Pennod 6 Band Cymru

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-Band Cymru is the only

-competition in the world...

-..where jazz, wind and brass bands

-share the same stage.

-Reaching the Parc and Dare Theatre

-stage...

-..was certainly not child's play.

-Six months ago, auditions were held

-all over Wales...

-..and anonymous discs were sent to

-anonymous adjudicators to be marked.

-This system ensures that past

-success counts for nothing.

-For me, it's spirit.

-That magic moment of musicality.

-The ability to make goosebumps

-appear on one's arm.

-The one that wins will be the

-one which stirs my emotions.

-Twelve of the best performed at four

-exciting sessions in Aberystwyth.

-And talk about battling...

-..talk about effort!

-More than a month of perspiration,

-tears of sadness and of joy.

-Dozens of bands

-have already been disappointed...

-..but on the other hand,

-four bands can still dream.

-Which one of these will rise to

-the top, win a cheque of 10,000...

-..and lift this special trophy

-to be crowned Band Cymru 2016?

-Hello and welcome to the Parc

-and Dare Theatre in Treorchy.

-Last night,

-Greater Gwent Youth Brass Band...

-..were crowned

-Band Ieuenctid Cymru 2016.

-Tonight, we have the final

-of Band Cymru 2016.

-Which band will be crowned?

-First, the impressive judges

-for tonight competition.

-Jon Faddis is a world renowned jazz

-trumpeter, composer and conductor.

-Dr Graham Jones has had a

-successful career in military music.

-He now travels the world

-as a conductor.

-Colin Sheen is one of Britain's

-most gifted trombone players.

-He's a star of stage and film music.

-They are our official adjudicators.

-In the hot seats

-as our unofficial jury...

-..are the cornetist, Branwen Gwyn...

-..and the chief bandit of

-the bands in Wales, Geraint Cynan.

-Our first band this evening

-is the Tredegar Town Band.

-Blaenau Gwent is home to some

-of the world's finest brass players.

-Former British champions and one of

-the world's greatest brass bands...

-..Tredegar Town Band has

-earned its place on the map...

-..since its establishment in 1849.

-We started the year

-with becoming Welsh champions.

-Then a few weeks later,

-the next round of Band Cymru...

-..we were feeling really confident

-but it didn't go as we'd hoped.

-It was interesting having

-to wait backstage for the result.

-Unfortunately, the result

-wasn't what we had hoped.

-We were all a bit disappointed but

-when the news came, we were shocked.

-We weren't expecting it.

-I could see something going on

-outside the doors.

-Then the cameras burst in!

-Then the cameras burst in!

-

-I had a tap on my shoulder.

-You're through

-to the final of Band Cymru.

-Congratulations!

-I'm not often stuck for words

-but I was gobsmacked!

-The contest is a little unusual...

-..in that we're privileged to get

-feedback from the adjudicators...

-..before the next round.

-It was a superb performance...

-..and it was a difficult decision

-to not let them win.

-They were very strong technically.

-But there were other things

-that bothered us.

-If the band takes care of balance,

-it makes a big difference.

-This band nailed it.

-They connected with the audience and

-they were very musical. Thank you.

-We've tried to correct some

-of the errors we made last time.

-Our programme for the final...

-..is completely different

-to what I originally planned.

-Every piece is different.

-If we're stubborn and stick

-to our guns, we won't win.

-We were in the final last time

-but sadly we didn't win.

-I hope we can come out this time

-all guns blazing and win!

-The conductor is Ian Porthouse.

-Please welcome

-Tredegar Town Band.

-We start our programme...

-..with Ceri John's arrangement

-of Gypsy Dance by Dargomyzhsky.

-It is from the opera, Rusalka.

-Our second piece is Little Hymn,

-written by Simon Dobson.

-After hearing the judges'

-comments...

-..we felt we needed a quieter piece.

-Next on our programme is Brassmen's

-Holiday by Mario Ruiz Armengol...

-..arranged by Michael Pilley.

-This gives the cornet section the

-opportunity to show our skills.

