New in 2012

Christmas Cracker Surprises

There were lots of surprises in store for the audience at our Christmas Cracker concert on Saturday 15th December at the Borough Theatre, Abergavenny.

The first “gem” in the cracker was a mesmerising performance by the Junior Band, all thirty of them, who started the concert off with a solo cornet performance by Erin Shorey (12yrs old) of “Once in Royal Davids City”. Erin cut through the silence of the packed theatre with her simple but pure rendition of the carol, giving goose bumps to us all.

Frosty the Snowman followed and then Junior Band Tutor, Lana Tingay had the audience swaying side to side, backwards and forwards, and up and down to her arrangement of a Christmas 'Shunkle' Waltz. There was no reprieve for the audience in the second half as Lana engaged several of them in an all action version of the Twelve Days of Christmas. With Jingle Bells and We Wish You a Merry Christmas to finish the junior band showed us all how hard they have worked preparing such a polished and entertaining programme.

Isabel Smith brought on her choir from Llanfoist Fawr Primary School and delighted the theatre with their singing of Merry Christmas Everyone, Away In a Manger and It’s a Magical Time of the Year. In the second half they started with Unto us a Child is Born before raising the tempo with Rock Around the Shops and Jingle Bell Rock. Again a very polished performance showing the hard work and dedication of the youngsters and staff.

The senior band took the opportunity in the first half to reminisce over the events of the last year and played music it had performed at the Millennium Stadium, Olympic Park, the Senedd and other venues during 2012. Last year’s Christmas number one from the Military Wives Choir “Wherever You Are” featured in the first half. Arranged for brass band by Paul Mealor, the band was privileged to have him conduct the piece when we were joined by the Llandaff Cathedral Choral Society at the Dora Stoutzker Hall, Cardiff in September.

The second half was a more traditional feast of Christmas Music which included Jona Lewie’s “Stop the Cavalry” and the wonderfully evocative music by Howard Blake “The Snowman”. A grand finale concluded the bands programme when it once again remembered its visit to the Olympic Park and the Senedd during the summer and played Viva La Vida by Cold Play.

An evening of fantastic music from bands and choir was thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended and as the children returned to the stage, we all joined in the final carol “O Come All Ye Faithful”.

The concert was the pinnacle of a lot of hard work by several people but notably that of Sharon Havard. Sharon and husband Gareth became involved in the band when their two daughters joined as junior learners some 15 years ago. Gareth is now the Bands Secretary and Sharon has been the driving force behind many of the annual and Christmas concerts. Sadly, Sharon has now decided to pass this role onto someone else as she goes into 2013 concentrating on her academic studies. The band congratulates her on a job well done.

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17th December 2012

Band finished third in table

Our excellent year concluded with a creditable third place finish in the South East Wales Brass Band Association Championship section after Burry Port (Champion Band) and Tylorstown (runner up). Points are accumulated over two years of competitions to decide the final grading.

Achieving joint Champion Band of Wales in 2011 has certainly helped the final position amongst some very strong competition in this section. This will become an even stronger section in 2013 with the promotion of City of Cardiff band from the first section, and our band will need to work very hard for the 2013 season if it wants to maintain or improve on its current position.

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17th December 2012

4th Place at Blaenavon rewards our hard work

  The Band travelled to Blaenavon on Saturday 24th November to participate in the last contest of the year. The Blaenavon Workmen's Hall was a splendid venue for the event and is a fine example of industrial Wales' architecture, the construction of which was paid for by the mineworkers themselves.

For this contest the band chose George Lloyds “English Heritage” as its own choice test piece and, after several weeks’ hard work, gave a very polished performance of the music on the day. The piece was set as the 2010 Championship section test piece for the regional championships.

The Bands superb soloists stepped up to the plate with magnificent individual performances that complimented the confident ensemble playing of the band as a whole.

MD Craig Roberts commented “a great show, the band worked hard and it paid off. A good solid team effort and a big
improvement since October”.

