New: Band Cymru Band Cymru

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-# Ar Lan Y Mor #

-From its inauguration in the

-South Wales valleys two years ago...

-..this year's semi-finals

-are held in Aberystwyth.

-As tuneful as Morgan is...

-..it was The Cory Band,

-the world's premier brass band...

-..that reigned supreme

-at the Park and Dare.

-# Myfanwy #

-"Wow" is the only adjective

-which springs to mind.

-According to the rules, the current

-champions can't compete this year.

-The Cory Band must take a break.

-12 other bands will compete,

-each hungry for the title...

-..and this exceptional trophy.

-Welcome to Band Cymru.

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-Band Cymru,

-the only competition in the world...

-..where jazz, wind and brass bands

-share the same stage.

-Reaching Aberystwyth

-has taken considerable effort.

-Auditions

-were held throughout Wales.

-Unnamed discs were sent to acclaimed

-yet anonymous judges to be marked.

-An impartial system in which

-past successes account for nothing.

-For me, it's spirit.

-For me, it's spirit.

-

-That magic moment of musicality.

-The ability to make

-goose bumps appear on one's arm.

-The one that wins will be the one

-that stirs my emotions.

-More than 500 instrumentalists...

-..have already been disappointed.

-The dreams of hundreds more

-are still alive.

-In four live sessions, four

-heroic bands will be selected...

-..to go through to the grand final

-at the Park and Dare next month.

-Which of these

-will scale the heights...

-..and win prize money of 10,000

-as well as this exceptional trophy?

-The Band Cymru 2016 trophy.

-Here at Aberystwyth Arts Centre, on

-the first night of competitions...

-..is the Tredegar Town Band...

-..who are ranked fifth in the world.

-You're first to perform,

-so off you go.

-Also in the top 50 are

-my old friends, Northop Silver Band.

-Are you ready? Good luck.

-Last to perform tonight is City

-of Cardiff Melingriffith Brass Band.

-Each of these bands is hoping

-to lift this unique trophy.

-Good luck to them all.

-Sound the trumpets,

-the competition is about to start.

-Welcome to Aberystwyth Arts Centre.

-And welcome

-to our international judges.

-Conductor, composer

-and outstanding jazz trumpeter...

-..all the way from New York,

-Jon Faddis.

-Welshman,

-Lt Colonel Dr Graham Jones...

-..has enjoyed a glittering career

-in military music...

-..and now travels the world

-as a conductor.

-Colin Sheen is one of Britain's

-most accomplished trombonists.

-He's shone on the classical stage as

-well as numerous movie soundtracks.

-Also here to listen to

-every quaver, crotchet and minim...

-..are our two unofficial judges...

-..Branwen Gwyn and Geraint Cynan.

-We'll hear plenty from them

-throughout the competition.

-First to the stage

-is the Tredegar Town Band.

-Wales' recent regional champions

-have quite a history.

-The Blaenau Gwent valleys are home

-to giants of the brass band world.

-As former British champions and one

-of the world's best brass bands...

-..the Tredegar Town Band

-has claimed its place on the map...

-..since its formation in 1849...

-..to celebrate the opening of a mill

-for the Tredegar Iron and Coal Co.

-There's a cross-section of people

-in the band.

-We're all friends,

-and that's what counts.

-Being part of a band is like

-being a part of a big family.

-Sit in a band room, have a laugh,

-meet some great people.

-We're willing to go

-that extra mile...

-..while other bands

-might think we're a bit crazy.

-But we like it, we take on unusual

-projects and really go for it.

-I've fond memories

-of the competition two years ago...

-..though we were disappointed

-that we didn't win first prize.

-The feedback we had

-from the public...

-..was that the band sounded great

-and they enjoyed it.

-Having people enjoy our performances

-is what's important to us.

-Ian's a great conductor. Great guy.

-Really nice, puts in a lot of work.

-He knows how to work the band...

-..but we can also

-have a laugh with him.

-Every time we compete,

-we want to win.

-No-one ever aims for second

-or third place. Winning is our goal.

-I hope the bands are practising

-really hard because we really are!

-They work hard and play hard.

-They face the daunting task

-of opening the competition.

-Here they are

-with their conductor, Ian Porthouse.

-The Tredegar Town Band.

