There will be a new arrival on the Welsh banding scene in 2018 with the news that a competitive ensemble has been created near Cardiff.

Under the helm of well known conductor Gareth Ritter, Taff Vale Brass is preparing for their debut Christmas concert this week before starting work towards hopefully making their debut at the Welsh Regional Contest in Swansea next March.

Enthusiasm and experience

Band Manager Dafydd Parri told 4BR that he hopes that a combination of youth and experience will help the band to success. "It's been great to see the enthusiasm and passion of the new players.

We believed there was a need for a new band to be created that met the needs of a wide mix of players in the area, and we think we have achieved that with Taff Vale Brass.

In Gareth we have a star conductor, so we believe this to be the start of a successful journey. The band has already enjoyed a number of excellent rehearsals, with just two seats to be filledDafydd Oarri

Star conductor

He added; "In Gareth we have a star conductor, so we believe this to be the start of a successful journey. The band has already enjoyed a number of excellent rehearsals, with just two seats to be filled."