Tredegar, conducted by Ian Porthouse, continued on their rich vein of contesting form on the weekend by winning the South East Wales BB Contest in their home town by a commanding six point margin.

Reprise

With a reprise performance of ‘Vienna Nights’, which saw them just miss out on promotion to the British Open in Blackpool the week before, they took the first leg of the Welsh Championship ahead of fellow Grand Shield contenders Tongwynlais with Tylorstown in third.

Head and shoulders

Adjudicator Philip Harper described the winning performance as being, ‘head and shoulders’ above the rest of the field, adding that their ‘awesome’ dynamic range and ‘spot on’ style’ gave them the victory by ‘quite a margin’.

Adjudicator Philip Harper described the winning performance as being, ‘head and shoulders’ above the rest of the field, adding that their ‘awesome’ dynamic range and ‘spot on’ style’ gave them the victory by ‘quite a margin’4BR

Boost

The win gave Tredegar a timely boost of confidence ahead of their challenge at the International Masters in a weeks time in Cambridge, as well as the RTB Trophy and £230. The band’s principal cornet Dewi Griffiths and horn player Chris Davies took the individual awards on offer.

The PolySteel MD did point to some intonation problems even in the winning performance, whilst he also pinpointed three main areas of concern throughout the Championship Section that he felt other bands failed to address – namely, intonation, dynamic demands and style.

Spirited

Even though they were some way behind the winners on the day, Tongwynlais showed their growing confidence to claim second place with a spirited performance of the Wilby test piece, whilst there was something of a shock with Tylorstown taking third place with a compact delivery of ‘Diversions on a Bass Theme’.

Shock

Behind them came the hard working Thomas Coaches Mid Rhondda, with an enjoyable, if slightly error prone ‘Diadem of Gold’, and the emerging Abergavenny with a vibrant account of ‘Judges of the Secret Court’. The final place in the section went to the fancied Newbridge (Celynen) who produced a rather disappointing account of ‘Dances & Alleluias’.

First Section

In the First Section Markham & District took the top honours with an enjoyable performance of ‘Connotations’ to gave them a clear cut three point winning a margin over RAF St Athan and Penclawdd Brass.

Phil Harper once again addressed the question of the basics of good brass band playing with particular emphasis on clarity of ensemble balance, blend and intonation. He also felt that the section was in his words, ‘..extremely variable in standard, from very good at the top end to not so good towards the bottom.’ These elements were reflected in the points awarded in his results.

Markham meanwhile had ‘excellent balance and blend’ to secure a victory that also saw Lee Elliott take the inaugural Jack Challenger Trophy as ‘Best Soprano’ and principal cornet Chris Hughes take the main solo prize.

Second Section

Earlier in the day the Second Section saw victory go to the fast rising Crosskeys Silver under Kerry Bowden who added to their recent Welsh Area success by taking the title ahead of Lewis Merthyr and Ynyshir (Clariey Office Supplies). Their performance of ‘Kaleidoscope’ brought rich praise from adjudicator Roy Sparkes, whilst principal cornet, Carla Howe took the Will Wood Trophy as ‘Best Instrumentalist’.

Third Section

The keenly contested Third Section saw City of Cardiff (Mellingriffith) continue to prosper under the direction of Gareth Ritter as they pipped the improving Severn Tunnel and Upper Rhondda to take the Myers & Harrison Trophy and the £230 top prize.

Fourth Section

The only disappointment of the day was the lack of a bigger entry in the Fourth Section where Cwmtawe District Youth took the honours ahead of Ystradgynlais Public with their performance of ‘Choral & Variations’.

Junior Section

That disappointment was off set somewhat by the continued encouragement that is now seen with the introduction of an own choice ‘Junior Section’, which saw three young ensembles from Blaenavon Town, Cwmtawe and Tongwynlais each gain Gold Awards from Phil Harper for their spirited performances.

Full Results:

Championship Section:
Adjudicator: Philip Harper

1. Tredegar (I. Porthouse) – 196pts
2. Tongwynlais Temperance (G. Pritchard) – 190pts
3. Tylorstwon (G. Davies) – 188pts
4. Thomas Coaches Mid Rhondda (C. Hogg) – 186pts
5. Abergavenny Borough (G. Ritter) – 185pts
6. Newbridge (Celynen) (P. Holland) – 180pts

Best Instrumentalists:
Harold Hearn Trophy: Dewi Griffiths (Tredegar)
HH Cook Memorial Trophy: Chris Davies (Tredegar)

First Section:
Adjudicator: Philip Harper

1. Markham & District (A. Morton) – 191pts
2. RAF St Athan Voluntary (A. Bourne) – 188pts
3. Penclawdd Brass (T. Small) – 183pts
4. Briton Ferry (Dr C. Jenkins) – 182pts
5. Rogerstone (M. Hutcherson) – 178pts

Best Instrumentalists:
TWW Trophy: Chris Hughes (Markham)
Jack Challenger Trophy: Lee Elliott (Markham)

Second Section:
Adjudicator: Roy Sparkes

1. Crosskey Silver (K. Bowden) – 189pts
2. Lewis Merthyr (G. Pritchard) – 188pts
3. Ynyshir (COS) (D. Evans) – 187pts
4. Llwydcoed (R. Griffiths) – 186pts
5. Blaenavon Town (L. Price) – 185pts
6. Ogmore Valley (I. Barnett) – 184pts
7. Gwaun Cae Gurwen (G. Davies) – 183pts

Best Instrumentalist:
Will Wood Trophy: Carla Howe (Crosskeys)

Third Section:
Adjudicator: Roy Sparkes

1. City of Cardiff (Mellingriffith) (G. Ritter) – 185pts
2. Severn Tunnel (A. Harris) – 184pts
3. Upper Rhondda (E. Monteith) – 183pts
4. Ebbw Vale Town (C. Thomas) – 182pts
5. Pontypool Brass (P. O’Leary) – 181pts
6. Newport Borough (M. Davies) – 180pts

Best Instrumentalist:
Colin White Trophy: Solo Cornet (Severn Tunnel)

Fourth Section:
Adjudicator: Roy Sparkes

1. Cwmtawe District Youth (W. Pedrick) – 178pts
2. Ystradgynalis Public (P. Williams) – 177pts

Best Instrumentalist:
Taff Ely Borough County Trophy: Euphonium (Cwmtawe)

Junior Section:
Adjudicator: Philip Harper

Gold Award: Blaenavon Town Juniors (E. Smith)
Gold Award: Cwmtawe District (W. Pedrick)
Gold Award: Tongwynlais Juniors (R. Hackett)