Pennod 3 Band Cymru

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-From the length and breadth

-of Wales...

-..the entire country

-is represented on Band Cymru.

-Fittingly,

-we begin with the national anthem.

-Tonight's feast begins

-with the Beaumaris brass band.

-From the Rhondda Valley, resplendent

-in red, the Tylorstown Band.

-The Royal Welsh College

-of Music and Drama...

-..provides two bands

-for the semi-final.

-Tonight,

-their brass band hopes to shine.

-From the heart. Let the battle

-of the bands commence.

-Band Cymru,

-the only competition in the world...

-..where jazz, wind and brass bands

-share the same stage.

-Four sessions

-during a month of competition.

-The Cardiff Melingriffith Brass Band

-and BTM won their heats.

-The dreams of the remaining bands

-are still alive...

-..with the best band from each

-session progressing to the final...

-..in the Parc and Dare Theatre

-on May 22...

-..taking a step closer to the title

-Band Cymru 2016.

-It's time for more

-fierce competition...

-..as three more bands compete

-on Band Cymru.

-Welcome to the Arts Centre.

-A warm welcome

-to our international judges...

-..led by 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.

-In addition, we'll hear

-from our two unofficial judges...

-..the Valleys virtuoso

-Geraint Cynan...

-..and the terrific trumpeter,

-Branwen Gwyn.

-First up, the Royal Welsh College

-of Music and Drama brass band.

-While the students

-settle themselves in...

-..we'll head back to college.

-The Royal Welsh College

-of Music and Drama...

-..attracts some of the world's

-best students...

-..and offers opportunities

-to perform...

-..in bands and ensembles

-of the highest order.

-The brass band is no exception.

-The college brass band

-is a relatively new ensemble here.

-Up until 2005, it only opened

-its doors to orchestral instruments.

-In 2005,

-we started a brass band pathway...

-..and it's gone from strength

-to strength.

-You can study your instrument

-which we couldn't study before.

-To play in the brass band and study

-is a real appeal for the college.

-Robert Childs works us hard.

-Sometimes we have a joke

-in rehearsals.

-He can flip out a bit in rehearsals

-if you're on the wrong side of him.

-If you behave yourself,

-he's a really good guy.

-In terms of developing

-student skills...

-..competing on a stage like this,

-in front of TV cameras...

-..is a special challenge for them.

-I know the competition

-will have the highest standards.

-We're ready for the challenge

-and we want to succeed.

-We head to Aberystwyth

-to do our best and hopefully win.

-Our message to the others is...

-Our message to the others is...

-

-Watch out!

-The message is crystal clear.

-The students are ready

-to challenge the opposition.

-Here is the Royal Welsh College

-of Music and Drama brass band.

-The band begins

-with Softly Softly by Bridget Fry.

-It was written for the popular

-TV police drama Softly Softly...

-..from the 1960s.

-The title suggests a quiet piece

-but it's exciting and powerful.

-Next a duet for the euphonium -

-Brilliante by Peter Graham.

-It combines

-several well-known melodies...

-..including Rule Britannia

-and Men of Harlech.

-Our soloists are Grant Jameson

-and Matthew Fletcher.

-Next, Karl Jenkins' arrangement

-of the hymn Abide With Me.

-It's a wonderfully soft,

-lyrical piece...

-..and shows a very different side

-to the band.

-Our final piece is the finale

-from The Year of the Dragon...

-..by Philip Sparke.

-It's a technically challenging

-and powerful piece...

-..and one we truly enjoy performing.

-Another great experience, something

-that doesn't usually happen.

-I think it's wonderful that you're

-able to come along and do this.

-We're pleased

-you're doing what you're doing.

-Our unofficial judges

-have studied the students in action.

-This band had an unique energy.

-A lot of bands shine

-when they perform...

-..but not all perform as lyrically

-as this one did for Abide With Me.

-I thought it was a triumph.

-The ensemble and the individuals -

-it was a comprehensive performance.

-How important is having a band

-with such youthful exuberance?

-When I saw the name Royal Welsh

-College of Music and Drama...

-..I imagined a bunch of students

-performing only because they had to.

-I was wrong.

-That was an emotional journey.

-They did well to hold back the tears

-for Abide With Me.

-I smiled throughout the performance.

-They were fearless...

-..but their conductor

-was able to control them.

-He managed to keep everything

-on an even keel.

-Bob Childs is a maestro

-on the euphonium.

-How brilliant was Brilliante?

-Wow. Two great performers.

-It was as if the two instruments

-were communicating.

-Had one been out of time,

-it could have been disastrous...

-..but they were together

-at all times, they were incredible.

-A great start.

-A great start.

-

-Absolutely.

-An emotional journey -

-high praise indeed. How do you feel?

-We're very happy -

-we just wait and see now.

-A lot of praise for you.

-Happy with that?

-Yeah, very happy with it.

-Yeah, very happy with it.

