*
banner

Valentin day for Tredegar at Open

Tredegar announces player changes ahead of their British Open challenge at Symphony Hall.

Tredeagr
  Tredegar's last concert performance was at the Proms (image: Chris Christodoulou)

Fresh from their performances at this year's Proms, Tredegar will head to Symphony Hall looking to add a third British Open title to its CV under Musical Director Ian Porthouse.

Player changes

With their Taiwanese euphonium player Yu-Han Yang returning home following his acclaimed solo performance at their Royal Albert Hall 'Late Prom' show, the band will be joined Valentin Duc from Swiss champion Valaisia for the contest.

Meanwhile, Jack Lythaby moves up from first to solo horn, swapping places with Paul Bennett for the contest.

It is the latest reward for the RWCM&D graduate after he was part of the Vulcan Brass quartet that recently won the 'Launchpad Award' as part of the June Emerson Wind Music Awards, alongside colleagues Jack Hoof, Owain Iestyn and Josh Dickens.

Popular player



Speaking to 4BR, MD Ian Porthouse said: "We were sad to say goodbye to Yu-Han and his wife Hannah. He has been such a popular player with the band, and it was fitting that he was able to sign off with such a memorable performance at the Proms.

He now has an exciting future ahead in Taiwan, and we are sure he is going to become a superstar performer in the country, whilst we give Valentin a warm welcome to fill in for the contest."

The Proms was brilliant, but now it's down to the other part of what banding is all aboutIan Porthouse

Progress

He added: "Jack has worked closely with Paul over the last six months and so this is reward for his excellent progress. Paul's mentoring continues to be essential to us and has shown the team ethic we have in the band with all the players.

The Proms was brilliant, but now it's down to the other part of what banding is all about."

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


British Open

Result: 2026 Spring Festival — Senior Cup

May 2 • Kirkintilloch claims the Senior Cup honours as Rainford, Tongwynlais Temperance and East London Brass join them in the Grand Shield in 2027.


2026 Spring Festival

Result: 2026 Spring Festival — Senior Trophy

May 2 • Sandhurst Silver claims the Senior Trophy honours as Sovereign Brass, Unite Scotland Kinneil and Yorkshire Imperial are also promoted to the Senior Cup.


Fleetwood

Fleetwood back on demand

May 1 • You can enjoy all 32 performances from the recent Fleetwood Contest on demand


British Open

Live stream broadcast from Spring Festival

May 1 • All the action from the 104th British Open Spring Festival is to be live-stream broadcast this weekend.


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 3 May • St Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street SE10 9BJ


Regent Hall Concerts - FiveBy5 Trumpet Quintet

Tuesday 5 May • Charlton House and Gardens. Charlton Road, . London. . SE7 8RE


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 8 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Wardle Anderson Brass Band - Wardle Junior Blast

Friday 8 May • Milnrow Parish Church, 16 Westward Ho, Milnrow, Rochdale OL16 3JX


Regent Brass - Woodbridge Excelsior Band and Russell Gray

Saturday 9 May • The Salvation Army (Regent Hall), Oxford Street, London W1C 2DJ


Wellington Silver Band (Somerset)

May 2 • Bb Basses. With Colin Dance now appointed as our MD and our other Bb Bass leaving due to work commitments, we have openings for two Bb basses. We are a friendly community (4th section?) band with a variety of gigs including our own Proms in the Park.


Wellington Silver Band (Somerset)

May 2 • Tuned Percussionist. We are looking for a tuned percussionist to join our friendly community (4th section?) band. We have a variety of gigs including our own Proms in the park, charity concerts, fetes, (maybe contesting). Other brass players welcome.


Tintwistle Band

April 28 • Tintwistle Band are looking for a Soprano and front row cornet players to help complete our team.. We rehearse Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our own bandroom on Old Road in Tintwistle, and perform a variety of concerts all year round.


Jason M Smith


Band Trainer (Contest Preparation), Conductor


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd