Pennod 4 Band Cymru

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-I thought the choirs were noisy,

-Morgan, but, wow!

-These bands like winning!

-Melingriffith!

-BTM!

-Royal Welsh College

-of Music and Drama!

-Three formidable heats

-have taken place...

-..with wave after wave of musicians,

-and three bands remain.

-Aberystwyth has been rocked

-to its foundations.

-By the end of tonight's programme

-we'll know which four bands...

-..are in the final

-at the Park and Dare...

-..and a step closer

-to winning this coveted trophy.

-Welcome to Band Cymru 2016.

-Subtitles

-# Calon Lan #

-Once again,

-we have two brass bands tonight.

-Tongwynlais and Llwydcoed.

-Bringing some gravitas

-to the competition...

-..are the competition's

-only wind band - Chamber Winds.

-If you're enchanted by brass bands,

-you're certainly in the right place.

-Seated

-are the three international judges.

-The conductor, composer

-and incredible jazz trumpeter...

-..all the way from New York,

-Jon Faddis.

-The Welshman, Lieutenant Colonel

-Dr Graham Jones...

-..a doyen

-of the military music scene...

-..now travels the world

-as a conductor.

-And Colin Sheen, one of Britain's

-most versatile trombonists...

-..has shone on the classical stage

-and on Hollywood soundtracks.

-Also here with their fine tooth

-combs are the unofficial judges.

-The prolific composer,

-Geraint Cynan...

-..and the gifted trombonist,

-Branwen Gwyn.

-The first band on stage

-is Tongwynlais Temperance Band.

-Here's a little background on them.

-Tongwynlais Temperance Band

-was formed in 1888...

-..by an enthusiastic bunch

-who offered locals an alternative...

-..to frequenting

-the seven local pubs.

-It's one of the world's

-top 30 bands.

-The band

-is still doing remarkably well.

-The band likes to work hard...

-..and likes to have fun

-once the hard work is over.

-We have fun, regardless if it's

-the right or wrong outcome for us.

-It's like having a second family.

-It's somewhere to chill out.

-Obviously not chill out! Sometimes

-we do when we're not competing.

-When we heard

-we'd made it through...

-..we said things

-we can't say on TV!

-We were chuffed as a band

-that we'd succeeded twice in a row.

-The fact it's on live television

-adds a whole new pressure to it.

-It's exciting.

-It's exciting.

-

-If we were to win...

-..it'd mean the world to the players

-and the local community.

-Fingers crossed.

-Fingers crossed.

-

-The brass band community is small...

-..so if we won, the people of

-Tongwynlais would feel very proud.

-What's your message to the others?

-I hope you play well

-but I hope we play better!

-They're certainly

-ready to perform with pride.

-Led by Christopher Bond,

-this is Tongwynlais Temperance band.

-Our programme's theme

-is the universe...

-..and the world beyond the Earth.

-We're opening with Enter

-The Galaxies by Paul Lovatt-Cooper.

-It's a very accessible piece.

-It's an opportunity for all band

-members to show how good they are.

-The band will play an

-original arrangement by Dan Hall...

-..a member of our band.

-Dan has given a classic piece

-by Debussy a new twist.

-The band enjoys

-playing members' arrangements.

-Next, our soloist, Matt Rowe,

-takes centre stage.

-The piece, from the Stratos opus

-by new composer Jonny Bates...

-..is a euphonium concerto.

-The last movement,

-the Dance of the Spiral Galaxies...

-..showcases Matt's talent

-as a euphonium soloist.

-The band ends with

-another original piece...

-..written by Chris Bond,

-our conductor this evening.

-It's a very powerful piece which

-showcases the flugelhorn players...

-..and the soprano cornet players'

-talent.

-We hope the audience enjoys our

-programme, especially our finale.

-How did it go?

-How did it go?

-

-Excellent.

-Matt's solo was good

-and we were conducted well too.

-A good arrangement by Dan.

-I'm proud to be a member

-of such a talented band.

-I don't know

-if our judges are teetotal...

-..but did you get a buzz

-from the Temperance band, Geraint?

-A great band.

-The sound was very tight.

-They have an exciting sound.

-It really hits you here

-when they really open up.

-The power the band produces...

-..is phenomenal.

