Tredegar Town Band

Conductor: Brian Howard

St. Woolos Cathedral, Newport
Saturday 3rd November 2001

Tredegar are one of those bands that seem to go about their business without too much fuss or self imposed glory, but somehow they remain there or thereabouts in most contests they appear in.

2001 has seen them win the Welsh Area title, come 13th at the Open and 7th at the Nationals, win a few other contests and put up some pretty impressive shows into the bargain. They were disappointing at the Open, but still only fell into the midfield of bands, whilst the Nationals saw them put in a fine effort, which many thought deserved to be placed higher. It seems however that they are destined to be seen as a "nearly" band, which for the most part is more than a little harsh on them as there are plenty of bands out there who wouldn't mind being as "nearly" as them. They are genuine contenders at the top contests and they have the record to prove it over the last ten years. They've proved good value in the past in the concert field as well and so we went in search of them at the impressive St. Woolos Cathedral in Newport to see how the current band are faring.

It was one of those occasions when the local great and the good came out to play, and there were more chains and assorted metal work hung around the necks of numerous mayors than you could imagine. It was a like a Jim Fixed It For Me convention.

Still, give them their due – given the chance to show their faces at a Mayor's Charity bash is always a good excuse to get the Brasso out and clean off the old chain of office. Still – never mind the entertainment – what was the band like?

Given that most male members of the audience were over 70, Tredegar realised that it was going to be a night of lightness of touch and gave an eclectic programme that pandered unashamedly to the tastes of the Saga Holiday set.

Plenty of soloists playing all those old tunes of yesteryear and loads of cheesy stocking fillers that makes the pension brigade wobble with delight. You know you've hit the mark when the audience starts to sing along to Eric Ball.

Roger Boyle on Principal cornet again showed the qualities of style and technique that have made him one of the Principality's up and coming stars, with a fine rendition of the "Nightingale" followed by a romp through "Buglars Holiday" which the compere announced as "Burglars Holiday" without a hint of irony.

Joanne Dean also confirmed her ability as one of the countries leading flugel players with a super rendition of "Lark in the Clear Air" whilst the band euphonium player, Darren Morris made women of a certain age moist in the eyes with a superb bit of playing in "Softly As I Leave You".

In between, Tredegar showed off the qualities of a rounded band sound and plenty of good technique in a quality street assortment that ranged from the sublime "Procession to the Minster" to the faintly camp "Sweet Gingerbread Man". The things we do to please the audience eh?

The band also gave "America" and "Maleguena" the type of whippings that would have made even Frank Bough wince and there was plenty of good quality bashing and bonking from the percussion section in "Lets Face the Music and Dance" and "Toccata in D Minor" to bring a flush to even the vicar's face.

The compere also came up with a couple of cracking Irish jokes before band and guest soloist (the cathedral's organist, who's name I've forgotten and who didn't appear in the programme) played a rousing honk through "Finale from Symphony No3" by Saint Saens by the way of Frank Renton.

Tredegar are a band that works hard and gets results because of it. As a unit they display formidable qualities that make up for deficiencies elsewhere and many bands cast a more than envious eye at their record of achievement. Well conducted by the experienced Brian Howard they pleased themselves and the audience in a concert that showed that you don't always have to wow with firework rockets when the odd Catherine wheel and a couple of sparklers are more than enough to get the job done. And it all finished in time for a few pints and Chinese take away to end the evening. Can't beat that can you?

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