Young Cardiff-based composer David Rees is celebrating the end of a year which has seen the premieres of six of his compositions by various bands in South Wales.

March and solo

In January, his march ‘The Band That Jack Built’, dedicated to the memory of one of the founding members of the Usk Band, was premièred by the Usk Youth Band at the 2012 Greater Gwent Youth Brass Festival.

This was closely followed by the premiere of a new flugel solo performed by the composer himself, and a new concert opener by the Rogerstone Band.

Brass the Baton

In June, the Ynyshir Band requested a short fanfare to perform as part of the Cultural Olympiad ‘Brass the Baton’ project, whilst in September they also commissioned a new arrangement of the miner’s hymn, ‘Gresford’, which was premiered at the CISWO Miners Entertainment Contest in Porthcawl.

Finally, at the recent SEWBBA contest in Blaenavon, Ynyshir also premiered a new test piece ‘Springtime’, which had been adapted from one of his A Level Music compositions.

Enjoyed

Ynyshir MD, Dean Evans told 4BR: "I have thoroughly enjoyed working with David on the compositions he has undertaken for us over the last year. All have been outstanding new works and we are currently in discussions over another for the band that will hopefully be performed in the early part of 2013."

In addition to his compositional achievements David was also appointed Composer-in-Residence by the Rogerstone Band too.

It’s been a brilliant year for me as a composer. To receive six premieres, including a test piece gives me a huge boost to my confidenceDavid Rees

Brilliant year

David added: "It’s been a brilliant year for me as a composer. To receive six premieres, including a test piece gives me a huge boost to my confidence.

I’m now looking to build on my experiences, and hope to continue to compose music for more bands across the country. Until then, I will continue to look for opportunities to learn off other composers and conductors, with the aim of improving my musical knowledge."