-It is an energetic,

-fun filled piece.

-We close our programme with

-Glorifico Aeternum by Dean Jones.

-It's from the Salvation Army.

-This is an all guns blazing

-end to the programme.

-What a performance.

-Were you happy?

-Yes, I Think everyone was happy.

-I don't think We Could have

-done Much Better.

-What do you think

-pleased the judges?

-I think maybe the first piece.

-It was an arrangement by Ceri John.

-How many rehearsals have taken place

-over the past few weeks?

-Lots! On Monday, Wednesday

-and Thursday nights.

-Also on Saturday and this morning.

-You told me you had a great show

-planned. That was something else.

-Were you happy with how it went?

-It was a totally different show

-to what we had planned.

-After the comments from last time,

-we changed the programme.

-We hope the judges go for it.

-We took their advice.

-I'm really delighted

-with the performance.

-Let's hear from our jury.

-Ian said he had listened

-to the judges' comments.

-Did it work for them as a band?

-Definitely. It was clear from

-the off that they plan to win.

-I think they took the comments

-on board in the best possible way.

-It inspired them

-to show what they could do.

-I have written a few comments.

-A multi-layered band,

-intelligent and sensitive.

-They were completely committed

-to everything they played.

-I thought their programme

-summed up what's good about bands.

-They had everything.

-At the beginning,

-their accented play was sparkling.

-They changed gear so easily.

-They felt comfortable

-whatever they played.

-Every band here tonight can play

-superbly whilst blowing.

-It takes a special band

-to play so quietly and lyrical.

-Their use of dynamics

-was very impressive.

-Branwen, in this competition, you

-need to have a variable programme.

-But it also has to be entertaining.

-Did they achieve that?

-This was a more traditional

-programme...

-..than what we expect

-from Tredegar.

-Two years ago,

-they played All Night Long.

-They can obviously play

-that type of tune.

-They decided to stick to a more

-traditional programme...

-..maybe to please the judges.

-At the end of the day...

-..it is the judges who decide

-who wins the 10,000.

-As Gareth mentioned,

-their programme had everything.

-Their technique was impeccable.

-The cornets were so clear.

-I was watching their faces, and

-there wasn't much smiling going on.

-They took it seriously

-and it's paid off for them tonight.

-Comfortable and smooth gear changes.

-What did you think of that?

-Couldn't ask for much better.

-We put our performance down...

-..and hopefully the

-official judges enjoyed it too.

-What did you think of what our jury

-had to say about your performance?

-We're very pleased

-with that reaction.

-We're delighted we pleased them.

-You represent all that's good

-in the world of banding.

-Were you happy with the comments?

-Yes, delighted.

-The Royal Welsh College

-of Music and Drama Brass Band...

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-The Royal Welsh College

-of Music and Drama...

-..attracts some of the best

-musicians in the world.

-It offers opportunities to play in

-all kinds of bands and ensembles.

-The brass band is no exception.

-The college brass band

-is a new ensemble here.

-Up until 2005, it only opened

-its doors to orchestral instruments.

-In 2005, we started

-our Brass Band Pathway...

-..and it's run from strength

-to strength since then.

-The winner is...

-I was very excited

-waiting for the result.

-It was a fantastic experience.

-..The Royal College

-of Music and Drama.

-We didn't expect to win but

-we were very happy when we did win.

-We were rehearsing a piece...

-..and these two people

-came through the stage door.

-I was wandering what

-they were doing in my rehearsal.

-Then I recognised her and she said

-'You're through to the final'.

-It was fantastic.

-The judges were very complimentary

-about our quieter lyrical playing...

-..which really paid in our favour.

-This bad had the energy,

-but they also had the subtleties.

-And the beauty in the music.

-As soon as we heard them,

-we were all stunned.

-It was wonderful playing,

-just magic.

-Whether we win or lose, we've won.

-It's been a great experience for

-myself and the students in the band.

-Wonderful publicity for the college.

-This band has a lot of energy.

-I say, bring it on!