-We're opening our programme

-with Blackbird Special...

-..by the Dirty Dozen from America.

-They're not a traditional brass band

-but they play lively and fun music.

-Our second piece is Folk Festival

-by Dmitri Shostakovich.

-The music featured in the film,

-The Gadfly, back in the 1950s.

-Next we're showcasing the talent of

-our euphonium player, Matthew White.

-He'll play the final movement

-of a concerto by Philip Sparke.

-Blue Heart is different

-from traditional concertos.

-I hope everyone enjoys it.

-We end with an anthology

-of Welsh songs by Matthew Hall...

-..called Legends of Cyfarthfa.

-He's arranged numerous melodies...

-..including Aberystwyth,

-Men of Harlech and many more.

-The band loves it.

-There was a lot of moving around.

-It was quite a show.

-It was quite a show.

-

-Since it's for television...

-..and so that

-the judges can see us...

-..I think it's important

-we put on a show...

-..instead of just sitting down.

-That was amazing. You definitely set

-the standard. How was it for you?

-It was fantastic.

-They did exactly as I asked.

-I hope

-it's what judges are looking for.

-Here are the unofficial judges.

-Here are the unofficial judges.

-

-Tredegar Town Band is world class.

-How obvious was that tonight?

-How obvious was that tonight?

-

-They're tight, disciplined.

-They're technical

-and they're also musical.

-Despite their professionalism,

-they haven't lost the humour.

-They're prepared to go

-the extra mile to put on a show.

-That's certainly what we had.

-All the different sections

-work so well together.

-The sound they produce...

-..at the beginning

-and end of each interpretation...

-..we have the best seats

-in the house here.

-We have the best job because we can

-sit back and enjoy the performance.

-There was emotion, excitement.

-I loved the selection

-of Welsh melodies.

-You heard something different

-in every other bar.

-Each instrumentalist

-showed great technique.

-A very praiseworthy performance.

-The other bands will have to reach

-a very high standard to beat them.

-Professional, technical,

-lots of humour.

-They were smiling throughout.

-What did you make of that?

-Fantastic. We can't ask for more.

-If the unofficial judges enjoyed it,

-then it bodes well.

-Have you done enough to win?

-Have you done enough to win?

-

-Yes!

-Northop Silver Band

-is next on stage.

-The band from northeast Wales will

-hit the first note after the break.

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-Representing northeast Wales

-is the Northop Silver Band.

-A group of friends established the

-band 120 years ago at the local pub.

-That camaraderie

-is as strong as ever.

-We're like a family.

-We see each other twice a week.

-More, if there's a competition.

-Aled is my partner. Gerallt

-and Steph met through the band.

-We see each other

-more than we see our own families!

-It's a village band and the band

-is important to the village.

-It's brought the community together.

-The school coaches the children and

-they come through the band system.

-That's why

-the band has been so successful.

-It's like playing for a football

-team. You all turn up for practice.

-You have a match on Saturday.

-If a rehearsal doesn't go well,

-the conductor loses his temper...

-..and then everyone thinks,

-"come on" and we improve.

-When I heard we were through...

-..and saw which other bands

-were competing against us...

-..I thought it was nice

-that we're branching out...

-..and competing

-against jazz bands and wind bands.

-Competing against different genres

-is great.

-It gets us

-out of our comfort zone...

-..when we're up against

-different types of music.

-This is a chance for the community

-and the public to see...

-..what brass bands can do.

-The best part is performing

-and enjoying the music.

-Hopefully everyone else

-will enjoy too.

-Good luck to Northop in Aberystwyth.

-They were formed at the local pub.

-If they win tonight,

-they'll be back at the bar!

-Conducted by Andrew Berryman,

-this is Northop Silver Band.

-The band will play the overture from

-Rienzi, der Letzte der Tribunen...

-..an opera by Wagner.

-It's a dramatic piece to open with.

-The band loves performing it.

-The next piece

-is Llanrwst by Gareth Glyn.

-This is

-my brass band arrangement of it.

-It's a lovely piece which showcases

-the band's lyrical side.

-I'm pleased

-the band chose this piece.

