The annual Gwent Youth Brass Band Festival will take place next year on January 31st at Coleg Gwent –Crosskeys Campus.

Contest day

The contest day will see one non-competitive section and two competitive sections with each band allowed to play up to seven adults. There will be trophies and prize monies to the winning bands in the two competitive sections as well as to the best soloists and youngest players.

Section 3 bands (non-competitive) will play an entertainment programme of up to 15 minutes duration, whilst Section 1 & 2 bands (competitive) will play an entertainment programme to a maximum of 20 minutes playing time. There will be open adjudication and a pre-draw for the event.

A total of 22 youth bands took part last year and bands came from all over the UK to participate. We are confident that it will another great day of brass playing and a fantastic FestivalAlun Williams

Fantastic Festival

Alun Williams of Gwent Music Support Services told 4BR: "A total of 22 youth bands took part last year and bands came from all over the UK to participate. We are confident that it will another great day of brass playing and a fantastic Festival."

Entry forms

The adjudicators for the 2009 Festival will be Brian Buckley and Philip Harper and entry forms are now available electronically by emailing alunf.williams@gwentmusic.net or from the Gwent Music Support Service by telephoning 07980 748938.

The closing date is Friday 5th December.

Return meeting

Meanwhile, the Greater Gwent Youth Brass Band met up last Sunday for the first time since their successful trip to Poland at the end of the Summer School holidays.

The band played to enthusiastic audiences in the two concerts in Zakopane and received standing ovations for their performances. The band, conducted by Andrew Jones, also performed in the combined concert in St Katherine’s Church, Krakow with the Greater Gwent Youth Choir and Orchestra.

50th anniversary celebrations

The band are now looking forward to another busy year with many preparations going on for the band’s 50th Anniversary Celebrations in 2010.

New work

As part of the celebrations Philip Harper has written a new work which has been commissioned by Gwent Music Support Service with additional funding from Ty Cerdd –Music Centre Wales.

The twelve minute piece depicts each of the four Unitary Authorities that now represent Gwent (Monmouthshire, Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen and Newport) and will be recorded on the new CD during this year's Christmas course.

Reunion

The third project lined up for the anniversary will be the grand reunion concert planned for Sunday, January 3rd 2010 at the Ebbw Vale Leisure Centre and a Gala Dinner and Dance in Cwmbran on Saturday April 17th 2010.

Alun told 4BR: "We hope to involve as many past and present members as possible for the events in 2010, and past players can register their interest by emailing me on alunf.williams@gwentmusic.net