With Wales enjoying such an impressive year in 2013, expectations for future success at all levels of competitive banding in the Principality are understandably high.

However, any sense of misplaced hubris should be tempered with a sharp dose of reality - as the severe budget cuts in local authority spending on ‘luxury’ services such as grass roots peripatetic musical tuition were both seen and heard first hand in this concert given by an ensemble that has performed through six decades of enlightened as well as abysmal political patronage.

Gold chain gang

And as much as the gold chain gang of dignitaries sat in the front row clapped away throughout what was an enjoyable afternoon, even they couldn’t ignore the evidence before them of a band that, due to short term accountancy priorities, is currently battling for survival.

Huge credit therefore goes to the Gwent Music Support Service (soon to suffer one of those meaningless local government re-branding exercises) headed by Alun F Williams and his team of hard working, dedicated staff and volunteers, who have managed to keep this vital musical organisation alive. 

Return to basics

As a result this was a concert that saw a return to brass banding basics - led with tremendous purpose and musical intelligence by MD Chris Turner. 

Although the repertoire was a times testing, the emphasis on good ensemble management, balance and tonality shone through - from the opening flourish of ‘Ad Astra’ and the march ‘Castell Coch’ to the upbeat vitality of ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ and the bold closers of ‘Riverdance’ and ‘Nightingale Dances’.

Contrast came with ‘All through the Night’, ‘Little Hymn’ and ‘The Smile’, whilst Lucy Pankhurst’s ‘Wired’ was a highly enjoyable rhythmic detour.  Owen Farr certainly enjoyed himself as he sprinkled a bit of stardust on proceedings, whilst Dave Hayward was an excellent compere. 

Purpose

It was evident that the MD had chosen each work for a purpose - all linking musically to the substantial contest centrepiece of Philip Sparke’s ‘Evolution’, which although still in construction mode ahead of their appearance at the National Youth Championships later this year, was played with impressive commitment. 

He will also have been delighted with the way his young band responded to his encouragement (especially in accompanying Owen Farr) with notable solo interventions all around the band showing burgeoning  maturity and the young ensemble growing in collective confidence. 

Impressive 

There are some impressive performers in the ranks – from the annual award winners of Tim Lewis, Cerys Head, Ross Dunn and Robert Spencer to the youngest section players – all keen to learn and develop as players.   

The afternoon was rounded off with the usual speeches having a bittersweet tinge too (the dignitaries sensibly kept schtum) – just spiky enough to remind them that applause and proclamations are no substitute for cash and commitment to keep a wonderful band like this going for six decades more.

Iwan Fox