-Good luck to the other competitors,

-but not too much. Are you ready?

-Yeah!

-Their conductor is Dr Robert Childs.

-Please give a warm welcome...

-..to the Royal Welsh College

-of Music and Drama Brass Band.

-We start our programme with Enter

-the Galaxies by Paul Lovatt Cooper.

-It offers a musical

-experience from the stars.

-It develops throughout the piece and

-ends on an exciting climax.

-Our second piece is Ave Verum

-from Stabat Mater.

-It's Robert Childs' arrangement

-of Karl Jenkins' work.

-The cornet soloists are William

-Norman and Hannah Plumridge.

-Our third piece is Flight of

-the Bumblebee by Rimsky Korsakov.

-This arrangement is by David Childs.

-It was arranged especially

-for the Childs brothers in 1985.

-We close our programme with Gareth

-Wood's arrangement of Sospan Fach.

-It starts quite quietly with the

-corn playing the tune on E flat.

-It speeds up quite quickly.

-Well done. Come and stand here.

-That was lovely.

-How did it go on stage?

-Everyone's happy with that.

-You are in the middle

-of exams right now.

-How do you manage to do it all?

-A lot of clever time-keeping.

-Bob picks a good programme.

-He's fantastic.

-Another great performance.

-Were you happy with how it went?

-More than happy.

-The band played fantastic.

-Well done, guys.

-You can all be very proud.

-Cameras, lights

-and a fantastic venue.

-It's such a great experience

-for these young students.

-They've delivered the goods again.

-There's been lots going on

-and not much time to rehearse.

-That was a fantastic performance.

-You can be very proud of yourselves.

-Give yourselves a round of applause.

-Let's head back to the theatre.

-It's a busy time for the students...

-..and they're letting

-the notes speak for them tonight.

-Could you feel the energy

-of youth here tonight?

-It is a very busy period for them.

-Committing to this kind

-of competition is a big deal.

-We should just praise them

-for just being here.

-They must have been rehearsing

-three or four times a week.

-There was energy and polish

-to the performance.

-Enter the Galaxies

-was a great place to start.

-It was very suitable

-for a young band.

-Then we had the Karl Jenkins.

-I'm sure everyone was touched by the

-lovely cornet solos in that piece.

-It was also a lovely arrangement

-by Bob Childs himself.

-Then we had two

-very busy little bees.

-There was steam

-coming out of the valves.

-Then they finished with Sospan Fach.

-I was looking for

-a bit more of a show-stopper.

-Sospan Fach is something

-I've heard dozens of times.

-I would have liked to hear

-something a bit different.

-People may disagree.

-What did you think, Geraint?

-It was a very inclusive programme.

-I agree that they might have had

-an extra 10% of something...

-..to throw in towards the end.

-Maybe, they ran out of time.

-They have a lovely sound.

-Youngsters always have a

-fearlessness that's refreshing.

-We don't associate the kind of

-emotion they managed to convey...

-..with such a lyrical piece.

-This is the best lyrical play

-we've seen in the competition.

-If we are giving the prize to the

-most lyrical band, they would win.

-That's a big claim, considering

-we've just listened to Tredegar.

-I don't think they finished off

-as I would have liked.

-They played superbly, a great advert

-for our musical establishments.

-Hurrah!

-A lot of praise

-for the soloists there.

-What did you make of those comments?

-Very happy with a great performance.

-We are just happy

-to be here competing today.

-What was the experience

-like for you on stage?

-It was a great, a lot of fun.

-Let's have a quick word with Bob.

-A suitable programme for the band

-according to the unofficial judges.

-We really enjoyed ourselves.

-A lot of these students they've done

-their end of year..

-..or final degree recitals this

-week.

-So this was a walk in the park

-for them compared to those recitals.

-I really am truly proud

-of every member of the band.

-You should be very proud of

-yourselves. Congratulations.

-Let's have a big cheer

-for the college.

-Hurrah!

-Blowing over from Anglesey,

-the next band is Brass Beaumaris.

