Our Rehearsal Nights
The Band rehearses from 18:30 - 20:15hrs every Tuesday and Thursday
News for 2023
We have an amazing year planned as the band competes in the Welsh Regional Championships in Swansea and then a takes trip to the famous Saddleworth Whit Friday march competition.
Welsh Brass Band Championships-Swansea
After months of hard work rehearsing the test piece, the band delivered a superb performance of Rodney Newton’s “The Pilgrim’s Progress” under the superb direction of MD Lana Tingay. Adjudicators Nicholas Garman & Martin Heartfield congratulated the band on its excellent rendition of the piece and the Musical Director for her interpretation of music that presented performers with a variety of technical and musical challenges. The band was awarded first place, building on last year’s third placing, and was further rewarded for having the best percussion section on the day (a much deserved accolade for our young percussionists).
As the Champion 2nd section band of Wales, we will now go forward to represent Wales at the British championships in Cheltenham in September.
Annual Dinner
March also heralded the return of the Bands Annual Dinner which was held at the Abergavenny Cricket Club. As usual this was an opportunity to celebrate the bands successes and “pat each other on the back” for a year’s hard work well done. Representing the town of Abergavenny has always been fundamental to the bands existence and we overcame the obstacles of the pandemic to continue our quest to be a beacon for the town.
This was no more evident than in the hard work and dedication shown by our young members who were celebrated and praised by the chairman and MD and robustly applauded by all present.
Nice to Socialise
It was nice to see the band room used for a social evening for players, family and friends and a certain person’s 60th birthday celebration. A great use of space that is normally too full of band equipment for use as anything other than a band room, we managed to clear most of the kit to one side to allow a convivial gathering for food, drinks and games as well as the obligatory birthday celebrations for MD Lana.
Thanks Ffion
April we sadly say a fond farewell to principal cornet player Ffion Johnson who is leaving the band to move with her partner to Coventry where both will be continuing their academic studies. We all wish them both every success in their endeavours.
It's Great to be Back
A busy and sunny shopping day in May gave the band its first chance of the year to return to our usual spot in "Red Square" to entertain the shoppers with a repertoire of popular music. This also means we can raise much needed funds for our forthcoming trip to Yorkshire to participate in the Saddleworth Whit Friday Marches. It's always a delight to play in town and to give our young players the chance to experience a performance platform. The towns folk and visitors were, as usual, very appreciative and generous in supporting the band. Thanks everyone.
Yorkshire By Gum
The first weekend of June sees the traditional Whit Friday brass band marching competition in Yorkshires Saddleworth. After many years deliberating on whether to attend or not we finally took the plunge and ventured up north to take part in this famous event. For a few in the band this was not a new experience but most had never been to the event and for some, it was a long standing item on a banding “bucket list” which, at last, could be crossed off.
A long tradition of “Whit” walks and celebrations existed with each village holding its own event on a different day over the period following the Whit Sunday religious festival. Eventually, in 1849, all villages came to celebrate on Whit Friday and the first band contest was held at Uppermill some 35years later. The morning walks for each village church, preceded by a band, is still well supported and the band competition follows.
Bands have to opportunity to travel from village to village to take part in a marching contest followed by a more formal rendition of a contest march at a village bandstand. To qualify for prizes bands have to compete in six villages.
Abergavenny’s first event however, was a visit to the band room of the world famous Black Dyke Band. We were treated to an impromptu concert by the band and its soloists as well as a brief lecture on the bands history from MD Nicholas Childs. Abergavenny was invited to play its contest march and we were joined by another visiting band from Australia. It was also an opportunity to renew a former acquaintance in Matthew Routley, chairman of Black Dyke, principal BBb bass player and former member of Abergavenny band where he progressed through the youth to the senior band.
