Bands battle it out for £10,000 prize at S4C competition
TWO Rhondda musical groups will compete for a national jazz, wind and brass band award – as well as the opportunity to win £10,000.
The Tylorstown Band and The Cory Band will go up against 10 others from across Wales to compete for the S4C Band Cymru 2018 title and the chance of a cash boost.
The two finals of the competition will be held at The Great Hall, Swansea University, on April 21 and 22, and will be broadcast on S4C.
But before that, the bands from around the country will travel to the Arts Centre, Aberystwyth in February to try and blow away the judges and secure a place in the final.
Both award winners, among their accolades, Tylorstown were National Brass Band Champions of Great Britain, while Cory Band were the first in history to win all three major titles of British, National and European Best Brass Band – the banding Grand Slam.
The pair will go up against Burry Port Town band, City of Cardiff Brass Band (Melin Griffith), Northop Silver Band, Brass Beaumaris, BTM Band, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Tongwynlais Temperance Band, 3D Brass, Cardiff University Jazz Society and Royal Welsh College Big Band.
The semi-finals will be filmed by the production company and competition organisers Rondo Media and broadcast on S4C in March and April.
S4C’s content commissioner for entertainment, Elen Rhys, said: “We’re delighted that such a wide variety of bands from across Wales have competed for a place in the final.
“This is the third time that we have held the competition and it goes from strength to strength.
“Good luck to all the competitors.”
Along with the others, Tylorstown was chosen by an international panel of expert adjudicators under the supervision of the Rondo Media production company.
Series producer, Gwawr Owen, said: “As the producers of the competition, we are delighted that so many bands have competed and reached such a high standard.
“This is the only competition where brass, wind and jazz bands compete against each other and the range of bands that have been selected to go on to the semi-final rounds should ensure an unforgettable weekend of music in Aberystwyth in February and later on S4C.”
As well as that, four bands of talented musicians under the age of 18 are also celebrating after sealing their places in the prestigious youth band final, Band Ieuenctid Cymru S4C 2018.
Those are Band Jazz Tryfan, Cardiff and Vale Music Service Jazz Orchestra, Torfaen Youth Big Band and the Greater Gwent Youth Brass Band.
Free tickets will be available for the semi finals from 10am on January 15.
Please call 02920 223 456 or email bandcymru@rondomedia. co.uk.
Brass bands column: See Page 28