-Join us in a few minutes.

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-Representing the North West

-is Brass Beaumaris.

-The band was established in 1921...

-..in the ancient town

-of Beaumaris on Anglesey.

-Like Tredegar,

-the band didn't win its category...

-..but they also managed to capture

-the judges' imagination.

-We weren't disappointed because

-everyone enjoyed the performance.

-I thought we played very well

-but we were a little disappointed.

-It was completely unexpected on

-Monday night when Morgan turned up!

-You're one of the four!

-It was a big shock for the children.

-They didn't know what was going on!

-It's nice to see that the judges

-have made the right decision.

-Out comes this great performance

-from a wonderful trumpet section...

-..and you're on the back

-of your seats thinking...

-.."Wow! What a band this is!"

-..plus it had feeling.

-Because we play a lot of jazz...

-..Jon Faddis' remarks were

-very important to us and Gwyn.

-The minor criticisms I had

-are minor...

-..because they can be fixed

-like that!

-When the volume is too loud, you

-start to lose the little detail.

-Jon Faddis gave us

-some great comments...

-..but there were a few things

-he was unsure about.

-His comments inspired me...

-..to come up

-with a new programme for the final.

-It's not so in your face this time.

-There's a bit of class.

-I hope we can get Mr Faddis

-to say "Kudos!"

-Are you ready for action, Gwyn?

-Always ready.

-How's the heart?

-I think it's working.

-Good to hear that!

-Gwyn Evans is the conductor of

-the next band in Band Cymru 2016.

-Please welcome Brass Beaumaris.

-We open our programme with

-Earth Rites by Robin Dewhurst.

-We turn to the world of

-Celtic music.

-We stay in the Celtic world

-for the second piece.

-This is Robin Dewhurst's

-arrangement of Ellis Island Lament.

-It is a much quieter piece.

-We move to the jazz world

-for the last piece.

-It is a very well-known piece.

-We close our programme with Children

-of Sanchez by Chuck Mangione.

-Brass Beaumaris

-have just come off the stage.

-Come over here.

-That was fantastic.

-You are the only band

-from North Wales.

-I'm sure everyone at home

-will be very pleased.

-I hope so.

-It has been a very memorable night.

-I really enjoyed playing that duet.

-You looked very comfortable

-on stage.

-Everything went really well.

-Everyone was on form.

-Here we are once again.

-I really enjoyed that.

-We had so much fun.

-You are

-obviously big friends in this band.

-Does that make it easier?

-I'm Not friends with him!

-Let's hear what Branwen and Geraint

-made of those performances.

-This is a band that has really

-enriched the competition.

-They epitomise everything that

-is good about music.

-They were all smiling on the stage.

-You could see all those

-personalities shining.

-To use a sporting metaphor they left

-nothing in the changing room.

-They have some fantastic soloists.

-Neal was amazing on the tin whistle.

-I Cannot Explain To You How hard

-that would have been to play.

-One of the younger members has an

-exam tomorrow as well.

-They have transformed their

-programme...

-..since the last time we heard them.

-Yes, but they are still the

-Beaumaris band we know.

-I thought they were still

-in your face...

-..but I thought that was

-a good thing.

-The band work very well

-with the conductor.

-What do you think of those comments?

-I will say it again,

-but it's a great pity...

-..that those two

-aren't the real adjudicators!

-You had some praise there.

-You competed yesterday as well.

-I have really enjoyed myself.

-I hope you have been working for

-your exams as well.

-It's so great to play with

-such talented players.

-We have so much fun using our

-creative skills.

-Join us after the break to hear the

-City of Cardiff Melingriffith Band.

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-With deep roots

-as far back as 1798...

-..the City of Cardiff

-Brass Band Melingriffith...

-..is considered Wales'

-longest-running brass band.

-The winner is...

-It was a bit of David and Goliath

-that we won that round.

-Melingriffith!

-I don't know if you saw

-how I reacted to the result.

-It was a surprise but we were

-so proud and happy to have won.

-We hadn't heard anything...

