The popular North Wales Brass Band Association Solo & Ensemble Contest took place in Galeri, Caernarfon over the weekend with a fantastic entry of over 130 entries from eight competing bands.

It was an early start for adjudicators Helen Williams and Siôn Rhys Jones who travelled up from Cory Band, with the 'Under 10' and 'Under 12' categories providing a bumper number of entries. Thea Ormrod of Llandudno Town Band and Glwys Morus Williams of Seindorf Beaumaris were all smiles as they collected the first trophies of the day.

Bodes well

NWBBA Chair, Aled Williams told 4BR: "To start the contest with over 30 players under the age of 12 is fantastic and bodes well for banding in north Wales."

It was also a pleasant trip down memory lane for Siôn who's last visit to the contest saw him win the 'Under 18 Air Varie' category as a member of the Abergynolwyn Band in 2010.

Following in Siôn's footsteps a decade later in collecting the North Wales Association Cup was Ela Williams of Seindorf Deiniolen who also won the 'Open Duet' trophy alongside her father, Dylan.

Good day

It was a good day for the talented youngsters of Northop Brass as they took time out from rehearsing for the forthcoming Welsh Area Fourth Section contest in Swansea.

Their principal cornet player, Maya Jones, won the 'Slow Melody Under 18' category, whilst there was a double delight for cornet player Stephanie Jonas who won both the 'Slow Melody' and 'Air Varie' titles in the 'Under 14' category.

Glyn Porter was another youngster to take home an impressive haul of trophies, as Seindorf Deiniolen's young euph star won both the 'Slow Melody' and 'Air Varie' in the 'Under 16' categories before teaming up with cornet player, Morgan Gwyn Williams, to win the 'Under 18 Duet' title.

The 'Open Air Varie' was claimed by Bronwen Llinos of Seindorf Beaumaris before their new Musical Director, Bari Gwilliam (above), won the Open 'Slow Melody' category taking home the impressive Champion Sword having been crowned Champion Soloist of North Wales.

Band of the Day

The day came to a close with six very different and very entertaining ensembles competing for the Lixwm Cup, with the quartet from Northop Silver coming out on top.

It was a close run contest for the day's most successful band, but Seindorf Deiniolen managed to hang on to the Caernarfon Town Council Shield for the fourth successive year with Seindorf Beaumaris finishing just behind them.

To start the contest with over 30 players under the age of 12 is fantastic and bodes well for banding in north WalesNWBBA Chair, Aled Williams

Results:

Slow Melody Under 10:

1. Thea Ormrod (Llandudno)
2. Harri Morgan Bale (Deiniolen)
3. Catrin Gwilliam (Beaumaris)

Slow Melody Under 12:

1. Glwys Morus Williams (Beaumaris)
2. Macsen Wyn Stevens (Beaumaris)
3. Ifan Aled Evans (Deiniolen)

Tlws Iwan Williams Most promising Player: Amy Longmuir (Northop)

Slow Melody Under 14:

1. Stephanie Jonas (Northop)
2. George Hughes (Llandudno)
3. Elin Gwilliam (Beaumaris)

Slow Melody Under 16:

1. Glyn Porter (Deiniolen)
2. Elin Dafydd (Deiniolen)
3. Elis Masarelli-Hughes (Dyffryn Nantlle)

Tlws Eilir Most Promising Player: Cai Roberts (Beaumaris)

Slow Melody Under 18:

1. Maya Jones (Northop)
2. Ela Williams (Deiniolen)
3. Iwan Griffith (Deiniolen)

Duet Under 14:

1. Elin a Glwys (Beaumaris)
2. Sophie a Stephanie (Northop)
3 = Iestyn a Goronwy (Beaumaris)
3 = Eneas a Lleu (Beaumaris)

Duet Under 18:

1. Morgan a Glyn (Deiniolen)
2. Matthew a Jessica (Porthaethwy)
3. Anya a Siriol (Dyffryn Nantlle)

Duet Open:

1. Dylan ac Ela (Deiniolen)
2. Morgan a Bronwen (Beaumaris)
3. Rachel a Lois Angharad (Deiniolen)

Air Varie Under 14:

1. Stephanie Jonas (Northop)
2. Ifan Aled Evans (Deiniolen)
3. Catrin Mai (Deiniolen)

Air Varie Under 16:

1. Glyn Porter (Deiniolen)
2. Cynan Griffiths (Deiniolen)
3. Elin Dafydd (Deiniolen)

Air Varie Under 18:

1. Ela Williams (Deiniolen)
2. Morgan Gwyn Williams (Deiniolen)
3. Arwyn Edwards (Deiniolen)

Small Ensemble Under 18:

1. Elin, Llio, Cameron a Cïan (Beaumaris)

Small Ensemble Open:

1. Northop Quartet (Northop)
2. A Menai Bridge Too Far (Porthaethwy)
3. Grŵp Deiniolen (Deiniolen)

Air Vaire Open:

1. Bronwen Llinos (Beaumaris)

Slow Melody Open:

1. Bari Gwilliam (Beaumaris)
2. Bronwen Llinos (Beaumaris)
3. Urien Sion (Deiniolen)

Band of the Day:

1. Seindorf Arian Deiniolen
2. Seindorf Beaumaris
3. Northop Silver