-# And no summer

-did through the keyhole thrust

-# Without my feeling grateful

-# As well I must

-# Remembering the lake

-# 'Twixt Geirionnydd and town

-# With the gold of the sunlight

-# Pouring down

-# Hills now part me

-from my old township grey

-# As the first fruit of summer

-cluster and sway

-# The bridge

-is bathing its feet in the streams

-# And young lovers still cross it

-# Lost in dreams #

-The last piece is A Short Ride

-in a Brass Machine by Andrew Baker.

-It's in the style of the Hollywood

-big tune, full of lively rhythms.

-You have a relieved look

-on your faces.

-Yes, it's a relief

-after all the hard work.

-I'm glad to have it over with...

-..but it'd be nice

-to do it all over again!

-You were criticised for being

-too traditional last time.

-We've tried to branch out

-a little this time...

-..and play things

-a little more off-the-wall.

-We think we're a very good contrast

-to what the first band played.

-I see that as a good thing.

-I see that as a good thing.

-

-That was Northop Silver Band.

-What did you make

-of their performance?

-Starting with the Rienzi was unwise

-because it's very hard.

-They were brave to start with that

-because it's a precarious one.

-Once they got into it,

-you felt the splendour of the sound.

-Once they hit the main melody,

-they got into their stride...

-..and you felt as though

-they'd almost embraced the piece.

-I didn't know

-if adding a vocalist would work...

-..but it was a lovely arrangement

-by Lois Eifion...

-..with Robyn Lyn's dulcet tones

-and the band's accompaniment.

-I thought it worked really well.

-They finished on a high with

-A Short Ride in a Brass Machine.

-It's a wonderful piece

-for this band. It suited them.

-They took every chance and gave us

-a praiseworthy performance.

-Fair comments.

-We're here to listen to them.

-We enjoyed it,

-and that's what counts.

-We're going to the pub, regardless.

-We're going, full stop!

-You deserve to celebrate.

-Good luck to you all

-and congratulations.

-The City of Cardiff Melingriffith

-Brass Band is aiming to win.

-We'll find out

-how they fare after the break.

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-With its origins

-dating all the way back to 1798...

-..the City of Cardiff

-Melingriffith Brass Band...

-..is regarded

-as Cardiff's oldest band.

-It's one of the country's

-most successful bands.

-The sound

-is just as rich as its history.

-We're unique because we're

-the only British institution...

-..with five brass bands.

-Two youth bands, two competitive

-bands and one community band.

-We have two youth bands

-which will hopefully go on to M2...

-..which is the second band

-and then into the main band, M1.

-All the bands help each other out.

-We hold concerts and

-sing carols together at Christmas.

-There are

-friendly people in the bands.

-The community

-is as important as the music.

-There are quite a few characters,

-especially the trombonists.

-The band brings a lot of different

-people together. It's a great mix.

-It's a lot of fun but you

-get to play wonderful music too.

-We play to a high standard, which

-gives us a lot of satisfaction.

-Our best accolade was winning first

-prize at the National Eisteddfod...

-..in the Vale of Glamorgan

-because we won on home turf.

-We're pleased to be competing

-in Band Cymru. We've worked hard.

-We're very much

-looking forward to it.

-We've nothing to fear.

-We'll do our best.

-The brass band world

-is a very small one.

-I've a lot of respect for them all

-because the standard is so high.

-But we don't fear them!

-But we don't fear them!

-

-We're aiming to win.

-I just want to go there and win.

-We're hoping to give you

-a good show. Who's going to win?

-Melingriffith!

-There's a rich history

-to Wales' oldest band.

-But will they soon be

-10,000 richer?

-Conducted by Nigel Seaman, this is

-City of Cardiff Melingriffith.

-We're opening

-with a piece called The Smile...

-..by a young composer

-called Matthew Hall.

-He wrote it

-in memory of his grandfather.

-He makes references to

-his grandfather's favourite hymns...

-..the sounds he heard

-from his time in the army...

-..and the chiming

-of the church bell.

-Next is a horn solo.

-When You Wish Upon A Star

-from the famous cartoon, Pinocchio.

-It's an opportunity

-for soloist Lowenna Taylor...

-..to showcase her talent.

-The arrangement

-is a little different too.

-The next piece is called Madrigalen.

-Though it begins in a madrigal style

-from the 16th century...

-..it develops to become

-a much more modern and lively piece.

