Images of the 2011 event can be found at:

http://www.4barsrest.com/articles/2011/1213b.asp

http://www.4barsrest.com/articles/2011/1213a.asp

British Open champion Tredegar kick-started their 2011 contesting season with victory at the Welsh Open Entertainment Contest in Porthcawl on Saturday.

Retaining title

Conducted by Ian Porthouse they secured the £1,000 top prize and magnificent CISWO Miners Trophy for a second successive year.

Television highlights

It was their ninth victory in the 14-year history of the event, and highlights of their success will be beamed nationwide next Saturday evening at 8.30pm on the Welsh language channel S4C.

They are to produce a 75-minute programme tracing the history of the Welsh Miners Eisteddfod, and with five cameras covering all angles of the action and with former Black Dyke cornet player Cai Isfryn providing the expert feedback, it is sure to give Welsh banding a huge boost of interest just a few weeks before the Area Championships in Swansea.

Polished

Tredegar’s polished 20-minute entertainment programme saw them beat in form BTM by a clear two-point margin, with Tongwynlais Temperance in third. The result added a touch of pre Area contest spice for future domestic battles too, as all three will be battling to claim the two qualification places to join Cory at the Albert Hall next October.

Impressed

Adjudicator Derek Broadbent was impressed by the overall standard he heard from all 11 bands on the day, as he told 4BR: "It was a very high standard today – the winners in particular. There was some excellent playing, some good playing and some indifferent playing, but overall I enjoyed what all the bands tried to do."

Derek also congratulated all the featured soloists, with the Secretary’s Rose Bowl winner Jonathan Pippen of BTM coming in for special praise: "It was beautiful, beautiful playing,” Derek added. “He stood up and literally said – ‘Now listen to this’."

It was their ninth victory in the 14-year history of the event, and highlights of their success will be beamed nationwide next Saturday evening at 8.30pm on the Welsh language channel S4C4BR

Bete noir

Any criticism of the bands was reserved for one of Derek’s bete-noirs- the inability of brass bands to swing. "If you are to try it, then make sure you do your homework and go back and listen to the artists from a previous era who certainly could do it. You must be able to ‘feel’ swing not just read it."

Evidence

On a day when over 500 people packed into the art deco octagon theatre at the Grand Pavilion, the 2010 British Open champion provided ample evidence of their quality with a entertainment set that featured the choreographed opening item, ‘Blackbird Special’ segueing into an old favourite ‘Folk Festival’.

Their new flugel signing Danny Winder produced a sublime account of ‘Ave Maria’ that led into a reprise of their Brass in Concert feature ‘Legends of Cyfarthfa’ before concluding with the fast paced Salvation Army finisher ‘Credo’.

Tough opener

MD Ian Porthouse was happy with a winning start to the new campaign although he missed the celebrations as he was heading north up the M6 to prepare Whitburn for their assault at the Scottish Championships.

"I’m more than happy with the result," he told 4BR. "It’s a good solid start to a very important year for the band. We are looking to build on the successes of 2010, and with Swansea and Montreux on the horizon this was the tough opener we needed."

Meanwhile, BTM showed that they will be a band to watch out for on their travels in 2011 too, with an ultra confident performance that pushed Tredegar all the way to the finishing line.

High paced

Trombone virtuoso Jonathan Pippen delivered a superb ‘Autumn Leaves’ to take the ‘Best Soloist’ award, whilst the band’s high paced programme, reprised from their recent Yeovil appearance was full of verve and colour and proved popular with the audience who gave it a rousing reception at its conclusion.

Lock horns

MD, Tom Davoren later told 4BR that he was delighted by his bands efforts: "It was another performance that sets us up for the rest of 2011. We are making real progress and with the superb soloists Jonathan and Dai (Cornelius) backed by the rest of the band I can’t wait to lock horns with our rivals at the Areas in Swansea."

Risky

Tongwynlais Temperance will have drawn confidence from their podium finish from what was a fairly risky strategy of only playing three pieces in their 20 minute set under Philip Harper – including his 12 minute concert work ‘Constellations’.

Despite some wavering in tempos and style, they also provided evidence that they will be snapping at the heels of the main contenders at the Brangwyn Hall in a few weeks time.

Two English top six finishers

Two of the three English challengers claimed top six finishes, with Melvin White making a welcome return to the Principality to lead Staines Brass into fourth place and pick up the £300 prize as the highest placed First Section band.

Their geographically eclectic mix of music from Norway to New Orleans and even a touch of Welsh valley chapel music was solidly delivered, and proved just enough to pip a delighted City of Cardiff (Melingriffith), who came fifth.

They opted for the full version of ‘Windows of the World’, under the direction of Gareth Ritter, which in turn was just good enough to edge out sixth placed Bournemouth Concert Brass, who delivered a well thought out programme under the direction of Cpt Dave Barringer.

Entertainment emphasis

Behind them came a battling field of contenders with Burry Port showing a return to form to claim seventh place ahead of Pontardulais, Lydbrook, Tylorstown and Abergavenny.

And on a day when the emphasis was very much on inventiveness, a number of bands made use of the in house big screen projection facilities.

Singing and dancing

However, it was Tylorstown under Gary Davies who took the £300 prize on offer for ‘Best Stage Presentation’ with a programme that literally featured all singing and dancing entertainment – much to the delight of the audience.

A very well run day (which included an hours lunch break) ended with the prizes being presented.

Prizes

13-year-old Alexander Rees of Tongwynlais took the ‘Youngest Player’ Award, whilst trombonist Stephen Sykes of Tredegar was on hand to receive the Graham Rees Memorial Bursary, which was decided upon prior to the contest.

All that was left was for S4C to film Tredegar on stage celebrating their victory – a sight and sound that will be heard again on television next weekend too.

Result:

Adjudicator: Derek Broadbent

1. Tredegar (Ian Porthouse) — 197
2. BTM (Tom Davoren) — 195
3. Tongwynlais Temperance (Philip Harper) — 193
4. Staines (Melvin White) — 190
5. City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) (Gareth Ritter)- 189
6. Bournemouth Concert (Cpt Dave Barringer) — 188
7. Burry Port (Michael Thorne) — 187
8. Pontardulais (Burns Pet Nutrition) (Paul Jenkins) — 185
9. Lydbrook (Ian Holmes) — 184
10. Tylorstown (Gary Davies) — 183
11. Abergavenny Borough (David Griffiths) — 182

Best Soloist: Jonathan Pippen (trombone) — BTM
Most Entertaining Band Presentation: Tylorstown
Highest First Section Band not in main prizes: Staines
Youngest Player: Alexander Rees (Tongwynlais Temperance) — aged 13