under the new name of the City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) Band, the band announce some new signings.

Shoko Morimoto has recently joined on euphonium, along with Cristyn Patterson and Peter Wright, baritones and Michael O'Leary on trombone.

We're starting 2008 with a wealth of talent and experience in the band and we're really looking forward to the Swansea Area contest, which will be a great showcase for our new line-upMD Gareth Ritter

Wealth of talent

MD, Gareth Ritter told 4BR: "We're starting 2008 with a wealth of talent and experience in the band and we're really looking forward to the Swansea Area contest, which will be a great showcase for our new line-up."

At the band's recent AGM, prizes for the most improved players in 2007 went to Alexander Rees and Jo Tinsley, with Band President, Colin Evans, becoming 'Bandsman of the Year'.

Looking back

As well as looking forward to a bright future, the band has also been reflecting on the past by adopting two Life Members. The first is Geoff Atkins, a life-long supporter of the band who played with "Melin" as a boy under the great T J Powell.

T J Powell

Geoff's father, Arthur Atkins, preserved the many Tom Powell original manuscripts when the band fell on hard times and the family have now returned them to the band so that they can be heard once again.

Band President, Colin Evans, also received Honorary Life membership, in recognition of the huge contribution he has made to the revival of the band in recent years.

With a new name, new logo and plans for another full year of ambitious concerts and competitions, sights are firmly set on promotion to Section 2.