-I'd have liked to have heard

-a more temperate sound.

-Putting together a programme for

-a competition is very different...

-..from a concert programme.

-I liked the fact they had a theme -

-an otherworldly theme, as it were.

-We got so much out of them.

-They were very technical...

-..and each section had a chance

-to shine in some of the pieces.

-I'd like to give Matt Rowe

-a big thumb's up.

-If he's getting paid per note,

-he doesn't need to win the lottery!

-He put everything

-into that performance.

-He sweated streams for his band!

-He was incredible,

-and very technical.

-The conductor looked after them too.

-He's obviously a talented young man.

-Not only does he conduct,

-he composed one of the pieces too.

-He obviously knew the band well.

-They've obviously spent

-a lot of time together rehearsing...

-..perfecting the pieces.

-They made me very happy.

-What do you make of that praise?

-What do you make of that praise?

-

-It's very reassuring to hear.

-Put a lot of time

-into the performance...

-..and working with the band.

-I'm pleased

-they thought that came across.

-We deserve the judges' praise.

-We're a fantastic band.

-We're preparing for a classic

-performance at Aberystwyth.

-Chamber Winds will take

-your breath away after the break.

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-Representing wind instruments...

-..is the Royal Welsh College

-of Music and Drama ensemble.

-It was formed in 2000...

-..and under

-Meurig Alexander's tutelage...

-..the band has performed in grand

-venues around Wales and beyond.

-People come from

-England, Scotland, even Poland...

-..to play music.

-That's what brings us together.

-This place is a training ground

-for professional musicians.

-I work very hard with them,

-making sure the balance is good.

-They're senior players

-because they've become good at it.

-We're the only wind band

-in the competition.

-I hope we appeal to the judges.

-Band Cymru two years ago

-was a great experience for us...

-..when we went to

-the Park and Dare Theatre...

-..and they saw the bands

-turning up in uniform.

-Their eyes were like saucers...

-..as they saw these people come in.

-It was obvious they meant business.

-It was obvious they meant business.

-

-We thoroughly enjoyed it.

-I hope we enjoy it again.

-We want to win, but the most

-important thing is to enjoy it.

-I think people

-would consider a wind ensemble...

-..to be underdogs.

-Don't underestimate us on the day!

-Chamber Winds are ready to put on

-a performance for Band Cymru...

-..conducted by Meurig Alexander.

-Our first piece is Rondo in A

-by Brahms, arranged by Derek Smith.

-We're a classical ensemble...

-..so we've chosen a piece by one of

-the greatest composers of all time.

-Our next piece

-is from the Baroque era.

-Brandenburg Concerto No.2

-by JS Bach.

-We're adding our own twist by using

-a saxophone instead of a trumpet.

-Though we're a classical ensemble,

-we want to show our fun side too.

-Our final piece

-requires a bit of swing.

-This is American Patrol by Meacham.

-I felt like dancing

-to the last piece. How did it go?

-It was great.

-Everyone enjoyed themselves.

-You're up against brass bands.

-We don't try to compete

-because it's a different medium.

-But we do play a bit of swing music.

-It's not just all classical.

-Let's hear from

-the unofficial judges.

-Everyone in the hall

-enjoyed Chamber Winds.

-Were the woodwind ensemble

-a breath of fresh air?

-Most definitely.

-It's nice to have a bit of variety.

-I'm glad they're competing.

-I'm glad they played

-a variety of music too...

-..within their programme.

-I'm sure it's difficult

-to find exciting pieces.

-The Brahms and Bach were lovely...

-..but I was enamoured

-with American Patrol...

-..because it gave them freedom

-to add rhythms...

-..and close harmonies.

-It was a different style,

-they had fun...

-..without losing professionalism

-and technical mastery.

-This band certainly gives the judges

-something different to consider.

-It'd be interesting to hear

-what Meurig Alexander had to say...

-..about what they've learnt

-from last time.

-I believe they've taken

-two steps forward since then.

-Their programme was better, they're

-more relaxed than two years ago.

-By the end of their programme...

-..their enjoyment came across to us.

-They were getting good vibes

-from each other as well.

-A lot of praise for you there.

-It was very interesting because we

-heard what they said two years ago.

-I'm glad they recognized

-I took it on board.

