There was no opportunity for Tredegar’s percussion team to enjoy a lazy Sunday morning in bed after their Welsh Open win in Porthcawl.

Led by Matt Hall and Steve Barnett, they played host at the bandroom to teams of percussionists for a great workshop day on the set works for bands in Sections 1 – 4 at the Welsh Regional Championships in Swansea in March.

Great support

With great support from Adrian Evans at Ev-entz Percussion and Premier Percussion, the lads were able to provide an hour and a half of expert tuition, guidance and advice (and even the odd cup of tea) to each team on the set works, ‘Mountain Views’, ‘Cross Patonce’, ‘Olympus’ and ‘English Folk Song Suite’.

Organiser Steve Barnett was delighted by the success of the day: “It was great to be able to help the percussionists out. It’s difficult for many inexperienced players to know how to help integrate the percussion into the band, so we hope we were able to give the right advice – and help enhance potential winning performances!”

Confidence rising

Ev-entz MD Adrian Evans, was also delighted to be able to lend a helping hand. “It’s a great idea and one that I hope will be repeated. You could see the confidence rising in the players as the sessions went on. Percussion is now so important in brass bands that it’s essential that young and especially inexperienced players get the chance to learn from top championship performers.”

Helpful and patient

One of the players helped was Debbie Lewis who came up from the RAF St Athan Band. “It’s been great. The boys were so helpful and supportive and patient! I’m sure everyone learned a great deal. Now I hope the adjudicators take note in Swansea!”

Steve concluded: “We hope to make this a regular event. The response we got was great and the support from Ev-entz and Premier ensured the players got to play on the very best equipment. We’ll be following each of the teams in Swansea to find out who they got on too.”

After a successful 2011, which saw them claim the All England Masters title and climb to number 4 in the world rankings, it came as no surprise that there was plenty to celebrate – long into the night.

Remarkable musician

The ‘Player of the Year’ trophy was won by solo horn, Chris Davies for a year in which the Merthyr Tydfil man performed superbly – most notably at the Masters competition in Kettering and at the European Championships in Montreux.

Ian Porthouse said: “Chris is a remarkable musician. His performances this year were outstanding.”

Setting the standard

Meanwhile, the ‘Players Player’ Award went to principal cornet Dewi Griffiths.

“Hard to think of any superlatives left for Dewi,” Ian said. “He’s my right hand man and the person who sets the standard for everyone else to follow.”

Perfect bandsman

Finally, Steve Barnett was voted ‘Bandsman of the Year’ is recognition for his remarkable contribution both as a player and as chief organisers extraordinaire.

“Steve’s just about the perfect bandsman,” Ian added. “His commitment is remarkable, his ability to organise things is second to none, and he’s one of the most reliable players you ever come across.”

Looking forward

The MD also thanked all the players for their efforts during 2011 and looked forward to the new season.

“It’s an honour to conduct such a great band – and great players. What we can go ahead and achieve this year is something special. We have started in the right way and I’m determined to carry that on.”

Tredegar’s principal euphonium player Byron ‘Buzz’ Newton has been thrust into the banding spotlight following his prize winning performance at the Welsh Open on the weekend.

His stunning rendition of the final two movements of the Philip Wilby ‘Euphonium Concerto’ – from memory, was described as ‘outstanding’ by adjudicator John Berryman, as the New Zealander claimed the prestigious Secretary’s Rose Bowl Trophy as the competition’s ‘Best Soloist’.

One of the very best

“Buzz has really come of age as a performer,” MD, Ian Porthouse said. “To hear playing of this quality, and from memory, shows just why he is now regarded as one of the very best euphonium players in the UK.”

The modest Kiwi though was just as pleased that he was able to help Tredegar to a 10th Welsh Open title, whilst he has already started work on the piece once more as he prepares for his appearance at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama Concerto Final this Friday.

Huge boost

”It’s great to be a part of the band,” he said. “To be able to play the piece ahead of the Final has given me a huge boost of confidence. It was a great experience on the weekend, especially as it helped start the year off with a victory.”

27 year old Buzz hails from Christchurch, the city which is still recovering from the effects of its devastating earthquake, so his thoughts are always on his homeland despite his own successes. “I used to play with the local Woolston Band, so I hope they are proud of me as well. Sometime in the future I hope to return home and play with them again.”