Seven bands entered the section and the Band came 4th behind BTM (3rd), Markham (2nd) and Burry Port Band (1st).

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25th November 2012

Band Leads the Remembrance Day Parade

Sunday November 11th 2012 was a bright sunny day for the traditional remembrance Sunday Parade in Abergavenny. Setting off from the Town Hall at 10:30am the parade was led by the Band and marched to the War Memorial for the morning service. Always well supported by the people of Abergavenny, this year was no exception as hundreds lined the streets and participated in the act of remembrance.

The Band led the parade playing the march medley “1914” which included Tipperary, Hello Who’s Your Lady Friend and Take Me Back to Blighty,  and followed this with Robert Halls 1895 march “Death or Glory” to bring the parade to the war memorial. Traditional hymns were followed by the 2 minutes silence heralded by the Last Post expertly played by band principal cornet player, Diane Mogford.

Brass bands all over the UK participate in similar parades and support their local communities for this important ceremony. Abergavenny Borough Band has always been an important part of  the towns Remembrance Day parade and service, and it is a role we are very proud and honoured to have.

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20th November 2012

Memories of a fantastic year at the Annual Dinner

Band members and guests shared fond memories of an exciting year for the Band at the Annual Dinner held on Saturday 13th October at Alice Springs Golf Club, Usk.

Our special guest, Abegavenny Town Mayor Samantha Dodd, praised the band for all the hard work it has undertaken in the name of the town saying "the band has become an Icon of Abergavenny. To represent the town at the Olympic Park and at the Senedd was an achievement everyone is proud of".  Chairman, Andrew Richards, thanked the mayor and town council for the tremedous support consistently given to the band and said how important it is to us to be so closely associated with the community we serve.

Although absent due to work commitments, MD Craig Roberts sent a letter to the band read out by the Chairman. Craig said "It really has been quite an amazing year on the performance side, and the social side of the band has followed on from that (particularly in Cardiff after the rugby and certainly in Fishguard...). For the moment however the bar has been set, and hopefully we can continue to line up further exciting concert opportunities, along with getting some silverware back in the cupboard and also have the good times continue to roll, with everyone enjoying their banding". Craig continued to thank the band members for their consistent hard work and support, and particularly the committee and Lana (resident conductor) for all the good work that they continue to do.

Honours went to Richard Ward (junior player of the year) and Geraint Thomas (bandsman of the year). Long service awards were presented to Geraint Thomas and Deb Bull.

A video montage of photos and video clips from the events of the year delighted everyone present and rounded the evening off with some fond reminiscenses.

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14th October 2012

3rd place at Fishguard

The band travelled to Fishguard in West Wales on Saturday 6th October to compete in the championship section of the West Wales Brass Band Association Festival Contest. Although only four bands made the effort to participate in this section, adjudicator Glyn Williams placed the band a creditable 3rd with its playing of Trittico (James Curnow) our own choice of test piece.  First was Burry Port followed by Tylorstown, Abergavenny and Pontardulais. The adjudicator’s remarks highlighted problems with intonation and some harsh playing in the band but there was lots of praise from Mr Williams for the Euphoniums and Basses.
Players and families enjoyed staying overnight at the Sea View Hotel and partied well into the night enjoying the opportunity to share high spirits, fun and laughter. It was also the contest debut for our 2nd Euphonium player, John Huber and the band took its chance to mark the moment by christening him in the sea.

Website Editor 7th October 2012

Busy weekend for the Band

Thousands of people turned out at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay Friday night (14th September) to welcome home Wales’s Olympic and Paralympic Heroes. The Band was proud to be part of the ceremony and delighted the crowd by playing Delilah and Cold Plays “Viva La Vida” as well as, appropriately, Summon the Heroes and Supergirl amongst several other pieces. About 40 of the 68 London 2012 Games athletes gathered on the Senedd steps, where crowds cheered them. Among them were Olympic gold medallists Tom James and Jade Jones and Paralympic champions Mark Colbourne, Aled Davies and Josie Pearson.

