Musicians vow to play on as Taff Vale band decide to call it a day
FOLLOWING the collapse of Newbridge Celynen brass band, which occured at almost the same time as their band room was condemned as being unsafe, I see some light at the end of their dark tunnel to hear that their secretary has found new premises for future rehearsals for the remaining handful of players who are determined to keep the band going in some fashion.
There are about nine players still having a blow together and no doubt other players will go along for a blow in the future, hopefully.
Unfortunately, yet another band has been dissolved as announced by the trustees of Taff Vale Brass via their secretary Richard Killen, and that is sadly after being in existence for just a few, but very successful, years.
Their announcement reads: “After a very successful four years together Taff Vale Brass have made the difficult decision to bring things to an end as a competing band and dissolve the society.
“While the Taff Vale Brass Society will be dissolved, players, former players and friends of the band are keen to continue to meet up and play together on an ad-hoc informal basis.”
Taff Vale Brass was founded in November 2017 by like-minded musicians, with a blend of youth and experience under the baton of Mr Gareth Ritter.
The band have enjoyed a very enjoyable and successful period, winning seven of its thirteen competitions, with three consecutive appearances at the National Finals of Great Britain.
During lockdown the band lost a number of its younger members, who had come of age and were off to university, combined with a few others with personal circumstances changing meant that the National Finals appearance was their swansong.
The Band would like to publicly thank Gareth Ritter for all his hard work and dedication over the years. The fun and success would not have been possible without him.
The Band and its players have enjoyed the experience, have made new friends and been privileged to see so many talented players develop.
The trustees are keen to support the development of young brass musicians in Wales and will look to pass on its assets to other charitable organisations that align with these goals.”
The Deputy Bandmaster of Cwm Corps of the Salvation Army has informed me that the International Staff Band of the Salvation Army will be visiting Cwm, Ebbw Vale on the weekend of October 29 and 30 next year2022.
Further details will be released in due course, but he is giving such early notice so that everyone in the South Wales brass band community know well in advance to try to avoid potential clashes.
For those of you who may not know the International Staff Band does not get involved in band contests, but they are considered to be among the best bands in the world.
Usk Band recently took part in the unveiling of the statue of the Usk born naturalist, Alfred Russel Wallace, accompanied by absolute legend, Bill Bailey.
Callum Phillips played The Usk Fanfare by James Jones prior to Bill Bailey revealing the bust, which was created by Felicity Crawley.