There was an early season display of high quality contesting intentions in Porthcawl on the weekend, as Tredegar, conducted by Ian Porthouse retained the Welsh Open Entertainment Championship for a fourth successive year.
Kick started
Just behind them came another band that will also look to build on recent excellent contest form, as Tongwynlais Temperance under Richard Evans kicked-started their 2013 campaign by pushing the reigning champions close as runner-up.
There was also a massive boost of pre-Area confidence for Tylorstown, as the First Section contenders at Swansea delivered a fine performance under Gary Davies to claim the final podium spot, ahead of top section rivals Burry Port, Staines and City of Cardiff (Melingriffith).
Packed auditorium
The ‘Open’ has now become one of the best supported events on the Welsh contesting calendar, and the ornate art deco auditorium was packed all day as an appreciative audience enjoyed the eclectic entertainment provided by the 12 contenders.
Tongwynlais set their stall out with an impressive audience friendly set under Richard Evans. Aided by ‘Best Soloist’ and ‘Best Cornet Player’ Gareth Hann’s outstanding personal contribution, they set a challenging marker that only Tredegar could top as the penultimate band of the day.
Winner's programme
The winner’s programme – a reprise of much of their successful 2012 Brass in Concert set and featuring the talents of principal cornet Dewi Griffiths, opened with the choreographed march ‘National Emblem’, followed by the colourful gypsy inspired ‘Damba’ and trumpet solo ‘People’.
A change of contrast and dynamic was provided by Simon Dobson’s ‘Little Hymn’, before the band closed by bringing the patriot blood in the veins of the Welsh audience to bubbling point, with the rousing ‘Heart of the Dragon’ by Matt Hall.
Happy man
The winning MD was understandably a happy man, as he led over 40 players and supporters to a celebratory Indian meal with the magnificent CISWO Trophy and the £1,000 winner’s cheque safely in his grasp.
"It’s a great start to a new season," he told 4BR. "We put in a lot of work for this one as we wanted to be up to contesting speed in what is a very important year for the band."
He added: "Tongwynlais once again showed that they are a real top class outfit, so to produce playing of this standard so early in the season is something I’m delighted with – and gives us a great foundation to work from as we aim for the Welsh Area."
Overall excellence
That overall excellence was certainly something picked up by adjudicator Chris Davis OBE, as he added at the end of his written remarks: "Quite exceptional programme – both in terms of choice and delivery. It was quite simply quality from beginning to end.... it’s how it should be done."
Despite not being able to deny their rivals their 11th Welsh Open title, Tongwynlais also left for home happy with their performance, as well as weighed down by silverware.
Fine 2013 for Ton
And Richard Evans later told 4BR that he believes that they are also destined to enjoy a fine 2013 too.
"What a great band," he said. "I really enjoyed working with them, and they certainly showed why I think they will be a real force this year, especially as they have players such as Gareth Hann in the ranks.
He was outstanding – brave and beautiful in his solo."
Steeping in to cover for regular principal cornet Vicki Kennedy, his melancholic interpretation of ‘Send in the Clowns’ was the centrepiece to a typical Richard Evans inspired set that opened with the fanfare from ‘Carmina Burana’, before segueing into the ‘swagger march’, ‘On the Quarter Deck’, the contrasting elements of ‘Spin through Moscow’ and the hymn tune ‘Melita’, with excerpts from ‘Francesca Da Rimini’ to close.
Spotlight return
A modest Gareth certainly revelled in his return to the soloist spotlight: "I enjoyed the challenge – but will be quite happy to return to regular duties for the Area," he laughed.
"It’s nice to know you can still enjoy the pressure every now and again though!"
Tylorstown dividends
For Gary Davies, MD of third placed Tylorstown, the lack of pressure on his band certainly paid dividends.
"We came to enjoy ourselves and perhaps claim a top six finish against the quality of the top section rivals today," he said.
"I was delighted at the way we played though – every player gave 100%. It’s a huge boost to our confidence as we look forward to Swansea."
12 year old Katie Hill also enjoyed her appearance too as she picked up the ‘Youngest Player’ Award.
Tylorstown’s ‘Magic Music’ theme featured ‘Harry Potter’ and ‘The Witch of the Westmorland’, ‘The Wizard’ march and the closing ‘The Enchanted Kingdom’ – all enhanced with inventive multi-media images, with euphonium player Angela Westacott showcasing her quality with a fine performance of Philip Sparke’s ‘Pantomime’.