The band was Joined by performers from the Cultural Olympiad in Wales; the Celtic Cafe ensemble of traditional musicians, Ebbw Vale male choir and Composer Lloyd Coleman who played clarinet in the British Paraorchestra alongside Coldplay in the Paralympics closing ceremony.

First Minister, Carwyn Jones addressed the crowd and then each athlete's name was read out individually before they went onto the stage to huge applause. The evening ended with ticker tape and the singing of the British and Welsh anthems.

The very next day saw the band at the Making Music Annual Conference where it participated in an evening concert at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama's Dora Stoutzker Hall. Highlights for the band were the performances of “Wherever You Are” written for the Military Wives Choir by Paul Mealor, and Edward Gregsons epic “An Age OF Kings” with off stage trumpets by the Cory Band, Harpist Megan Morris, Pianist John Paul Ekins and the beautiful Soprano voice of Colette Boushell.

The band Musical Director, Craig Roberts, who is also Wales Development Manager for Making Music, commented,
“It was a great weekend at the Making Music Conference in the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama. Superb performances in the conference concert by Cory 10 piece and Abergavenny Borough Band, and also wonderful to have Paul Mealor work with the band and premiere his Jubilate! Jubilee! - and have the performance captured, along with the first performance of Gareth Wood's Sea Dogs for brass band (performed by Cory), by BBC Radio 3”.

Band Chairman, Andrew Richards, said, "players are saying how much they have enjoyed the weekends activities. We are much more than just a contesting band which often can be very insular. It is rewarding to have the chance to show off the band at such great venues, and this year we have played at the Wales Millennium Stadium (Wales vs The Barbarians 57,000 people) the Hoddinott Hall in Cardiff, The Olympic Park and now the Senedd and Dora Stoutzker Hall. We can all take some wonderful memories from these occasions and there are more exciting events on the bands horizon" 

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18th September 2012

A Great day out at the Olympic Park

It was a wonderful experience for the Band to play at the Olympic Park as part of the Paralympic closing celebrations on Sunday 9th September. We took 30 performers to London for the day and were joined on stage by West End star, Peter Karrie. Together we performed a 30 minute programme which included many of Peters stage hits from Jesus Christ Superstar and Phantom of the Opera. Also we led a UK wide performance of Coldplay's anthemic hit Viva La Vida as part of the London 2012 Festival finale. Coldplay agreed to the piece being played at 2pm that day during the "Bandstand Marathon" when hundreds of outdoor community concerts took place simultaneously that afternoon. Coldplay were one of the star acts of the Paralympic Games closing ceremony in the evening.
Band Chairman Andrew Richards commented “this was an amazing opportunity for the band and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The audience loved it and joined in with Peters singing. He had them all dancing and waving to “New York, New York” and “Minnie the Moocher” as well as his hits from the stage. Much has been made of the happiness evident at the Olympic Park and we experienced this first hand...I’ve never seen so many smiling faces, and the Games Makers were brilliant”

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12th September 2012

 

Making Music Annual Conference

The Band will join the Llandaff Cathedral Choral Society and two of Making Music's 2012 Young Concert Artiste's at the Making Music annual conference in Cardiff on Saturday 15th September. The programme will include Paul Mealor's Christmas No1 "Wherever You Are" written for the Military Wives Choir as well as the world premier of his "Jubilate! Jubilee!" a specially commissioned work by Making Music and the British Council in honour of the Diamond Jubilee.

The concert starts at 8pm in the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, at the new Dora Stoutzker Hall and the band will also perform Gregson’s "An Age of Kings" with the choir and young concert artistes.

Band Chairman, Andrew Richards says " this is indeed a prestigeous event and another exciting opportunity for the band. Performing at this venue and sharing the stage with the Choral Society and accomplished young artistes is going to be one of the highlights of our year".

To find out more about the event please visit the Making Music website by clicking here.