Abergavenny completed its tour of six Saddleworth villages visiting Southead, Diggle, Delph, Dobcross, Lydgate and Denshaw. Band President, Chris Woodhouse, also joined us for the marches as flag bearer proudly waving the Welsh flag as we progressed along the route. We were also privileged to be invited to perform at concerts in Dobcross band room, and Uppermill Civic Hall with Swiss bands MF Oberberg and MG Oberwil.
Back to the Bandstand
It was a welcome return to Tredegar’s Bedwellty Park Band stand for us in July after an absence due in part to the pandemic. However, the weather forced us indoors to the magnificent Bedwellty House for our concert. This year, however, the concert was a little different as everyone celebrated the 75th anniversary of the founding of the NHS. This is particularly significant for the town of Tredegar because it was here that Aneurin Bevan found inspiration for the NHS from the Tredegar Medical Aid Society where miners paid a weekly amount to fund medical services. It is from these humble beginnings that the NHS was formed.
So our concert was as much a celebration as anything and the first half took the form of a Cymanfa Ganu, a festival of Welsh Hymn singing. Local chapels submitted their choice of hymns from which the final programme was selected. For the second half, MD Lana Tingay prepared a selection of much lighter popular music which encouraged the continuation of audience participation and singing.
Our Three Degrees
The band congratulates three new graduates this July. Trombone player Lewis Rigley achieved a Bachelor of Nursing degree with Honours, Solo Cornet player Lowri Powell achieved a Bachelor of Science degree with Honours in Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience and Andrew Richards achieved a Bachelor of Arts degree with Honours in Photography. Great achievements all during the difficult academic years of the pandemic.
Who remembers these cars
Dingestow Vintage Car Rally invited the band to entertain event visitors and our small ensemble enjoyed an enthusiastic welcome from the “petrol heads” and their supporters. It was very enjoyable afternoon with some very interesting cars on display.
Another Fond Farewell
At last nights rehearsal (10th Aug) we said a sad but fond farewell to Breesha Quirk, solo cornet player. 
joined the band in Sept 2021 on the front row, but has now decided with her partner, Nialls, to move back home to the Isle of Man. She will be greatly missed but we hope to catch up with them both in the not too distant future should the band arrange to visit the island.
Fortune Favours the Brave
The brave people of Abergavenny ignored the recent weather that made August such a damp summer month, and were rewarded with a beautiful sunny afternoon in Bailey Park to enjoy the "Picnic in the Park" event organised by the town council and Friends of the Park on Sunday 20th August. What was to be an afternoon of relaxation and conviviality certainly lived up to this as the park filled with family picnickers entertained by the band and the local branch of Choirs For Good. Such was the success of the event that a council spokes person has vowed to organise more concerts in 2024.
Another Visit to Llangynidr
Another visit to Llangynidr Agricultural Show for the Band this August Bank Holiday weekend as we joined TV Presenter, Kate Humble, on the show ground to open the event. The band's repertoire was launched in the show arena before we moved to our marquee for the remainder of the afternoon. The weather attracted the crowds making this years event a great success.
A long wait at the racecourse
Following weeks of hard work in the band room the players, family and supporters made the trip to Cheltenham for the National Finals at the racecourse on 17th September. Out of 19 participating bands, Abergavenny were drawn to play last which meant many hours waiting for the opportunity to take to the stage and deliver our rendition of Philip Sparke's "Lakeland Variations". Although not in the prizes on this occasion, the band gave a convincing performance and were proud to take the applause and left the stage with heads held high.
The three adjudicators congratulated our MD, Lana Tingay, on a fine interpretation of the music which was stylish and lyrical. Several sections and players were commended but some examples of poor intonation and passages that were disjointed deprived us of a prize.
However, the day was an opportunity for the band to enjoy a contest experience at this level and share this with family and friends. It is pleasing to reflect on the number of our young players on the stage and on the solid nature of the bands make-up where we didn't have to rely on players from outside.
We now look forward to a new era in the first section and a visit to Swansea in March when the test piece will be that great favourite of band players, High Peak by Eric Ball.
