Regarded as one of the leading players of his generation, he played an integral part in the success of bands such as YBS, Grimethorpe Colliery and Cory, as well as becoming an innovative soloist and educator.

Great signing

Tredegar MD, Ian Porthouse told 4BR: “Gavin is a great signing at an exciting time in our future musical plans. He will form part of our ground breaking community based mentoring and player development programme in partnership with Birmingham Conservatoire.

Gavin’s experience will be invaluable to the band, as will his superb showcase soloist talents.”

‘It’s a perfect time in my career to be joining a band with an innovative outlook that mirrors my own aims and objectives’

Perfect time

Gavin added: “It’s great to be able to be part of Tredegar’s ambitious plans, which I believe will have a lasting benefit to banding in South Wales and beyond. It’s a perfect time in my career to be joining a band with an innovative outlook that mirrors my own aims and objectives.”

Community link

The scheme will be linked to three community bands in South Wales and will see young players from Pontypool, Ebbw Valley and City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) 2, benefit from structured long term tuition and development programmes provided by the current All England Masters champion and designed in conjunction with David Purser, Head of Brass at the Conservatoire.

Innovative

The innovative approach will also see Conservatoire students gain performance, conducting and tuition experience with Tredegar, as well as directly with the three community bands.

David Purser told 4BR: “We are delighted to partner this excellent scheme, which will benefit young players within their own community bands. It will also give our students the opportunity to gain invaluable experience and the inspiration to further develop their own musical careers.”

Future

Tredegar MD Ian Porthouse added: “Tredegar has a fine reputation for the development of young musical talent, and we hope this scheme will see it flourish in the future too.”

Meanwhile the three MDs are also excited at the prospect of seeing their young players develop their playing skills without being lost to their bands.

‘We are delighted to partner this excellent scheme, which will benefit young players within their own community bands’

Huge benefits

Horn star Owen Farr, who conducts Pontypool added: “I can see huge benefits for a band such as ours. Our players will really develop in a structured way, whilst students who I know through my role with the Conservatoire will also gain so much from their involvement too.”

Dewi Griffiths of M2 agreed: “The innovative approach will give everyone a boost, and will hopefully open the eyes of our young players to what they can really achieve with their talent.”

Gareth Ritter of Ebbw Valley added: “It’s great to be part of what promises to be a real investment in community banding. We can’t wait to get started.”

Talented

The talented 18 year, currently studying at the RWCMD in Cardiff, will take over as solo baritone from Geraint Chamberlain who has reluctantly stepped down due to increased work commitments.

Jack told 4BR that the move is something he is really looking forward to: “After I decided to come to the Royal Welsh College after my sixth form studies at Chethems School of Music in Manchester, I was hoping a position would possibly arise at a band like Tredegar.”

Looking forward

He added: “To follow a player like Geraint who is so well respected in Wales is going to be hard, but I’m really looking forward to working with Ian Porthouse and the rest of the band.

I’ve had a great time with the Markham Band and will play with them at the forthcoming Welsh Open in Porthcawl – so I hope to be able to go out on a high.”

‘Jack is a real up and coming talent—and a player who I believe has a very exciting future ahead of himself’

Superb

MD, Ian Porthouse added: “Geraint has been a superb performer and bandsman with Tredegar over the years, and we know he will not be totally lost to us.

We wish him, Laura and their new baby son Tomos all the very best, and we hope to see all three back in the bandroom in the near future.”

Talent

Ian is also delighted with the new signing too. “Jack is a real up and coming talent—and a player who I believe has a very exciting future ahead of himself. I’m looking forward to having him in the band.”

2 hour chunks

In association with Ev-entz and Premier Percussion, the free day is open to percussionists from any bands in Sections 1-4, who want to come along and gain a bit more insight, some tips and advice in 2 hour chunks, with the help of the Tredegar percussion team and Adrian Evans of Ev-entz

All you have to do is bring your sticks on Sunday!!!

