Rewarding time for members
ABERGAVENNY Borough Band, while physically apart, is making every effort during the lockdown to keep in touch with each other thanks to the wonders of modern technology.
The band were lucky to have held their annual awards presentations in early March just before it became impossible to meet as a full group.
Here is a report of the evening by the band’s secretary Megan Prosser:
“The awards evening was held at the cricket club in Abergavenny and featured good food, good company and a joyful celebration of the band’s community, spirit and musicality.
“We were joined by our president Mr Chris Woodhouse and his wife, chair of Monmouthshire County Council, Sheila Woodhouse and county councillor Maureen Powell, all long standing friends and supporters of the band.
“Abergavenny’s players and their families were able to enjoy a convivial evening and there was much fun and laughter as the band looked back on 2019 and celebrated the achievements of its players and the band’s close knit determination throughout the year all of which had contributed to the happy, enthusiastic group that is Abergavenny Borough Band.
“Our president echoed these sentiments in his speech and he went on to applaud the results of the previous Saturday’s Welsh Regional Contest where the band confidently took to the stage with 14 players 19 years and under, 10 of whom were under 16 and came a more than creditable fifth in a field of 10.
“Lana Tingay, whose musicality and enthusiasm had inspired the band to this great achievement, was honoured with the players award of Band Person of 2019. Ted Rawlings, Solo Euphonium, who ably occupies the end seat with quiet determination received the player’s Young Band Person of 2019.
“The MD’s Award for Best Section went to Percussion, three now quite seasoned youngsters, Hyrum Ward, Zac Johnson, Zak RoynonGriffiths joined by our librarian Fiona Evans, all of whom have developed and progressed immeasurably, both individually and as a team over the past year.
“The MD’s Award for Player of the Year went to Zak Roynon-Griffiths who despite his youth has been with the band for many years honing his craft. This past year Zak has shown just how far he has come with his mature and adult dedication, and his musical progress.
“The Ray Hill Memorial Award for young players was awarded jointly to Zac Johnson, percussion and James Herbert, baritone, in recognition of their progress and contribution to the band.
“An extra presentation was made to five of our under-16s, Tomos Allen, Harry Collet, Josh Llanos, Ethan Stockham and Alice Williams who made their regional contest debut.
“Finally a long service award was made to Steve Ward, a stalwart of the band, for 32 years of music and friendship to the band, fittingly made by Andrew Richards whose own association with the band is somewhat in excess of 50 years.”