-# Mary-Ann has hurt her finger

-# And David the servant

-is unwell... #

-The band will finish with the

-traditional Welsh song, Sosban Fach.

-The song starts off a little

-differently, with a twist...

-..but the piece builds to a more

-contemporary and lively ending.

-The last piece was technical.

-Yes, we were playing

-across each other.

-There were a few contrasts

-here and there. It was difficult.

-What was going through your mind

-on stage?

-I was trying to remember all the

-notes because I did it from memory.

-It went to plan, so good!

-Your thoughts, Branwen?

-I enjoyed Sosban Fach.

-It's a well-known arrangement

-within the brass band world.

-I liked the fact they put their own

-twist on it by singing at the start.

-It made you sit up and take note.

-It made you sit up and take note.

-

-It's a band full of characters too.

-I felt we were getting

-Nigel Seaman's style as a conductor.

-I love hearing that.

-There's a very comfortable honesty

-about the way he trains bands.

-Their powerful sound

-was rounded and rich.

-It really hit you.

-It was lovely

-hearing a very delicate ensemble.

-The articulations were good. Every

-staccato note was short and sharp.

-The horn soloist

-played When You Wish Upon A Star.

-Did she give a star performance?

-Did she give a star performance?

-

-It was wonderful. She's very young.

-She certainly shone.

-A lot of praise

-for your style there.

-You obviously work well together.

-You obviously work well together.

-

-I'm enjoying working with them...

-..as the commentator said.

-It's a band which is

-working very hard to improve.

-This competition is something

-we've aimed to play well at.

-That's it, the three bands

-have done their best.

-The three judges leave the

-Great Hall to make their decision.

-The four best bands

-will go through to the final.

-Join us after the break

-for the result.

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-The bands are on tenterhooks,

-waiting for the result...

-..which is in the hands

-of the three international judges.

-Colin Sheen has bridged the gap...

-..between the classical world

-and the big bands.

-The main trombonist with Don Lusher

-and the English Chamber Orchestra.

-He's recorded

-with Paul McCartney and Pavarotti...

-..and played on the Harry Potter,

-Batman and James Bond soundtracks.

-After a career

-as a Royal Military band leader...

-..Dr Graham Jones retired to focus

-on his career as a conductor.

-He was responsible for the music

-at Trooping the Colour...

-..and the Remembrance Sunday Tattoo.

-He's also conducting

-the official celebration...

-..of the Queen's 90th birthday.

-American Jon Faddis is regarded as

-one of the greats of the jazz world.

-"He is the best ever,

-including me..."

-..which is what

-Dizzy Gillespie said about him.

-He's performed

-with Duke Ellington and Count Basie.

-As an instrumentalist, he emulates

-Louis Armstrong and Miles Davis...

-..whilst creating

-his own unique style.

-The band that won it for me

-did it on musicality.

-They affected my emotions with

-their playing. That's what counts.

-They played

-with better dynamics, intonation...

-..phrasing.

-And that's why that band won.

-I love the ebb and flow and the

-shape and structure of performance.

-Absolutely top notch. Well done.

-Before we hear the result, what did

-our unofficial judges think?

-Geraint?

-Geraint?

-

-I enjoyed each of them...

-..for different reasons.

-They gave us variety

-and different interpretations.

-However, I really think

-Tredegar Town Band...

-..is very high on the list.

-Your favourites, Branwen?

-Your favourites, Branwen?

-

-I agree with Geraint...

-..for their dynamism,

-professionalism and precision.

-Let's see if you're right.

-Dr Graham Jones,

-may we please have the result?

-And the winner is...

-..Melingriffith!

-Congratulations.

-City of Cardiff Melingriffith

-and conductor, Nigel Seaman.

-They are delighted. You must be

-very delighted as a conductor.

-Very delighted and surprised.

-Really?

-Really?

-

-We were up against very good bands.

-For us to just get that little edge,

-absolutely amazing.

-And another step closer

-towards winning 10,000.

-Marvellous. We'll have to try really

-hard to keep ahead of the game.

-Congratulations, Nigel Seaman...

-..and City of Cardiff

-Melingriffith Brass Band.

-And that's it for tonight.

-The performances and adjudications

-are available on the website.

-Goodbye to you all from Aberystwyth.

-S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.

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