‘All you have to do is bring your sticks on Sunday!!!’

Contact

To book your space contact Steve Barnett on 07900 843319.

Together

The performance has arisen following a growing musical collaboration between the students at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama where they have been working together to produce a major new work for the instrument.

A special lunchtime concert will be held at the college’s impressive Dora Stoutzker Hall on the 14th February, with Stephen performing the work with an orchestra put together especially for the event.

Also featured will be works by other composition students at the college, Lewis Furber, James Golborn and Ben Lunn.

Time

The composer told 4BR: “I’ve spent a lot of time on this work letting ideas come together over a period of almost a year now. It’s really something quite different for me to write music on this scale, thinking about how to link major themes to create something exciting.”

Stephen is also looking forward to the premiere. “It’s been a great experience working alongside Christopher—especially as he really is extending me as a performer. It’s a brilliant new work that I hope will be played time and time again.”

‘It’s been a great experience working alongside Christopher—especially as he really is extending me as a performer. It’s a brilliant new work that I hope will be played time and time again’

No stranger

No stranger to brass writing, it follows a successful year for Christopher with performances of works at the RNCM Festival of Brass, Black Dyke Brass Festival, the International Tuba Euphonium Conference in Austria, as well as his Jubilee Fanfare being performed as HM Queen Elizabeth & Duke of Edinburgh arrived in Wales as part of their Diamond Jubilee Tour.

Associate Conductor

Principal cornet Dewi Griffiths will take on the additional role of Associate Conductor, whilst the band welcomes a new horn addition and the formation of a new euphonium team.

“Dewi is an integral part of the musical fabric of the band,” Musical Director Ian Porthouse told 4BR.

“Not only is he an outstanding principal cornet, but his conducting has blossomed through his success with the Mellingriffith 2 Band. Having him now work with me in an additional conducting role will hopefully develop those talents further to benefit both M2 and Tredegar.”

Dewi responded: “It’s a great opportunity, which I hope will benefit my long term aims and ambitions with both bands.”

‘Having Dewi now work with me in an additional conducting role will hopefully develop those talents further to benefit both M2 and Tredegar’

Euphonium and horn

Meanwhile, the band has announced the appointment of Daniel Thomas and Lucas Wong as their new euphonium section.

18 year old Daniel moves up to take over the principal role following the departure of Byron Newton who recently returned home to New Zealand, whilst Lucas, who studies at Birmingham Conservatoire, joins from Foresters Brass. In addition Emma Havard heads across the valleys on first horn from Cory.

Talent

“Dan is some talent,” Ian Porthouse added. “His development in the last couple of years has been nothing short of spectacular, so this is a well deserved reward for his hard work and progress.

Lucas is also a real emerging talent, so the two together gives the band a great euphonium team, and it’s great to be able to welcome Emma to the band following her successful time at Cory.”

Free afternoon

The band is teaming up with friends at NASUWT Concert Band on Saturday 17th November to provide a Brass & Percussion workshop afternoon led by MD Ian Porthouse on the eve of their Sage Gateshead appearance.

Ian and principal players from the band will lead the free event being held at Park View Community School, Church Chare, Chester-Le-Street, DH3 3QA, starting at 1.00pm and finishing around 4.00pm.

Lovely welcome

Ian told 4BR: “We always get a lovely welcome when we come to the area for the contest weekend, so it was ideal opportunity to build an even stronger connection with the NASUWT Concert Band by helping provide a fun packed afternoon of free tuition and workshops for players young and old.”

The connection between the two bands has been forged by the Tait family—with well known North East cornet star Bryan leading the resurgent youngsters at NASUWT, whilst his son, Phil plays repiano with the Welsh band.

‘We always get a lovely welcome when we come to the area for the contest weekend, so it was ideal opportunity to build an even stronger connection with the NASUWT Concert Band’

Plenty of fun

Bryan added: “It’s wonderful to have Ian and Tredegar with us for the workshop afternoon. This is going to be something of real benefit for players of all standards and plenty of good fun too. It’s also nice that my lad can get his accent back as well—as he’s starting to sound a bit too Welsh!”