-..and then on the Wednesday night

-during rehearsal, we had a visitor.

-Hello.

-That was even more of a surprise!

-Melingriffith Brass Band, you're

-through to the final of Band Cymru.

-What we did

-appealed to the adjudicators.

-I've learnt a lot

-from the judges remarks.

-They seemed to think that

-dynamic contrast was important.

-Melingriffith

-had a great interpretation...

-..great musicianship and it

-connected with the audience.

-They're a must

-to go through to the final.

-When music is that beautiful

-it touches you.

-It touched all of us as judges.

-Brass bands have really concentrated

-in the past ten years or so...

-..on playing millions of notes

-in the shortest space of time.

-Loud, high, fast.

-There's a little bit of a

-groundswell to say let's go back...

-..to what we're meant to be doing

-which is playing things musically.

-We've had a great year,

-and we're hoping it continues.

-We, Melingriffith Brass Band,

-are ready for the final...

-..at the Parc and Dare!

-Yeah!

-Their conductor is Nigel Seaman.

-Please welcome City of Cardiff

-(Melingriffith) Band.

-We open our programme

-with O.B.1 Fanfare by Tom Watson.

-It was for the premiere

-of the film Ali...

-It's a salute to Hollywood

-and the big screen.

-This fine pastiche of film scoring

-is an exciting fanfare and opener.

-Our second piece

-is Somewhere Out There.

-It was written by James Horner,

-Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil.

-The song originally appeared in the

-1986 animated film An American Tail.

-He also wrote the score for Titanic.

-The horn soloist is Lowenna Taylor.

-Our third piece is Brasiliera

-from Scaramouche by Darius Milhaud.

-It was originally for a

-saxophone and an orchestra.

-This arrangement is by Howard Snell.

-I hope people will enjoy the

-rhythms of the carnival.

-We close our programme

-with Phoenix from War of the Worlds.

-Phoenix was written by Peter Graham.

-It pays respect to people who

-have suffered in tragedies.

-Phoenix rising from the ashes.

-Here is the final band to play.

-I am very happy.

-Which was best for you?

-The horn solo from

-Lowenna Taylor was very special.

-You Played War Of The Worlds.

-There's been plenty of banter before

-tonight. I think we will win.

-You jumped up and down last time.

-It was a great performance.

-We really enjoyed it and were so

-glad to have been here.

-Well Played.

-I Didn't Do anything!

-There is a span of ages In The band.

-Yes.

-We've got young players and

-some experienced ones.

-What was your approach tonight?

-We looked very carefully at the

-comments from the adjudicators.

-We tried to get as much contrast in

-a Short space of time today.

-Let's hear from our jury.

-This band have

-Improved Since The Semi-final.

-They Sounded So Confident.

-They put everything into the

-performance.

-They've definitely come here to win.

-The first fanfare was Excellent...

-..and then the solo from

-Lowenna Taylor was excellent.

-She was praised very Highly By The

-Judges in earlier rounds.

-Brasiliera from Scaramouche

-was very striking.

-I congratulate the band.

-I think they extended

-what they can do.

-Everything was very tidily played.

-Lowenna Taylor played

-the Disney film tune excellently.

-She squeezed all the

-emotion out of the tune.

-It seemed to mean

-everything to the band.

-They had everything in the

-repertoire.

-They should be more than happy

-with their performance.

-Great technique and power.

-I'm happy with those comments

-which I think are fair ones.

-We really enjoyed being on stage.

-Thank you for the comments.

-Lowenna Taylor played brilliantly.

-An exposed start to your solo.

-I was under pressure today.

-I was playing for so

-many people today.

-You deserve a Round Of Applause.

-All the four bands

-have now performed.

-The judges are leaving the hall

-to make their deliberations.

-We'll be back

-after this short break.

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-Welcome back to Treorchy.

-All four bands have now performed.

-It's time for the judges

-to make up their minds...

-..and decide who will

-be crowned Band Cymru 2016.

-There is also a soloist award.

-They have already made the

-decision on that award.