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6th September 2012

Band plays for Wales Olympian and Paralympian Heroes

The Homecoming event for Wales Olympians and Paralympians will take place outside the Senedd in Cardiff on Friday 14th September between 3pm and 7pm. The Band will be appearing alongside individuals/groups who took part in the Cultural Olympiad in Wales to welcome our Olympic and Paralympic heroes to the venue. Fanfares and anthems as well as a procession of athletes led by the band are planned.

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5th September 2012

 

Olympic Park Performance for the Band.

The band has won the opportunity to play at the Olympic Park as part of the Paralympic closing celebrations on 9th September. The band is taking 30 performers to London for the day and we will be joined on stage by West End star, Peter Karrie. Together we will perform a 30 minute programme as well as other spots throughout the park during the afternoon.

Musicians across the UK will perform Coldplay's anthemic hit Viva La Vida as part of the London 2012 Festival finale. The band have agreed to the track being played at 2pm on Sunday 9 September during the "Bandstand Marathon". The event will see hundreds of outdoor community concerts taking place simultaneously that afternoon. Coldplay are one of the star acts of the Paralympic Games closing ceremony in the evening. We will be joining with the Belles of Three Spires for a joint performance of Viva La Vida on the day.

Two other acts have won the chance to perform at the Olympic Park Bandstand; London's Dhol2Dhol, a traditional Indian drum troupe and The Belles of Three Spires, a female barber shop chorus.
Ruth Mackenzie, director of the London 2012 Festival, said: "The Bandstand Marathon is encouraging local music groups to showcase their talents and be part of the London 2012 Festival."

The event is being produced by the arts organisation, Superact, and Making Music, an organisation for voluntary music.

Band Chairman Andrew Richards comments “this is an amazing opportunity for the band and everyone is very excited by the prospect of playing on an international stage. Representing Wales and Welsh music groups in a performance at the Olympic Park will be a tremendous achievement for us, and a landmark in the history of our organisation.  This falls in the middle of a busy two weeks for us with our annual concert on 7th and the Making Music Annual Conference in Cardiff on 15th. It has meant a busy summer of rehearsals and we are all looking forward to turning this hard work into some memorable performances”.

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27th August 2012

The 2012 Annual Concert (7th Sept 2012)

  

Special Guest Star; Peter Karrie

The Band is delighted to be sharing the stage with West End Star Peter Karrie at its Annual Concert on 7th September in the Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. Peter is a very good friend of the Bands and travelled with several players to Crete last year to perform in a variety of venues on the Island. Star of many West End Musicals such as Chess, Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera and Evita to name a few, Peter will be delighting our audience with solo performances and singing with the band.

The programme will include pieces from his musical hits and a new and exciting repetoir from the band. Click here to go to Peter Karrie's official website.

The concert is also an opportunity for people to see the band perform with Peter just before we travel to the Olympic Park to participate in the closing cellebrations of the Paralympic Games on 9th September.

The concert is on 7th September at the Borough Theatre, Abergavenny starting at 7:30pm.  Tickets are £10 (£8 concessions) from the Box Office Tel: 01873 850805

Website Editor
7th August 2012

   

Free Concert at the Brewery Yard

The Brewery Yard, Abergavenny (NP7 5PE) will be the venue for our concert on Sunday 22nd July, beginning at 2:30pm. This beautiful setting is ideal for an open air concert and allows audiences freedom to wander and take advantage of local amenities which are close by.
The site is located in the heart of the town centre surrounded by local businesses and residential houses and features a series of cascading terraces, a kiosk and a piazza paved with granite setts. Its design was inspired by the former brewery building which occupied part of the site until it was demolished in 1960.

There is plenty of free parking on site.

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18th July 2012

Town Mayor Installation

We will be playing at the installation of the new Abergavenny Town Mayor at the Borough Theatre, Abergavenny on the evening of 11th June. Councillor Samantha Dodd has been elected as the Mayor for the forthcoming year. Mrs Margaret Dodd will be her Mayoress. The Deputy Mayor will be nominated at the Installation.

This has become a annual engagement for the band and we shall provide entertainment for invited guests and members of the public who will attend to witness the ceremony. Click here for the town councils web site.

