Brass bands dominated the first two days of the National Eisteddfod of Wales currently being held in Bala.

Nearly 30,000 people attended this popular festival over the weekend, many of whom came into the main performance pavilion to hear a well fought, entertainment style competition between the bands.

Pleased

Tredegar and Beaumaris were clear favourites in the top section with Beaumaris coming out on top in adjudicator Roy Roe’s view.

RAF St Athan were more than pleased with their third place, ahead of Pontardulais and Wrexham Brass.

Nearly 30,000 people attended this popular festival over the weekend, many of whom came into the main performance pavilion to hear a well fought, entertainment style competition between the bands4BR

Introduction

Playing first, Beaumaris, conducted by Gwyn Evans, opened with 'Introduction' by Torstein Aagaard-Nilson, followed by 'Earth Rites' by Robin Dewhurst), 'Chiquilin de Bachin' and 'Hora Staccato' and closing with 'The Battle of Rastarkan' by Philip Sparke.

Tredegar’s programme opened with 'Fest Music der Stadt Wien' and included 'Mr Lear’s Carnival', 'Letter From Home', 'Spinning Song' and closing with 'Entry of the Gods into Valhalla'.

Strong challenges

In the lower Sections, Deiniolen took first place in Section 2 beating off strong challenges from City of Cardiff and Newtown in a competition in which many felt that any one of the three bands could have taken the top prize.

Justified

Oakley Band took first prize in Section 3 and Crwbin justified their journey up from West Wales by winning Section 4.

60 plus items

Over two days the bands played over 60 items of which only three appeared more than once. Goff Richards and Alan Fernie proved to be the most popular composer/arrangers closely followed by Philip Sparke and Leigh Baker.

Several bands chose traditional Welsh items but a question has been raised about the dearth of contemporary Welsh music in the programmes chosen by bands.

Full Results:
Championship/Section 1
1. Beaumaris (G. Evans) — 92
2. Tredegar (I. Porthouse) — 91
3. RAF St Athan (A. Bourne) — 90
4. Pontardulais (P. Jenkins) — 89
5. Wrexham Brass (W. Rushton) — 88

Section 2:
1. Deiniolen (G. Saynor) — 85
2. City of Cardiff (G. Ritter) — 84
3. Newtown (S. Edwards) — 82

Section 3:
1. Oakley (J. G. Jones) — 90
2. Menai Bridge (C. Hughes) — 87
3. Ystradgynlais Public (P. Williams) — 82

Section 4:
1. Crwbin (J. Jones) — 86
2. Llandudno (C. Wolfendale) — 84
3. Abergynolwyn (A. Williams) — 82
4. Harlech (A. Williams) — 81
5. Dyffryn Nantlle (S. Hughes) — 80
6. Ystradgynlais Public (P. Williams) — 78

Adjudicators:
Roy Roe – Chamionship/First and Second
Chris Wormald – Sections 3 and 4