There was an exciting day of contesting at Willows High School in Cardiff on the weekend to mark the final leg of the 2019 Welsh League series.
The South East Wales Brass Band Association's Autumn Festival Contest saw the destinations of the various titles decided, with close battles in each section.
Championship Section
In the Championship Section, a fine performance of the set-work, 'Between the Moon & Mexico' by Llwydcoed saw them take the honours on the day under Chris Turner.
The band's solid qualities were remarked upon by adjudicator Stan Lippeatt and emphasised as they also took home the awards the 'Best Bass Section' with Gareth Robinson claiming the 'Best Trombone' prize.
However, it was Ebbw Valley who clinched the overall Welsh League title to take possession of the magnificent Miners Gala Trophy for the first time, pipping Pontardulais in the process.
First Section
In the First Section there was a fine victory for regular cross border visitors A W Parker (Drybrook) as they secured the contest day victory with a exciting rendition of 'Trittico' under Joshua Ruck, although the overall League title and Ruby Protheroe Trophy had already been secured by Burry Port.
Second Section
There was delight for RAF St Athan Voluntary and conductor Alan Bourne in the Second Section as they claimed victory on the set-work, 'Oceans' ahead of Seindorf Arian Crwbin and Abertillery Town, although it was fourth placed Newport Borough who claimed the overall League honours and the T J Powell Trophy.
Third & Fourth Section
The clearest victory came in the Third Section as Taff Vale Brass scooped the honours playing 'Episodes for Brass'.
It saw the band round off a memorable debut season as Welsh League Champion under MD Gareth Ritter, whilst the Fourth Section saw joint champions in Ogmore and Gwaun Cae Gurwen who were the sole entrant on the day, but who still gave a colourful performance of 'Napoleon on the Alps'.
Youth Section
There was plenty of great playing on show from the bands in the Youth Section, as seven ensembles produced their 15 minute programmes much to the delight of the audience.
In the end there were Gold Awards presented to City of Cardiff Youth (M3) and Ebbw Valley Academy, with Silvers to Llwydcoed Juniors and Rhondda Fach and Bronze to City of Cardiff Beginners, Vale of Glamorgan Training Band and Newport Borough Training Band.
Talented young horn player Scarlett Norman won the 4BR 'Best Instrumentalist' trophy, with the 'Best Cornet' accolade going to Graham Middleton of Newport.
The Ev-entz Award for the 'Best Percussion' was won by City of Cardiff Youth, the Youngest Tuba Player trophy went to Annie Duque, with the 'Youngest Player' prize picked up by Sebastian Nader-Humphries aged 7 — both of Newport.
it was Ebbw Valley who clinched the overall Welsh League title to take possession of the magnificent Miners Gala Trophy for the first time, pipping Pontardulais in the process4BR.
Results:
Championship Section:
Test Piece: Between the Moon & Mexico (Philip Sparke)
Adjudicator: Stan Lippeatt
1. Llwydcoed (Christopher Turner)
2. Pontardulais (Paul Jenkins)
3. Tylorstown (Gary Davies)
4. Ebbw Valley (Gareth Ritter)
5. Markham (Matt Rowe)
Best Instrumentalist: Chris Jenkins (cornet) — Pontardulais
Best Bass Section: Llwydcoed
Best Trombone: Gareth Robinson (Llwydcoed)
First Section:
Test Piece: Trittico (James Curnow)
Adjudicator: Stan Lippeatt
1. A W Parker Drybrook (Joshua Ruck)
2. Abergavenny Borough (Sean O'Neil)
3. Briton Ferry (Jeff Pearce)
Best Instrumentalist: Andrew Jones (horn) — A W Parker Drybrook
Second Section:
Test Piece: Oceans (Goff Richards)
Adjudicator: Stan Lippeatt
1. RAF St Athan Voluntary (Alan Bourne)
2. Seindorf Arian Crwbin (Craig Roberts)
3. Abertillery Town (Joshua Ruck)
4. Newport Borough (Robin Hackett)
5. Penclawdd Brass (Tony Small)
Best Instrumentalist: Andy Watkins (soprano) — Abertillery Town
Best Trombone Section: Crwbin
Third Section:
Own Choice:
Adjudicator: John Maines
1. Taff Vale Brass (Gareth Ritter)
2. Cwmtawe Youth (Wayne Pedrick)
3. Usk (James Jones)
4. Severn Tunnel (Daniel Hall)
5. Ynyshir (Gary Davies)
6. Crosskeys Silver (Sion Rhys Jones)
7. Oakdale (Kerry Bowden)
Best Instrumentalist: Duncan Broadle (cornet) — Taff Vale Brass
Fourth Section:
Own Choice:
Adjudicator: John Maines
1. Gwaun Cae Gurwen (Robert Burnett)
Best Instrumentalist: Dafydd Lewis (euphonium) — Gwaun Cae Gurwen
Best Horn Section: Taff Vale Brass
Youngest Player in the Third & Fourth Section: Noah Davies (aged 8) — Ynyshir Band
Youth Section:
15 minute Entertainment Programme
Adjudicator: John Maines
Gold Award:
City of Cardiff Youth (M3) (Carol Flannery Davies)
Ebbw Valley Academy (Bethan Cooke)
Silver Award:
Llwydcoed Juniors (Richard Davies)
Rhondda Fach Youth (Angela Westacott)
Bronze Award:
City of Cardiff Beginners (M4) (Rebecca Cale)
Vale of Glamorgan Training Band (Ron Westacott)
Newport Borough Training Band (Hayley Giles)
Best Instrumentalist, Scarlett Norman (horn) — Ebbw Valley Academy
Best Cornet: Graham Middleton (Newport Borough Training Band)
Best Percussion: City of Cardiff Youth (M3)
Youngest Tuba Player: Annie Duque (aged 11) — Newport Borough Training Band
Youngest Player: Sebastian Nader-Humphries (aged 7) — Newport Borough Training Band
2018 Welsh League Champions 2018
Conductor of the Year: Gareth Ritter
Championship Section:
Champion Band: Ebbw Valley
Runner-up: Pontardulais
First Section:
Champion Band: Burry Port
Runner-up: Abergavenny Borough
Second Section:
Champion Band: Newport Borough
Runner-up: Seindorf Arian Crwbin
Third Section:
Champion Band: Taff Vale Brass
Runner-up: Crosskeys
Fourth Section:
Joint Champions: Ogmore & Gwaun Cae Gurwen