Memory man

Buzz is no stranger to performing without music either – winning plaudits for his cadenza performance at the National Finals at the Albert Hall last October, whilst he also claimed the prestigious 2011 Scenic Hotels Band of the Year ‘Best Soloist’ title with Pelorus Wellington Trust Band in New Zealand.

“I enjoy the opportunity to play from memory,” he said. “It certainly helps with the concentration!”

Masters

The future looks bright for Buzz as he completes his Masters at the Royal Welsh College later this year. He then hopes to embark on a full time musical career – with a little time left for his second love of cricket – which has seen him play at Minor County level in New Zealand and as a professional club cricketer in Herefordshire.

“My perfect job would be to play with Tredegar, enjoy a full time music career and have time to play the odd test match or two,” he said with a laugh.

Tredegar hopes so too.

Tredegar started their 2012 contesting season off with a real stamp of authority at a windswept Porthcawl on Saturday, by retaining their Welsh Open title – and in the process claiming the magnificent CISWO Challenge Cup and £1,000 first prize for a record 10th time.

Conducted by Ian Porthouse, the band also made it a hat trick of wins with a commanding performance, described by adjudicator John Berryman as being, ‘of the very highest class’.

Double celebration

There was double celebration for the band too, as principal euphonium player Byron ‘Buzz’ Newton won the prestigious Secretary’s Rose Bowl Trophy as ‘Best Soloist’ for his stunning playing, without music, on Philip Wilby’s ‘Euphonium Concerto’ – complete with Greek plate smashing finale.

Tredegar’s winning programme owed much to their prize winning Brass in Concert appearance last November.

The opening cornet feature ‘There is a Great Day Coming’ segued into the fleet footed ‘Matra’s Dance’, before Buzz delivered his cracking rendition of the last two movements of the Wilby’s ‘Concerto’.

A suave contrast came with Pat Methany’s ‘Letter from Home’ before the Masters champion rounded off their set with Matt Hall’s award winning ‘Nightingale Dances’.

Confidence and quality

MD Ian Porthouse said: “We wanted to start the season where we finished last year – playing with confidence and quality. We put in five consecutive rehearsals for this and it paid off. It’s an important year for the band and we want to carry on building and improving.”

Outstanding Buzz

He added: “Buzz was outstanding today. His work ethic is second to none and he has become a very impressive performer, whilst our new signings, especially Rhys Barrett on soprano really stepped up to the mark too.”

A full report, results and images from the contest can be found at: http://www.4barsrest.com/news/detail.asp?id=14737

Tredegar is working hard putting the final touches to their preparation for their defence of the Welsh Open title in Porthcawl on the weekend.

Having returned from Norway on Sunday afternoon, Ian was delighted that the first rehearsal that evening went so well, and that the players are determined to start the year off win a victory.

“It was great to come back and rehearse the band on good form. The players not resting on their laurels for this contest and we are determined to get the season off to the best possible start.”

Debut

The contest will also see the debut of new percussionist Tom Daley, who despite the name is more interested in gaining top marks for his brass banding than any high board diving.

The talented 17 year old is certainly looking forward to playing with the band. “It’s amazing to be part of Tredegar. The standard is incredible, but the support and encouragement I’m getting means I’m already feeling a part of the team.”

MD, Ian Pothouse has also welcomed the new signing. “Tom’s a real talent and as a local lad I’m sure he will enjoy his time with us. He is part of a great percussion team and he has a really bright future ahead of him.”

Support

Ian also hoped that there will be plenty of support for the band as they seek an unprecedented 10th victory at the event.

“After our performance at Brass in Concert, expectations will be high from the audience – and we are determined to show them just how good a band we are. We are not taking anything for granted – and we have rehearsals all this week in preparation. That’s how much it means to us.”

Contest details

The contest is held at the Porthcawl Grand Pavilion on Saturday 18th February.

The contest commences at 12.00 noon, with 2 draws for order of play at 11.00am and 2.00pm and a comfort break at the halfway point.

Tickets can be purchased in advance form the Grand Pavilion booking office on 01656 815995.

Ian Porthouse and Dewi Griffiths have just returned from Bergen after helping Sola Brass to their highest ever finish at the Norwegian National Championship held at the magnificent Grieghallen.

Sola ended the two legged contest in sixth place after producing two excellent performances of the horrendously difficult set work, ‘Goldberg 2012’ and their own choice selection of ‘Music of the Spheres’.

Enjoyed

Both Ian and Dewi thoroughly enjoyed the experience as the young outfit was up against some of the finest bands in Europe – including the eventual winners Eikanger Bjorsvik and the runner up, and current European champion, Manger Musikklag.

“We had a great time with the band,” Ian said. “They worked really hard, especially on ‘Goldberg 2012’, which was perhaps the hardest test piece I’ve had to prepare for a contest.”

Dewi agreed: “The players really made you feel welcome and wanted to work as hard as possible. The test piece though was about the most difficult I’ve played – some of it was nearly impossible.”

Kept busy

Ian and Dewi were kept busy during their time in Stavanger where the band hails from, with Ian leading a series of masterclasses at the local university and Dewi having extra parts written out for him to play.

Pricey pizza

After the band played the pair enjoyed a few quiet pints in the local Musician’s Bar in Bergen – although they won’t be going for a restaurant pizza again – after it cost £85.00!!!

“We went for a nice meal and had a couple of pints and a pizza between us,” Dewi added. “Our eyes nearly popped out when we worked out the cost!”

Both Ian and Dewi have already been approached by a number of bands to return to Norway next year, whilst they report that Tredegar now has a fledgling Norwegian fan club thanks to the players of the Second Division Rong Band, who revealed their support and their ability to understand Welsh accents after a few celebratory drinks late on the Saturday night!

Tredegar have announced that they are to run free Regional test piece percussion workshops for bands in Sections 1 – 4 on Sunday 19th February.

The workshops will be run in association with Premier Percussion and Ev-entz Ltd and will offer percussion sections up to one and half hours of free tuition with Tredegar’s percussion team on the test pieces to be used at this year’s Area Championships.

MD Ian Porthouse told 4BR: “It’s an ideal opportunity to help bands out and offer practical advice on how to get the most out of the percussion parts.  Linking with Premier and Ev-entz will enable the players to perform on the very best of equipment at Tredegar’s bandroom.”

If you are interested then all you have to do is get in touch with Tredegar’s Steve Barnett on 07900 843319 and book your slot.

Tredegar players will be enjoying a short break from rehearsals next week as they look forward to what is likely to prove to be a very busy few months of contest and concert performances.

Norwegian Championship

However, MD, Ian Porthouse and principal cornet, Dewi Griffiths will not get a chance to put their feet up, as they are  flying to Norway this weekend to help Sola Band in their assault on the Norwegian National Championships.

Tredegar’s MD will be conducting the Stavanger based outfit in the two legged Elite Division contest at the famous Greig Hall in Bergen – and he is joined by Dewi who will be using his experience on their cornet bench.

Not the first time

It’s not the first time the duo have been involved in the event, with Ian one of the adjudicating teams last year and Dewi playing cornet with the eventual champions, Eikanger-Bjorsvik.

It’s not going to be a Norwegian holiday though – as Ian explained.

“The test piece is amazingly difficult and Dewi has been working on it with me over the past few weeks.  We won’t have any time to enjoy the scenery that’s for sure!”

Amazing

Also in Bergen next week will be brass band website www.4barsrest – headed by Tredegar’s President Iwan Fox. “4BR has been going to the event for the past seven years now and it is one of the great contests in the banding world,” he said. “There is some amazing playing of contemporary music – and some very ambitious bands.  It shows just how much the Norwegians think of both Ian and Dewi that they have been asked once more to make the trip.”

The Tredegar Town Band Society has lost one of its finest servants, according to Band President Iwan Fox, following the sad news of the death of Keith Pinney (far right of picture). With almost 50 years of unbroken service to both the Town and Junior Bands, Keith died on Wednesday 1st February following a short illness.  He was aged 86.

Indispensible

“He was one of the indispensible non playing administrators whose expertise helped develop the Society into one of the leading public subscription organisations in Wales,” Iwan said.   “He was a lovely man, held in the highest respect both by players and supporters. He quietly, effectively and very professionally, helped run the Society in a way that reflected the growing musical success we started to enjoy from the early 1970’s onwards.  He was one of our finest servants and will be fondly remembered.”

Debt of gratitude

Band Treasurer and close friend Alwyn Powell added: “Keith’s commitment to the Society was total. He first got involved when his son Clive started with the Tredegar Junior Band, and soon became an indispensible figure. We owe him a great debt of gratitude. All our thoughts are with his wife Barbara and the extended family.”

The funeral will be held at Bethania Chapel in Tredegar at 1.00pm on Thursday 9th February.

Go to: http://www.4barsrest.com/reviews/concerts/con780.asp