  

Steamin' Brass

Well! we've done Flaming Brass, now its time to do Steamin Brass as we participate once again in the famous Abergavenny Vintage Steam Ralley at Bailey Park on 2nd and 3rd June. This is a major event in the Abergavenny Town calendar attracting many thousands of visitors to the town over the two days. The band plays on both days at the Bandstand in the park.

The Junior Band had a very warm welcome on the first day, playing from the bandstand under the leadership of Lana Tingay. The youngsters programme included cartoon music, Herb Alberts Tijuana Brass and Spanish Flea, Liberty Bell and many more items that pleased an appreciative audience, despite the inclement weather.

A much fairer Bank Holiday Monday ensured a bigger attendance at the rally as people took advantage of the break in metrological hostilities. The senior band enjoyed playing a varied programme for the crowd, again under the direction of the Bands resident conductor, Lana Tingay. This concluded a busy weekend for the band during which we played with the 1,000 male voice choit at the Wales v Barbarians match in Cardiff.

Details of the events can be found by clicking here.

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5th June 2012

  

Band plays for Wales

The band made up the majority of players of Symphonic Brass Wales that feature in Wales v the Barbarians at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday 2nd June. We took to the hallowed ground of the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff to provide the pre-match entertainment, accompanying the 1,000 voice male choir under the direction of Dr Haydn James, and performing the Welsh National Anthem to start the Wales versus the Barbarians match.

Band members are delighted to be involved in the event and support the national rugby team in their Grand Slam winning year.
Click here for the Symphonic Brass Wales Website

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5th June 2012

Flaming Brass Concert success!

A warm, sultry evenining in the sunshine was shared by over 450 people who came to listen to the Band and our guests, the Ravensburg Youth Symphony Orchestra, at Abergavenny Castle on Friday 25th May. This was an amazing event featuring music classics by both band and orchestra who delighted the audience with renditions of Theivish Magpie, Lohengrin, Phantom of the Opera, Nabucco, to name but a few. The evening was topped off with a performance by Band and Orchestra of Tchaikovsky's formidable 1812 Overture accompanied by a firework display to deliver an impressive climax to the piece.

We were also joined by Mr Terry Luddington (British Federation of Brass Bands) who brought the "Yellow Baton" to the venue when he was stretchered into the event by the local mountain rescue team. The band finished its first half performance by playing the specially commissioned work for the 2012 Cultural Olympiad, Going the Distance, conducted by MD Craig Roberts with the yellow baton.

The event was masterfully compered by our good friend, David Hayward and was expertly organised by the Bands secretary, Gareth Havard. The Concert would not have been possible without the considerable support of a number of local businesses and individuals. Time and professional services were freely given by the following and the band wishes to thank them all.

Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Ltd (Mr John Brocklehurst)
Hannah & Pete Hill of the Abergavenny Focus Magazine
Robert Price (Builders Merchants) Ltd
Chris Breakwell (Grad IOSH)
Peter Johns, Abergavenny Town Clerk
Rachael Rogers — Curator, Abergavenny Castle
Abergavenny Town Council
Monmouthshire County Council

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29th May 2012  

Brass the Baton

As part of the celebrations of the Olympic torch relay a specially commissioned work by Paul Lovatt-Cooper will be performaed at the Band's concert on 25th May at Abergavenny Castle. Entitled "Going the Distance" the music will be conducted by our Musical Director, Craig Roberts, using a special baton that is, in its self, the subject of a UK relay around participating Brass Bands. The baton will arrive in Abergavenny from Fulham and then, following our performance, will continue its journey to Bath Spa Band for a concert on Sunday before returning to Wales for a concert by the Ynishir Band.

Follow the journey by logging on to www.brassthebaton.com

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19th May 2012

  

Youngsters Sing for Royal Visit

 

Three of our young members sang for the Queen at her recent visit to the new County Archives at Ebbw Vale. 
As members of the Greater Gwent Youth Choir, Elizabeth Tingay and Anna and Evan Roberts performed as the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh toured the new facilities.  As the Queen chatted to officials the Duke made conversation with the choir members, apparently asking whether it was possible to get blisters on vocal chords!