Concert treat

As an extra treat the day will be rounded off with a joint evening concert at the same venue starting 7.30pm at between the two bands, with Tredegar giving a sneak preview of their Brass in Concert programme

Extra information:

Tickets for the concert are £7 and are available from Catherine Tait at: 0191 3750478.

Please contact Catherine for further workshop details on: Ctait2001@aol.com

8.00pm start

The baton will be brought down by MD Ian Porthouse bang on 8.00pm at the bandhall in Stocktonville, NP22 3ER, Tredegar, as the Welsh contender looks to claim its first National title.

It’s all free and everyone is welcome.

New duo

With solo horn player Chris Davies moving to start a new career in Scotland, the band has signed former Hepworth principal horn Hannah Drage.

Meanwhile, with solo euphonium Buzz Newton returning to New Zealand a few weeks after the National Finals, they have sought a new addition as co-principal from the United States of America, with the signing of Grant Jameson from the Dublin Silver Band in Ohio.

Looking forward

Both Hannah and Grant are students at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff and are looking forward to enjoying banding life at the Masters champions.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to play with one of the best bands in the country,” Hannah said. “I’m already enjoying myself and I’m looking forward to making my contest debut at the Royal Albert Hall.”

Meanwhile, Grant is also looking forward to teaming up with a band when he makes his debut at the Brass in Concert Championships in Gateshead.

“To come to Cardiff and be able to be sign for Tredegar is amazing. They are a great band and make an awesome sound. I’m going to enjoy my time here for certain.”

Quality

MD Ian Porthouse has welcomed the new signings: “It’s important that we are able to attract young players of this quality to the band—and these are certainly two of the very best.

The connection to the Royal Welsh College through Head of Brass Dr Robert Childs has benefited us greatly over the past few years, and that has certainly been the case with Hannah and Grant. They are two excellent additions to the band’s strength.”

‘The connection to the Royal Welsh College through Head of Brass Dr Robert Childs has benefited us greatly over the past few years, and that has certainly been the case with Hannah and Grant’

Newton return

Meanwhile, Byron Newton’s growing solo reputation has been recognised in his home country with the news that he has been invited to be the guest soloist with the National Youth Band of New Zealand for their 2013 course early next year.

Buzz, who has completed his studies at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama by gaining his FTCL, BMUS, PGDIPM (dist) and MA (dist) will be returning to New Zealand to live and work after his final contest appearance at the National Finals.

Honour

“It’s a real honour to be asked to be the guest soloist with the National Youth Band,” he said.

“The course will be held in Otago at the end of January next year, and with me returning home after two great years in Wales, it’s an ideal way to start what I hope will be a successful performing career in my home country.”

Superb

Although sad to lose one of his star performers, MD Ian Porthouse is delighted that Buzz will be making an immediate playing impact on his return home.

“He’s been a superb player for Tredegar and one that we will miss. We will be making the most of him in his final few weeks though as we will also be featuring Buzz as our own guest soloist in our forthcoming concerts.”

Experience

Band President Jonathan Kramer told 4BR: “Brian brings with him a wealth of knowledge and an invaluable amount of brass band experience to the role of musical director.”

Distinguished career

Brian is a former principal euphonium player in the premier bands of both the United States Navy and United States Air Force and also performed the first euphonium recital at Carnegie Hall back in 1976.

He continues to enjoy a distinguished career as a euphonium soloist and recording artist and is currently Professor of Euphonium at the University of North Texas.

Thanks

Jonathan Kramer added: “We would like to thank Kristopher Quaale who recently handed over the baton to Brian. Kris has given a huge amount of his time, money and passion to the band and has been instrumental in the band’s growing success.

Kris will continue to serve on the Board of Directors as the band’s Director of Marketing.”