The welcome visit of the 2016 Welsh Champion was a timely reminder of their polished approach to concert performances.

On this occasion under the direction of Ian Porthouse it was a light, easy-listening Sunday afternoon package of entertainment; nothing too strenuous, but with plenty of scope to showcase their individual and ensemble talents to the full.

Something for everyone

There was a little something for everyone too: The bold opening ‘Fest Musik der Stadt Wien’ followed by neat genre swaps that included a trio of classy solos from soprano Ian Roberts on ‘Flowerdale’, solo trombone Ryan Richards with a dextrous ‘Fantastic Polka’' and guest ‘old-boy’ Chris Davies on horn with a luscious ‘Evergreen’.

Brexit divide

A suavely Martini cool ‘James Bond Collection’, a bright ‘Shine as the Light’ and a touch of topical Trumpian bravura in ‘America’ closed a breezy first half, whilst more British Empire and Eurocentric fayre satisfied both sides of the musical Brexit divide in the second. 

‘633 Squadron’, ‘Castell Coch’, ‘Gaelic Blessing’, ‘Bugler’s Holiday’ and ‘The Blue Bird’ neatly spaced out two solo of very different female characters in ‘Hetty Wainthropp’ and ‘Carmen Fantasy’ played splendidly by Dewi Griffiths and Martyn Patterson, before a thumping ‘MacArthur Park’ and whizz bang ‘Gypsy Dance’ rounded the afternoon off with a real sense of colourful vibrancy.

Dave Banwell