-We gave them a different programme.

-It's for the students here

-and the players.

-They were

-obviously impressed with them.

-The Champion Band of Wales

-takes to the stage.

-Llwydcoed Band

-is last to compete after the break.

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-After hearing a brass band

-playing during one of their games...

-..the local football team, Llwydcoed

-Robins, decided to form a band...

-..back in 1912.

-As one of Britain's best bands,

-the band's future...

-..is safe in the hands

-of the current instrumentalists.

-One of the recent highlights

-was last November...

-..when we managed to be

-the Champion Band of Wales.

-We succeeded

-in all but one competition.

-Last year

-was really successful for the band.

-Chris knows exactly what he wants

-to get out of rehearsals.

-He doesn't leave

-until he gets what he wants.

-Usually in brass bands,

-it's the trombonists who play up.

-That's certainly true

-of Llwydcoed's trombonists.

-You start on cornet

-and as you get older...

-..you move down the sections.

-When you haven't got teeth, that's

-when you end up on B-flat bass.

-Everyone in the band was thrilled

-to hear we'd made it through.

-Every band wants to win and the

-competitive element drives us on.

-Good luck to all the bands in

-Band Cymru, but who's going to win?

-Llwydcoed!

-The trombonists

-are on their best behaviour.

-Conducted by Christopher Turner...

-..this is Llwydcoed Band.

-The programme's based

-on Welsh mythology.

-We open with Tonnau'r Cawr by Cai

-Isfryn, who's a friend of the band.

-The piece portrays the mistreatment

-of Branwen by the King of Ireland...

-..and reaches a climax when

-Bendigeidfran creates a bridge.

-Salm o Dewi Sant

-is Tony Small's arrangement...

-..of Karl Jenkins' work.

-It conveys

-Saint David's pacifism beautifully.

-Sian Drew is the instrumentalist...

-..on the flugelhorn, and the smooth

-sound is perfect for this piece.

-Legends of Cyfarthfa

-celebrates Robert Crawshay...

-..Merthyr's ironmaster

-and owner of Cyfarthfa ironworks.

-He was also a supporter of the arts.

-This challenging piece

-fuses the work of Joseph Parry...

-..with the famous melodies of Men

-of Harlech, Lisa Lan and Calon Lan.

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-Welcome back to Aberystwyth.

-Llwydcoed Band has just performed.

-Let's get some reaction.

-I thought the performance was good.

-I'm very happy.

-Well done. Can't argue with that.

-Are you going to win?

-Who knows? There's

-three different opinions in there.

-All we can do is play our best,

-Whatever the result is the result.

-The Champion Band of Wales

-has performed on Band Cymru.

-How polished was their performance?

-A few problems with synchronicity

-and tonality to begin with.

-It might have knocked

-their confidence a little.

-By the final piece,

-we started to see their potential.

-Sian Drew

-was the soloist on the flugelhorn.

-How did she fare?

-There was a lot of pressure on her.

-It was hard sustaining the phrasing

-and it's very dry in the hall.

-She did a very good job of it.

-Whether the bassists

-have false teeth or not...

-..did they get their teeth

-into the programme?

-I'd never heard the first piece

-by Cai Isfryn before.

-He's a cornet

-and trumpet player himself.

-It was a challenging piece.

-Legends of Cyfarthfa...

-...requires some oomph.

-They made a very good effort.

-As Geraint said, in the beginning,

-when the band was out of kilter...

-..it was as if they

-couldn't hear each other very well.

-As the programme progressed...

-..they got their teeth

-into the last piece.

-There was plenty of variety.

-We gave it a lot of oomph.

-But it's important

-to play quieter pieces...

-..to show

-how versatile brass bands can be.

-What did you think of the comments?

-What did you think of the comments?

-

-Fair. Took us a while to settle.

-I thought the band did Llwydcoed,

-and myself, very proud.

-The hard work is over

-for the three bands...

-..while the hard work is about to

-begin for the international judges.

-Colin Sheen has bridged the gap...

-..between classical music

-and the big bands.

-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..."

-..is what

-Dizzy Gillespie said about him.

-He's performed

-with Duke Ellington and Count Basie.

-He emulates

-Louis Armstrong and Miles Davis...

-..whilst creating

-his own unique sound.