Colin Roberts, 7 May 2012

 

 

Flaming Brass - A night to remember at the Castle

Abergavenny Borough Band in conjunction with the Ravensburg Youth Symphony Orchestra present an open air concert to celebrate the arrival of the 2012 Olympic Torch in Abergavenny on 25th May 2012.
Set in the majestic grounds of Abergavenny Castle, the concert programme will feature brass and orchestral classics culminating in a spectacular arrangement of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture complete with synchronised fireworks! Other featured items include Wagner's Introduction to Act III, Lohengrin; Overture: La Gazza Ladra by Rossini ; Fantaisia On British Sea Songs by Wood; and the Mozart Overture Marriage of Figaro.
Tickets available from Borough Theatre Box Office(01873 850805)
at £10 each (£8 concessions) 7.45pm start.

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18th April 2012

2012 Welsh Regional Championship - Swansea

The band was disappointed to have only secured 4th at this years championships in Swansea on 17th March, despite an impressive performance of the superb test piece, Mountain Views by Bertrand Moren. Many hours of rehearsal and brilliant direction from Craig Roberts, the bands MD, gave the players the confidence to deliver one of the bands best performances in competition. 4BarsRest pundits placed the band in the prizes but the adjudicator (Derek Broadbent) had different views although he did praise the band and individual excellence in his remarks.

Craig was also pleased with the bands performance and shared in everyone's disappointment at the result. However, he was quick to point out the definite improvement in approach and in the confidence of the band.

The results on the day

1. Burry Port (Michael Thorne)
2. Lewis Merthyr (Gareth Pritchard)
3. Tylorstown (Garry Davies)
4. Abergavenny Borough (Craig Roberts)
5. Rogerstone (Jamie Jones)
6. Deiniolen (Neil Samuel)
7. Penclawdd Brass (Tony Small)

Intrepid explorers come off the "Mountain"

 

Not to put a dampner on the day these two, Diane and Jonathan, look like they had to be rescued off the "Mountain" following a great day at Swansea playing the test piece "Mountain Views". The views obviously looked better through the bottom of a glass!

 

 

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18th March 2012

Hoddinott Hall

The band participated in the Music Nation Cymru Concert at the prestigious Hoddinott Hall, Wales Millennium Centre on Saturday 3rd March. Hoddinott Hall is the home of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and provided a magnificent venue for the Bands performance. The day saw contributions from Ensemble Cymru, Welsh Sinfonia/National Youth Orchestra of Wales String Ensemble and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama Brass Band.

Musical Director Craig Roberts chose a programme that included movie theme arrangements by Wales composer and arranger, Leigh Phillips and we were joined on stage for two of these items by superb vocalist Hariet Whitehead from Blaenau Gwent who sang "A Beautiful Mind" and "Surrender", and guitarist, Chris Peet who added an extra dimension to the theme from "Johnny English".

Craig invited a good friend of the band. Nigel Seaman, as guest conductor for two pieces on the programme, "Sosban Fach" by Gareth Wood and the Welsh area Test Piece "Mountain Views" by Betrand Moren. The day was a rewarding experience for the band; to play at such a superb concert hall and to have the opportunity to run the test piece for the area contest on 17th March proved invaluable. Chairman, Andrew Richards commented "It was exciting to be part of this excellent day of music making, and to experience such a great venue. It gave the band and Craig a chance to critically assess the test piece as part of our preparation for the contest in two weeks. We had a very enjoyable day and made it a bit of a social occasion for the band by joining together for a Chinese meal after the concert".

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4th March 2012

Welsh Open Entertainment Contest, Porthcawl

The band played an exciting selection of movie music as its entry for this years Welsh Open Entertainment Contest held at the Pavilion, Porthcawl on Saturday 18th February. The six chosen pieces were arranged for Brass Band by Swansea film music composer and arranger, Leigh Philips.