-

-Good luck to you all.

-Congratulations.

-Beaumaris Brass Band are next.

-After the break,

-the islanders will perform.

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-Representing North-West Wales,

-the Beaumaris Band.

-The band was formed in 1921 in the

-ancient town of Beaumaris, Anglesey.

-In addition to contributing

-to local music life...

-..the band's successes

-have resounded across the world.

-The band split up during the 1980s.

-My father decided to visit

-local primary schools...

-..handing out letters encouraging

-youngsters to join a fledgling band.

-On the following Wednesday night,

-over 40 children...

-..wanted to start playing

-brass instruments.

-The band grew - we have

-a junior band now, for beginners.

-We have an intermediate band,

-a youth band, a senior band...

-..and we now have an LSW band,

-the Last of the Summer Wind!

-It's a break from life, isn't it?

-Some make more of a mess

-than others!

-We have a loft of fun together.

-I've performed at the

-Sage Gateshead, the Albert Hall...

-..and I've secured a place

-with the European Brass Band.

-I remember starting with the band

-and now I've joined the seniors.

-I'm helping nurture

-the next generation of performers.

-I think this band

-is good enough to go through.

-Oh-oh!

-Cut.

-From the cut in the hut

-to the Aberystwyth Arts Centre.

-Here's Gwyn Evans

-and the Beaumaris Band.

-Tonight's theme is a tribute

-to the greats of the jazz world.

-We begin with a notable piece

-for trumpeters...

-..Trumpet Blues and Cantabile

-by Harry James.

-Next, we move from the trumpeters

-to the guitarist...

-..Pat Matheny.

-This is a slow, melodic piece

-which gives us an opportunity...

-..to showcase the band's

-smooth, mature and peaceful side.

-Any tribute to the jazz world

-wouldn't be complete...

-..without a piece by the American

-big band composer Duke Ellington.

-It's an opportunity to hear

-lively Latin American rhythms.

-This piece is called Caravan.

-Our final piece comes from

-the modern jazz world.

-It's a well-known piece

-by the group Weather Report...

-..and renowned trumpeter Maynard

-Ferguson has a special arrangement.

-Maynard Ferguson was a trumpeter

-who mastered the very highest notes.

-Traditionally, you're a brass band.

-That wasn't

-a traditional performance.

-Our conductor has a love

-for both jazz and brass band music.

-It's a combination of everything

-the band loves.

-Barry, my former teacher.

-Barry, my former teacher.

-

-You make me feel old!

-Why didn't you teach me

-to play like you?

-You never listened to me.

-What a cheek!

-These two have swayed

-in their seats.

-Have Beaumaris shown that they

-are serious contenders tonight?

-They're a musical chameleon.

-Close your eyes and you could be

-in a rehearsal room in rural Wales.

-Then, a taste of big band music

-or New Orleans jazz.

-They made it look effortless.

-It set a very high bar in terms

-of the different playing techniques.

-Swing first - very comfortable.

-They then moved on

-to the world of jazz.

-It'll be interesting to hear

-the views of the experts behind us.

-From here, it was exhilarating.

-Birdland. I love that piece anyway.

-I drowned in it tonight

-and I mean that as a compliment.

-What a way to go,

-drowning to the sound of Birdland.

-This is no ordinary band -

-they're something else.

-Then there's Gwyn - he dances around

-and then plays with the band.

-I'm sure they all appreciate that.

-I'm glad Gwyn included a backline -

-the drummer was superb.

-A very big pat on his back.

-That made the set more colourful.

-I'd like to see

-more brass bands doing that.

-It allows you to go to places

-traditional brass bands don't go.

-I'd come back again and again

-to listen to that band.

-Geraint said he'd come back

-again and again.

-He smiled throughout the set.

-Great praise.

-It's a pity

-they're not the official judges.

-What was the best part for you?

-The success of creating

-jazz band music in a brass band.

-It's been our aim throughout our

-set and we succeeded in doing so.

-We'll show our love for the Valleys

-after the break...

-..when the Tylorstown Band

-rounds off the evening.

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-Since reforming after World War Two,

-Tylorstown Band...

-..have contributed greatly

-to the Rhondda's musical heritage.

-They've represented Maerdy coalmine

-and won the Welsh Championship.

-They have put the Valleys

-on the musical map.

-When we go out on stage

-and do well, we celebrate together.

-When we do not so well,

-we commiserate with each other.

-It's one of the best experiences

-I've had in 57 years of playing.

-You can't say a lot more than that,

-can you?

-Getting through the first time

-was a fantastic experience.

-You've done it the first time -

-is it going to happen again?

-We were rehearsing when we heard -

-we were on a break.

-We wanted to know

-who'd gone through.

-Tylorstown Band.

-Tylorstown Band.

-

-Great! Yeah, I was so happy.

-Gary Davies is our boss.

-He's a bit of a slave driver

-in rehearsals.

-Our preparation is quite intense.

