The 38th Annual Greater Gwent Youth Brass Band Festival took place at Coleg Gwent, Cross Keys Campus on the weekend with an excellent entry of 19 bands taking part.
Success
The Festival was organised by the Gwent Music Support Service which reflects the support given by the four Unitary Authorities of Blaenau Gwent, Monmouthshire, Newport and Torfaen to Youth Bands in the area.
Such is the success of the event that it now attracts bands from all over Wales, Gloucestershire, Forest of Dean and Cheshire.
The Festival commenced at 9.00am and concluded with the full results and presentations at 7.00pm.
Both adjudicators were very impressed with both the presentation and high standard of playing of the bands throughout the dayOrganisers
Certificates
Certificates were presented to each band and trophies and prizes were awarded to the winning bands in Section 2 and 1. The best soloists in all 3 sections were also presented with trophies and presentations were made to the youngest player in each section. Merit awards were presented to the highest placed Gwent bands outside the prize list in Sections 2 & 1, and winning conductors in Section 2 & 1 also received an engraved gift.
New award
A new award was also presented to the most organised percussion section of the day, donated by Adrian Evans and his Ev-entz company. This new award was won by the Cwmtawe District Youth Band. Prize money amounting to £1,350 was also available for this year’s Festival.
The Festival was compered by David Hayward and was assisted throughout the day by Andrew Jones.
High standard
The adjudicators for the day were Philip Harper (Sections 3 and 2) and Brian Buckley (Section 1). Both adjudicators were very impressed with both the presentation and high standard of playing of the bands throughout the day. A big thank you also goes to the stage managers of Ev-entz and many volunteer back stage helpers who make this event run so smoothly.
Results:
Section 3 (1 band): Non-competitive section
Pontardulais Junior (A. George)
Youngest player: Katherine Rees (Pontardulais Junior)
Best soloist: Craig Thomas (Pontardulais Junior Band)
Section 2:
1. Bassaleg School (C. Turner)
2. Cwmtawe District Youth (W. Pedrick)
3. Cinderford Academy (C. Lewis)
4. North Powys Youth (S. Edwards)
The winning programme of Bassaleg School Band included 'Where Eagles Sing', 'Concierto de Aranjuez' (flugel soloist, Rhys Ward), 'Supercalifragilistic', 'Deep Harmony' and 'Jambo Africa'.
Highest Placed Gwent Band: Blaenavon Town Junior Band (E.Smith)
Youngest player: Aurora Simmonds (Blaenavon Town Junior)
Soloist Award: Rhys Ward (flugel) of Bassaleg School Band
Section 1:
1. Abergavenny Borough Youth (G. Ritter)
2. Lions Youth (N. Birch)
3. Usk Youth (J. Jones)
4. Flowers Youth (T. Davoren)
The winning programme of Abergavenny Borough Youth Band included the 'Adventurer', 'Blaydon Races' (euphonium soloist, Jamie Jones), 'Irish Blessing', 'Something Stupid' (cornet soloists, Evan Roberts and Emily Humphries), 'Supercalifragilistic' and 'Flashdance' (What a feeling).
Section 1 Awards of Merit for Gwent Bands
1. Chepstow Town (T. Zogorskis)
2. Rogerstone Junior (D. Blakemore)
3. Newport Borough (K. James)
The youngest player in section 1 was Erin Shorey (Abergavenny Borough)
The best soloist award in section 1 was presented to Will Norman (cornet) of Flowers Youth Band
The Ev-entz ‘Percussion Section Award’: Cwmtawe District Youth Band
The annual Con Buckley Memorial Trophy is presented to a conductor who has been active in enthusing young players and in forging links with the local community. The trophy, which was donated by Brian Buckley and his family in 1999, was this year presented by Brian’s sister, Maureen Dallimore to Evan Smith of Blaenavon Town Junior Band.
The date of next year’s Festival will be Saturday 30th January.