Encouragement
With the Swansea contest a month away, there was encouragement for Burry Port in fourth, as the West Walians conducted by Nigel Seaman delivered an inventive set that segued musically between Burry Port and Nevada, Mexico to ancient Montenegro.
Meanwhile, the welcome English representatives of Staines Brass claimed fifth under Melvin White thanks to an eclectic mix that encompassed Norwegian funk to ‘My Fair Lady’ and American disaster storms.
Top section prep
There was further encouragement for City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) 1 as they showed that they are certainly prepared for their top section challenge ahead as they claimed sixth, courtesy of a well balanced set under MD Gareth Ritter.
They opened over six and half hours of brass band entertainment with a programme that featured thumping east coast American funk to Glenn Millar and even a touch of suave James Bond.
Champagne or Cava
Behind them, a number of bands will have left Porthcawl knowing that they will have to produce better form if they are to make an impression on an increasingly competitive Championship Section in Wales this year.
Despite bringing something of note out of each programme, Chris Davis told the audience that not all bands had the overall consistency in terms of quality programming and execution displayed by the two leading prize winners, whilst others chose programmes that didn’t quite appeal to his musical taste buds.
"I was looking for consistency today – and certainly got that from the two top bands," he said.
"Tredegar was outstanding – such quality playing, whilst Tongwynlais were also very good too. Others needed to work on it though – and appreciate what was a lively acoustic. Some were a bit harsh and bright, and some programmes didn’t quite work for me.
One man’s champagne is another man’s Cava – but that’s how entertainment contests can be at times."
Sex Bomb
Despite claiming the ‘Most Entertaining Stage Presentation’ Award, with a high impact set that started with Meatloaf and ended with MD David Maplestone and the band in Tom Jones ‘Sex Bomb’ mode – BTM could only end in seventh.
They will however have taken some comfort from the presentation of the Graham Rees Memorial Award & Bursary to their talented percussionist Omri Tau.
Happy Markham
Behind them came a happy Markham & District who took home £300 as the ‘Highest Placed First Section Band not in the Prizes’, as MD Gareth Pritchard led an intelligently planned set that enhanced their obvious strengths.
Meanwhile, Llwydcoed managed to repel the challenge of Lewis Merthyr and Abergavenny as all three rivals showed signs of encouraging form ahead of Swansea, whilst there was a wonderful performance from Second Section City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) 2 under Dewi Griffths to close the contest.
Notout of place
The band had gained their invitation to compete by winning the Welsh Open’s twin event, the Miner’s Eisteddfod last year.
With their MD making a breathless change of clothing from Tredegar stage jacket to suave black DJ, he lead his talented young band in a performance that was not out of place against much higher ranked rivals.
It rounded off another enjoyable and well run day at Porthcawl – aided by the excellent organisation of Philip Rogers and Rob Gowing and the warm welcome (and excellent facilities and presentation) of the Pavilion staff.
Iwan Fox
Quite exceptional programme – both in terms of choice and delivery. It was quite simply quality from beginning to end.... it’s how it should be doneChris Davis
Result:
Adjudicator: Chris Davis OBE
1. Tredegar (Ian Porthouse) — 198
2. Tongwynlais Temperance (Richard Evans) — 197
3. Tylorstown (Gary Davies) — 195
4. Burry Port (Nigel Seaman) — 194
5. Staines Brass (Melvin White) — 193
6. City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) 1 (Gareth Ritter) — 192
7. BTM (David Maplestone) — 190
8. Markham & District (Gareth Pritchard) — 188
9. Llwydcoed (Nigel Seaman) — 187
10. Lewis Merthyr (Gareth Pritchard) — 186
11. Abergavenny Borough (Craig Roberts) — 185
12. City of Cardiff (Melingriffth) 2 (Dewi Griffiths) — 184
Best Soloist: Gareth Hann (Tongwynlais Temperance)
Best Cornet: Gareth Hann (Tongwynlais Temperance)
Most Entertaining Stage Prsentation: BTM
Highest First Section Band not in prizes: Markham & District
Youngest Player: Katie Hill (12) (Tylorstown)
Graham Rees Memorial Award: Omri Tau (BTM)