-The winning band

-was by a breadth hair.

-What made that difference...

-..was the interpretation

-of the music it was performing...

-..and the musicality

-of the performance.

-It won for me

-because of subtleties and nuance.

-I could hear everything

-that was being played by the band.

-They delivered

-the best musical performance.

-They didn't play things

-that roared around too much.

-They concentrated on the music...

-..and that's what got them

-the award this time.

-The decision has been made.

-Before we announce the winners,

-let's ask our unofficial judges.

-Which band

-impressed you the most, Geraint?

-I'd like to congratulate

-the three conductors and bands.

-It was a closely-fought contest.

-If you have to press me,

-and I know you want to...

-..just because I felt

-they showed more precision...

-..I'm saying Tongwynlais.

-I have to press you, Branwen?

-Press away!

-It's a close call

-between the two brass bands...

-..but I think...

-..Tongwynlais will win.

-You're in agreement.

-Dr Graham Jones, the winner.

-The winner is...

-..Chamber Winds.

-Congratulations, Meurig.

-Quite an achievement.

-I'm knocked out. I'm very impressed.

-I heard the other two bands

-and they're fantastic.

-I feel very humble that I heard

-the two bands and they're superb.

-You knocked out two brass bands.

-They'll do me

-on the way to the car park!

-How proud are you of Chamber Winds?

-They're a fantastic bunch.

-I'm very proud of them.

-Congratulations, Meurig,

-and congratulations, Chamber Winds.

-The performances and the critiques

-can be found on the S4C website.

-We've awarded four winners

-from four heats.

-But things aren't quite that simple.

-Six months ago, the journey

-to find Wales' best band begun.

-Auditions were held across Wales.

-The best 12 reached Aberystwyth.

-There were four heats

-and four winners were chosen.

-But those aren't the guidelines

-for reaching the grand final...

-..at the Park and Dare

-next Sunday night.

-Our three judges have been

-searching for the best four bands.

-Therefore, the dreams of

-all these bands are still alive.

-After the break, we'll find out

-which bands are still in the race...

-..for the 10,000

-and this coveted trophy.

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-Welcome back to Band Cymru.

-Four winners have been chosen

-from four heats...

-..but they might not be

-the bands competing in the final.

-The Band Cymru rules state...

-..that the judges

-must find the best four bands.

-Who are they? Let's take a look.

-Just so you understand, this

-special band didn't win the heat.

-I'm here to put a smile

-back on their faces. Come with me.

-Hello.

-Hello, I'm so sorry to interrupt.

-Hello, Ian. How are you?

-Hello, Ian. How are you?

-

-Very well.

-Sorry to interrupt...

-..but you'll forgive me

-once you've heard the news.

-Tredegar Town Band, you're through

-to the Band Cymru final.

-Congratulations.

-Is that a surprise?

-Is that a surprise?

-

-Yes, it is.

-You weren't expecting to see me.

-Come here, Dewi.

-How do you feel?

-How do you feel?

-

-Great. It's a big relief.

-You were disappointed, weren't you?

-You were disappointed, weren't you?

-

-Yes, I was...

-..but it's hard to know

-what the judges are looking for.

-We put Tredegar through

-because they played really well...

-..and gave a very interesting

-and varied performance...

-..which we all thoroughly enjoyed.

-Bands have difficulty in

-choreography. This band nailed it.

-They connected with the audience

-and they were really musical.

-There were bands that played

-technically challenging music.

-But they hit you

-over the head with it.

-Tredegar was one of the bands...

-..that we, as judges...

-..could hear some of the nuance and

-subtlety that we were looking for.

-This year, two bands from the Royal

-Welsh College of Music and Drama...

-..won their heat at Aberystwyth,

-but only one band...

-..will make it through

-to the final.

-The brass band.

-Hello. Sorry to disturb you.

-I'm pleased to say that the band

-is through to the Band Cymru final.

-You're through to the final in

-the Park and Dare. Congratulations.

-Were you expecting it?

-Were you expecting it?

-

-No. That's fantastic.

-You've done extremely well,

-but the final's the end of May.

-Isn't that exam time?

-Isn't that exam time?

-

-Yes, it's a busy time...

-..especially for the fourth years.

-I'm sure they'll find time

-for extra rehearsals.