The two opening pieces, Supergirl and Spiderman were followed by a moving arrangement of "A Beautiful Mind" taking the themes Kaleidoscope of Mathematics & All That Love Can Be from the music for our guest vocalist, Samantha Link to sing with the Band.

Music from the American Mini TV Series "Masada"  followed before the band finished their performance with the James Bond  theme "Surrender" from Tomorrow Never Dies, again beautifully sang by our very own Bond Girl, Samantha Link and the recent James Bond spoof movie staring Rowan Atkinson, "Johnny English".

On this occasion however, the competition was extreemely tough and the band only managed 9th place from the eleven competing bands. Musical Director, Craig Roberts comented "We must remember that every other band was also at the top of their game; it was a good standard. The result didn't reflect the performance as the band played well, was entertaining and confident".

It was, however, a very enjoyable experience and one we were privileged to share with our special guest, Samantha. We hope to feature her in some more concerts in the future. Please visit Samantha's website by clicking here.

The full results for the day were:

1. Tredegar - 194
2. Tongwynlais Temperance - 192
3. BTM - 191
4. Northop - 190
5. City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) - 187
6. Pontardulais Town - 186
7. Tylorstown - 185
8. Burry Port - 184
9. Abergavenny - 182
10. Lewis Merthyr - 181
11. Markham & District - 180

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18th February 2012

Hospice of the Valleys Concert

Ebbw Vale Leisure Centre, 11th February 7pm 

The band was privileged to share the stage with four male voice choirs from Blaenau Gwent and guest artistes to open a year of cellebrations marking the 21st anniversary of the Hospice. The auditorium was packed by an appreciative audience as compere David Hayward expertly brought the various parts of an extensive programme seamlessly together.

There was a mesmerising performance by 15yrs old Isata Kanneh-Mason who's virtuoso piano playing was met with a well deserved standing ovation. Band and massed choir (Abertillery, Ebbw Vale, Cwm and Beaufort Male Voice) delivered a varied programme of traditional choir pieces and band arrangements of music from the movies. Katy Treharne (West End star of Phantom) who comes from Nanatyglo, took the audience by storm with her solo performance and the evening was enhanced with singing duo, Kathleen Jenkins and Mark Chamberlain.

The Band's Musical Director, Craig Roberts, comented that it was good to see the auditorium so full and that all the performers were superb. He added that the band gave an excellent performance and he hopes that the concert becomes an annual event, maybe a St Davids day festival.

Overall the evening proved a fitting tribute to a wondeful organisation which has provided specialist care in Blaenau Gwent since 1991. The band is very proud to have been part of this spectacular concert and wishes Hospice of the Valleys a very successful year of cellebrations.

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12th February 2012

New Baby for band couple

The band sends warm wishes and congratulations to Jeremy and Louise on the birth of their baby daughter, Nia Seren (7lb 13oz), who was born at 7:45am on 12th January. This is also Louise's birthday.

Jeremy (Euphomium and Tuba) and Louise (Cornet) have been regular guest players for the band helping out at various contests and concerts. All members of the band are delighted to share in their happiness at this time and wish them a very happy future.

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13th January 2012

  

New Years Day Walk

Twenty six band members, family and friends spent a very enjoyable new years morning walking the 7 miles from Brynmawr to Govilon along the old railway footpath. The weather was kind and the views as spectacular as ever as we decended the valley to finish at the Bridgend Inn Govilon where we enjoyed a very welcome lunch and good company. In what has now become a traditional new years event for the band, we take this opportunity to enjoy the social side of banding and look forward to the following years busy schedule of contests and concerts.

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2nd January 2012 

  

Thank you for your support

The band has had a very successful Christmas period fundraising throughout the Abergavenny area. The Band wishes to thanks all the people of the town and surrounding area for such tremendous support again this year".

The band starts rehearsals in eanest on January 3rd in preparation for another busy year of contesting and concerts. Please go to our enquiry page (click here) if you would like to join us.

Website editor
2nd January 2012