Abergavenny Borough Band has announced that Steve Sykes is to take the band to the Welsh Regional contest in Swansea next year.

Sabbatical

This follows an agreement between the band and its resident MD, Gareth Ritter for a temporary sabbatical in order for him to take his other band, City of Cardiff to the same competition.

Excited

Band Chairman, Andrew Richards told 4BR: "Gareth is a very successful conductor and has worked hard in developing both bands. Obviously he can’t take us both to the contest so we have agreed for him to have a short break from Abergavenny."

He added: "He will still remain our resident MD and will return to the Band following the competition. The band is very excited about working with Steve again."

This has been a very difficult decision for us all but I’m really pleased that the band has engaged Steve for the Swansea contestGareth Ritter

Difficult

Meanwhile Gareth Ritter added: "This has been a very difficult decision for us all but I’m really pleased that the band has engaged Steve for the Swansea contest. Steve and I will be working together in the new year to prepare the band."