-Rehearsals have gone from once or

-twice a week to two or three times.

-Even four times a week.

-If we win, for the community

-and us as a band...

-..winning would be truly superb.

-A message for the other bands?

-Don't turn up!

-Despite the warning, the other

-two bands are here tonight!

-The musicians of the Rhondda

-will try and raise the roof...

-..with their conductor, Gary Davies.

-Our theme tonight

-is space and the future.

-Into The Galaxies is an exciting

-piece about space exploration.

-There are a lot

-of supernatural sounds.

-It's a great way to start our set.

-We can't perform a set about space

-without a piece from Star Trek.

-The atmosphere transports the

-audience to the Starship Enterprise.

-The tempos create a picture of

-hurtling through space at speed...

-..even at warp speed.

-The Tylorstown Band will boldly go

-where no band has gone before!

-With space as our theme,

-we've included music...

-..from the radio adaptation

-of HG Wells' War of the Worlds.

-We ask the question - are we alone?

-The flugel solo from Forever Autumn

-is slow and quiet.

-It shows a different side

-to the band.

-It's a perfect piece

-for our soloist Kevin Jones.

-Our final piece, Fusion,

-starts quietly.

-It's an opportunity

-to look into space...

-..and focus

-on the important things in life.

-It builds to a great finale...

-..as we realise that space

-isn't such a peaceful place.

-The hard work is over

-for tonight's bands.

-The judges make their way out

-to deliberate and decide.

-Join us after the break.

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-Welcome back. I'm joined by

-the Tylorstown Band. How did it go?

-If the boss man is happy,

-we're happy.

-Happy?

-Happy?

-

-Happy.

-I heard you're a slave driver.

-How do you get the best out of them?

-We're a good band with good players.

-We all try and achieve the best.

-We seem to be able

-to get that out of them.

-I don't have to slave drive at all!

-They come to the band room

-and we do the best that we can.

-They've done excellently today.

-The Tylorstown Band

-round off another evening.

-A good end to this semi-final?

-They're great ambassadors...

-..to one of the best valleys,

-if not the best, in Wales!

-Please remain impartial!

-Please remain impartial!

-

-They're a traditional brass band.

-They didn't excite me

-as much as that.

-I liked the finale - it was

-the only time they really let loose.

-The dynamic was very effective.

-They produced a wonderful sound.

-The soloist, Kevin,

-was as cool as a cucumber.

-There was no sign of stress on

-his face. He performed brilliantly.

-For me, there wasn't enough variety

-within their set.

-I don't know if they

-pushed themselves enough...

-..in terms of combining upbeat

-pieces with reflective pieces.

-They played wonderfully well.

-I liked the ensemble performances...

-..and there were some

-very nice touches.

-I enjoyed their performance

-but this is Band Cymru...

-..it's not a brass band competition.

-Some of the bands we've already seen

-have been able to offer us...

-..something different

-to what we heard from Tylorstown.

-It was a comfortable

-but not an exciting performance.

-It felt exciting on stage

-but there we go.

-I think our programme is Marmite -

-you like it or don't like it.

-Let's hope the adjudicators like it.

-Happy with

-the cool as a cucumber comment?

-A great comment.

-Thank you very much.

-There's great anticipation

-in the Arts Centre.

-Everyone is waiting

-for the all-important decision.

-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.

-It was a really close call. All

-three of us struggled with this one.

-The band that won demonstrated

-total cohesion and togetherness.

-They wrung every emotion out of it

-that they could.

-They gave the most cohesive

-performance, top to bottom.

-The balance of the programme

-was just wonderful.

-When you have something on such a

-high level, you have to reward it...

-..with the top.

-It oozed maturity and performance.

-I, for one, felt like I was wrapped

-in a blanket of musical loveliness.

-This great hall

-is ready for the result.

-Are our unofficial judges ready

-to put their heads on the block?

-Is there an obvious winner?

-I can't split the top two bands...

-..the Royal Welsh College

-of Music and Drama and Beaumaris.

-If you pushed me

-to make a decision...

-..I would say Beaumaris.

-Do you agree, Branwen?

-Are Beaumaris out in front?

-For making my toe tap and making me

-smile like a Cheshire cat...

-..it's Beaumaris for me.

-I don't know

-if the judges agree with me.

-Who is tonight's winner?

-The three judges are on stage.

-There are three representatives

-from the bands.

-Over to Graham Jones

-for the decision.

-Tonight's winner is...

-..the Royal Welsh College

-of Music and Drama.

-Congratulations.

-A special performance

-by a very special young band...

-..against some

-very experienced bands.

-We're a very happy band.

-We feel very happy.

-We're happy to be here

-and happy to win.

-A step closer to 10,000.

-Maybe so - who knows?

-Congratulations to the Royal

-Welsh College of Music and Drama.

-The adjudication and performances

-are on S4C's website.

-For now, from Aberystwyth, cheerio.

-S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.

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