The Lewis-Merthyr Band is due to undertake their first major engagement under new Musical Director Craig Roberts — and it will be in front of one heck of a partisan audience.

Final preparation

The band will perform alongside a 150 strong massed mixed choir at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff and home of Welsh international rugby, as the pre-match entertainment to the home nation's final preparation game before the World Cup.

WRU Director of Music Dr Haydn James invited the band to provide the musical aperitif before the Welsh team take on Italy with a selection of pieces and anthems arranged for the occasion by Major Denis Burton, Director of Music of the Band of the Royal Welsh.

The band will perform alongside a 150 strong massed mixed choir at the Millennium Stadium as the pre-match entertainment to the home nation's final preparation game before the World Cup4BR

Fantastic honour

Lewis-Merthyr Chairman Paul Williams told 4BR: "It's a fantastic honour for the band and a real thrill for the players.

We have really turned a corner in recent weeks and this landmark performance marks the start of an exciting new chapter in our history with further exciting projects to follow over the coming months."