-As soon as we heard them, we were

-stunned. It was wonderful playing.

-It was just magic.

-Even though it's a college band...

-..it had this warmth

-and structure of musicality...

-..that was the criteria

-to take bands through.

-Younger musicians, sometimes, aren't

-as jaded as older musicians...

-..so they approach everything...

-..with a certain joie de vivre.

-This band had the energy

-but they also had the subtleties...

-..and the beauty in the music.

-Just like Tredegar Town Band...

-..Beaumaris Brass Band

-came second in the heat.

-Gwyn, the conductor,

-has no idea I'm here tonight.

-He's in the band room

-with his daughter, Bethan...

-..who coaches the youth band.

-Let's go in to share the good news.

-Good evening.

-Sorry to interrupt

-your rehearsal, Bethan.

-You sounded very good.

-I'm looking for Dad. Where's Gwyn?

-He's over there.

-You're hiding in the corner.

-According to Band Cymru rules...

-..the four best bands

-make it through to the final...

-..at the Park and Dare.

-I'm here just to let you know...

-..that you're one of the four.

-Yeah! Whoo!

-They really enjoyed the performance.

-There's no doubt about that.

-This is great news.

-I'm going to Tenerife tomorrow,

-so this is a great going-away gift.

-I'll celebrate

-next to the pool tomorrow.

-The band's enjoyment

-can be heard in the music.

-There was a buzz to the performance.

-Beaumaris had to go through...

-..because they presented

-something different.

-They were a brass band

-with a rhythm section.

-They played big band music

-superbly well.

-Out comes

-this great bang performance...

-..from this

-wonderful trumpet section.

-You're going,

-wow, what a band this is!

-I can assure you

-that the judges loved your swing...

-..including Jon Faddis.

-I've followed him since I was young.

-Knowing he was

-one of the judges made my day.

-Beaumaris had all the qualities

-we were looking for.

-Plus, it had feeling.

-The way they played,

-there was a lot of passion.

-If you don't take risks and make

-mistakes, you're not really trying.

-That's why they went through.

-Well done, Gwyn.

-Fantastic.

-Three bands have already

-claimed their place in the final.

-Time to reveal

-the last band that'll join them.

-Hello. The Melingriffith Band,

-sorry to interrupt you.

-I've some great news for you.

-Our esteemed judges have decided

-that you're going through...

-..to the Band Cymru final.

-You are through to the final.

-Were you expecting that?

-We're not sure.

-The adjudicators were so impressed

-with your varied programme.

-It really did

-let your soloists shine.

-Melingriffith had a wonderful

-structure to their programme.

-The whole performance

-had what we were looking for.

-It was great interpretation,

-great musicianship.

-And it connected

-with the audience...

-..so they're a must

-to go through to the final.

-For this band, I would

-just boil it down to one song.

-When You Wish Upon A Star.

-Lowenna Taylor, man,

-she played her heart out on this.

-And when music is that beautiful,

-it touches you.

-It touched all of us as judges.

-Lowenna Taylor

-just performed a bit of magic.

-I mean, it really got to me.

-It really did.

-Whatever else

-they did in the show...

-..they had to go through

-after her performance.

-Lowenna's performance and the

-impression she left on the judges...

-..meant more good news

-for the Melingriffith Band.

-It gives me great pleasure

-to announce that the judges...

-..have chosen you as the stand-out

-soloist in this year's competition.

-Well done, you. I don't think

-I've ever seen you so shocked.

-How do you feel?

-Shocked but so happy.

-Very happy.

-I don't think I've ever seen you

-looking so shocked.

-Can I thank the band and Nigel and

-Dewi because he did pick the piece.

-Well done, Dewi and the band!

-Congratulations to you all and

-I'll see you at the Park and Dare.

-As the best soloist

-of Band Cymru 2016...

-..there'll be another chance

-to enjoy Lowenna's talent...

-..when she'll perform

-a special solo in the final.

-The four bands will compete

-for the Band Cymru 2016 trophy...

-..live at the Park and Dare,

-Treorchy, next Sunday at 6.00pm.

-Before that,

-at 8.00pm on Saturday night...

-..the final

-of the youth bands will be held.

-Until then,

-goodbye from Aberystwyth.

-S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.

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