Weird and wonderful places where bands are rehearsing
MORE and more bands are trying their utmost to get together to prepare for national contests in September and October and also to rehearse concert programmes for the future.
Fields, rugby grounds, soccer stands, carparks and garages are all being utilised and bands are helping each other by making their larger bandrooms available for bands whose practice rooms just cannot cope with space requirements.
Pontardulais Town Band got together in a large hall in Penygroes and the players were delighted to be on the inside playing, under cover, as they had been soaked previously when playing to the elements.
Getting together to play under the current Covid restrictions takes a few hours of careful preparation when ensuring that all the necessary requirements to keep everyone safe are put into place.
An example of this careful approach saw a committee member of the Pontardulais band complete over 20 pages of A4 when compiling the necessary safety rules and conditions which have to be adhered to for the players to take part in their rehearsal in safety.
The players are very grateful to their committee “who’ve moved heaven and earth” to ensure that the rehearsal went ahead and a comment from a player after the rehearsal was “can’t wait to do it all again next week”.
Taff Vale managed to get about two thirds of their players together to rehearse outside in the sun in a field.
A rather satisfied comment from one of the players was “great being outside playing again with the band and catching up with many good friends in the only two hours of sunshine we’ve had all week”.
The players are all looking forward to getting back into rehearsals from June – still socially distanced of course.
Due to the pandemic they have lost a few players and are looking to fill seats for cornet, baritone and percussion.
Llwydcoed Brass Band has progressed in standard of playing to rub shoulders with the best bands in Great Britain.
For the first time they will be competing in the Championship Section of the National Brass Bands Championships of Great Britain.
In October they will be representing Wales at these Championships along with Tredegar Town Band who are ranked 8th in the world and the Cory Band from the Rhondda who are the current Champions of the World.
Llwydcoed are very grateful to
Craig Roberts who had arranged for them to rehearse in the bandrooms of Treherbert Band and Lewis Merthyr Band. Again very strict Covid requirements were adhered to.
A player from Llwydcoed made the comment “Great to be back to band this week with two small band rehearsals.
“It was great to see everyone’s smiling faces and an emotional time was had by all and it gave us the chance to welcome our new members who have joined over lockdown.”
Chairman of Llwydcoed Band Kevin Johnson said: “We haven’t had any real difficulties, but I would say it has been very different. We’ve had two great rehearsals involving the A and B bands and we are having our first full band indoor rehearsal on Friday (May 28).”
Ebbw Valley Brass has also been searching for pastures new and initially tried the outside concert venue at the Festival Park, Ebbw Vale, but were washed out by the rather inclement weather and forced to abandon the exercise after about half an hour.
Not daunted they have persisted and have found an alternative venue which is in the grandstand at Ebbw Vale’s Rugby ground – Eugene Park.
Peter Thomas, one of the front row cornet players really enjoyed playing with about 15 others in the stand and said: “Playing together was far better than tootling all on your own at home. It was absolutely great and am looking forward to the next time.”
Abergavenny Borough Band has been using the grandstand of a local soccer team and one of the players commented: “It was at least in the dry, but it was still pretty cold!”
Meanwhile, Abertillery Town Band used an open fronted garage to house their rehearsal. Plenty of social distancing and ventilation there. The players are grateful to their soprano player, Andy Watkins, who made it available for the band.
Is there any open space that is not vulnerable to the resilience of our brass bands? Resourcefulness seems to be the name of the game.
■ There was success for Welsh bands at the Foden’s Online Whit Friday March Championships.
Overall Champion was Cory, Seindorf Beaumaris won 3rd Section and Cross Keys Silver won the 4th Section.