-It was a unanimous decision.

-This year's winner

-is Lowenna Taylor.

-Here's the performance that

-won her this prize.

-Lowenna Taylor performed the most

-gorgeous tenor horn solo...

-..that any of us have heard

-for a long time.

-Her musicianship, her phrasing,

-her sensitivity...

-..and how she connected

-with the audience...

-..made her quite clearly

-an outright winner.

-She played her heart out on this.

-When music is that beautiful,

-it touches you.

-It touched all of us as judges.

-It's so beautiful,

-it brings tears to your eyes.

-Brought tears to my eyes.

-It gives me great pleasure

-to announce that the judges...

-..have chosen you as the standout

-soloist in the competition.

-Well done.

-I don't think

-I've seen you so shocked!

-How do you feel?

-Shocked but so happy. Very happy.

-Lowenna Taylor

-performed a bit of magic.

-It really got to me. It really did.

-It really is a tingle in your spine.

-It can make me cry.

-I can only think of a handful of

-singers and things that do it to me.

-Lowenna could do that.

-Very high praise for Lowenna Taylor.

-Lowenna will now perform

-Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

-Lowenna is the winner

-of this year's soloist prize.

-It is a great honour to present

-this trophy to Lowenna Taylor.

-Many congratulations to the best

-soloist in this competition 2016.

-There is another trophy to

-be presented.

-Join us after the break...

-..to find out which band

-will be crowned Band Cymru 2016.

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-Welcome back to Treorchy.

-This is a lovely scene.

-Representatives of all the

-bands are here on stage.

-We have enjoyed their performances.

-One of these bands is going

-to get much happier.

-But first, let's remind ourselves

-of their performances.

-We've had an amazing

-evening here tonight.

-We've been thrilled by the bands.

-Let's hear a bit more

-about our esteemed judges.

-The judges are hiding somewhere.

-We have a panel of

-international judges.

-They have followed this

-competition throughout.

-Let's hear a bit more about them.

-Colin Sheen has bridged the gap...

-..between classical music

-and the big bands.

-He was the chief trombonist

-with the Don Lusher Big Band...

-..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.

-As an instrumentalist, he emulates

-Louis Armstrong and Miles Davis...

-..whilst creating

-his own unique sound.

-For a band

-to win this competition...

-..the one word

-the judges agree on...

-..that's most important

-in this competition is balance.

-Play together as one.

-They need

-to grab the listeners' attention...

-..hold onto it, play impeccably

-and tug at the heartstrings.

-You've got to have them

-with their hair standing on end.

-You've got to pull their emotions

-and you've got to excite them.

-Do that, make it musical

-and you're a winner.

-Those are the standards that the

-bands have to reach.

-Elen Rhys is here to present

-the trophy on behalf of S4C.

-There is also a cheque of 10,000.

-Please give a warm welcome

-to the three judges...

-..Jon Faddis,

-Dr Graham Jones and Colin Sheen.

-Before we have the results, a word

-from our unofficial jury.

-It's time to put your

-head on the block.

-It has been a very special evening.

-All four bands have played

-beautifully.

-It's very close.

-Tredegar Town Band is my winner.

-It has been an excellent evening.

-I would go for Brass Beaumaris

-or Tredegar Town Band.

-I'm sure you all at home

-have your opinion.

-It's time to announce the winner.

-Dr Graham Jones will do the honours.

-We've just listened to four

-incredible band programmes.

-I'm sure you'll agree.

-What we have also witnessed...

-..is a great advert for community

-band music in Wales.

-Long may it continue.

-There are no losers tonight.

-But there has got to be a winner.

-The winner of Band Cymru 2016 is...

-..Tredegar Town Band.

-Many congratulations.

-It means the treasurer

-is very happy!

-It's a different contest for us.

-We took the feedback from the judges

-and it seems to have worked.

-Congratulations to the winners

-of Band Cymru 2016...

-..Tredegar Town Band.

-We leave you in the sound

-of tonight's winners.

-S4C Subtitles by Testun Cyf.

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