National Eisteddfod in Wrexham
- Thread starter back beat
- Start date
I managed to listen all 4 bands yesterday, it was great to hear some really good playing from all the bands. Unfortunately I missed the results because they were quite a while after the contest finished.
With only 4 performances it was nice and easy to judge and myself and a few band friends were all in agreement on the result but without sounding unkind to our friends it Cardiff we were all a bit surprised when we heard the final placings.
We all had
Tredegar (by a mile)
Wrexham (well clear)
Cardiff
as our top 3.
I suspect the Buckley factor was at work here.
With only 4 performances it was nice and easy to judge and myself and a few band friends were all in agreement on the result but without sounding unkind to our friends it Cardiff we were all a bit surprised when we heard the final placings.
We all had
Tredegar (by a mile)
Wrexham (well clear)
Cardiff
as our top 3.
I suspect the Buckley factor was at work here.
eflatbass
Supporting Member
I have been a big supporter of Wayne Ruston and Wrexham Brass during the issues surrounding the Regional Finals; however, I really do think it unwise of you to introduce comments regarding Mr Buckley in connection with this particular contest.
the shed builder
Member
i really enjoyed helping wrexham out yesterday, many thanks to Wayne and the band. i have to say that was one well organised contest, excellent facilities including a rehearsal room!! tons of changing rooms and loads of space to hang about backstage. thanks too to the lads from ev-entz for all the help with the perc onstage and the top quality gear provided! band contests are much more pleasurable with the likes of yourselves and Ray Payne supplying excellent equipment :clap:
Cantonian
Active Member
Yes it must be as we weren't disqualified.
Is it allowed in the sacrosanct world of Brass bands for the trombones and cornets to stand? Can we have two drum kits on stage? Can we shout 'Faya Kumwambo'? We only played one piece albeit in several movements. Should we have been disqualified five times over for all of the above?
Most importantly in an entertainment contest was Windows of the World entertaining to the audience and did it find favour with three adjudicators?
I can recall a band enquiring with the contest orgainisers about the use of trumpets a few years ago and were told very flatly - NO. Does anyone know if the rules have changed.
Can't help thinking that if one of the other bands playing yesterday ( one in particular anyway), had used trumpets they would have been disqualified straight away !
Can't help thinking that if one of the other bands playing yesterday ( one in particular anyway), had used trumpets they would have been disqualified straight away !
Blimey, I think some people don't have enough things to worry about in their lives...
Cantonian
Active Member
Blimey, I think some people don't have enough things to worry about in their lives...
Agree!
brassneckuk
Member
It would be a great shame to bring Welsh banding into any further disrepute. Where else have we come across a contest that is run so well, on a great stage and televised as well (almost live). You can even watch clips on i player or whatever they call it.
I play for Wrexham and I guess the adjudicators had a more difficult job as our programme (Dragons Rise, I,ll Walk with God (Goff Richards), It had Better be Tonight and An American Tale) was quite different to Cardiffs "Windows of the World". Nonetheless, my daughter who is also a Brass Bander listened to all performances and she said that Cardiff absolutely nailed the accoustic of the venue and played extremely well. I am perfectly content with our 3rd place and congratulate Cardiff on their performance. My daughter, will of course, not be accompanying me to any further contests and ought to show a bit more loyalty. I have not seen the adjudicators comments, but I hope we were quite close to Cardiff, and in true competition spirit hope to beat them next time.....
I play for Wrexham and I guess the adjudicators had a more difficult job as our programme (Dragons Rise, I,ll Walk with God (Goff Richards), It had Better be Tonight and An American Tale) was quite different to Cardiffs "Windows of the World". Nonetheless, my daughter who is also a Brass Bander listened to all performances and she said that Cardiff absolutely nailed the accoustic of the venue and played extremely well. I am perfectly content with our 3rd place and congratulate Cardiff on their performance. My daughter, will of course, not be accompanying me to any further contests and ought to show a bit more loyalty. I have not seen the adjudicators comments, but I hope we were quite close to Cardiff, and in true competition spirit hope to beat them next time.....
I have to agree, The Trumpet was a small but fitting part of a 20 min programme. It is true that 2 years ago I asked to use trumpets in All Night Long as marked on the score, but I was told it was against the rules and the band would be disqualified if we used them. I personally have no problem with bands using trumpets in what is a concert setting and I applaud City of Cardiff for doing so. In my opinion if the score asks for a Trumpet that's what you should use, likewise Bagpipes, Keyboards, Bass Guitar or what ever.
I know rules are rules but sometimes you just have do what you thinks is right and from a musical point of view Gareth and the Band made the right choice and they should be respected for it.
Well done!
Great comments Bob.
I was happy enough with Wrexhams performance and didn't hear a significant amount of any other programme to pass comment. Congrats to both Tred and Cardiff for their performances and results (and Deiniolen for that matter). Chuffed to bits for Paul, our flugel soloist. Great to meet up with ex players Chris and John now with Cardiff
Good luck to them for the finals in Cheltenham
Thanks to all our deps, especially (from my point of view) Matty on drums
Cantonian
Active Member
With all the flak that Wrexham have taken over the past few months, it is great to see that you can't keep a good band down. There are three fantastic posts from Wayne Ruston, Pastit and Brassneckuk within this thread which exhibit very sensible and balanced views and show the depth of feeling for Wrexham band and Welsh banding. We heard the Wrexham performance whilst waiting to go on stage and realised that we had to play very well to finish above them.
I am not qualified to comment on any incidents at the areas but wish Wayne and the band all the best in their 'hearing' concerning these matters.
I am not qualified to comment on any incidents at the areas but wish Wayne and the band all the best in their 'hearing' concerning these matters.
ilovespheres
Member
Yesterday's contest was a mile better than the 2nd Section on Saturday and I must congratulate all of the bands for a great entertaining contest. Tredegar was a mile ahead (of course – British Open Champions and the only true championship section band at the contest) but everyone else made a brave effort of pushing them all the way. I preferred Wrexham’s program (and Deiniolen!) to City of Cardiff’s Windows of the World but after saying that, they gave a different aspect to the contest. All of them gave a great performance and I must personally congratulate my former band, Deiniolen, which gave a great account of themselves and a performance to be proud of, Da iawn bois! One thing I really think that the Eisteddfod should take into consideration is that they should make it clear if this is an entertainment contest or what, because I do feel that some bands is a bit unsure about the entertainment side. Other thing is the First/Championship section contest, there’s a great difference between the standard of 1st and Championship section here in Wales, and therefore I feel that 1st and Championship should be a separate contest. (Although saying that there might be a problem with a number of bands attending the contest!) I felt really disappointed of not seeing more bands from the North contesting! You’ve got 2 Championship section bands here in North Wales and none of them competed, there’s also a few from other sections that would have been very nice to see them on the stage this weekend! Apart from that the National Eisteddfod of Wales has given Welsh bands a great platform and a major contest to be proud of! :clap:
Well, Wrexham Brass had a French Horn player in the cornet section. THEY MUST BE DISQUALIFIED NOW!!!!!!! Seriously, its all sillyness! How is playing a brass instrument against the rules in a brass band contest?
On a serious note, Cardiff played well and deserved the second place. Well done, especially to Brownie on Trumpet! He's come a long way since he played at the Racecourse for the Wrexham FC Supporters Band.....!
On a serious note, Cardiff played well and deserved the second place. Well done, especially to Brownie on Trumpet! He's come a long way since he played at the Racecourse for the Wrexham FC Supporters Band.....!
the shed builder
Member
i agree with most of your post, however as i have mentioned earlier in this thread this is a horrendous time for a band contest, my regular band (northop) had lots of players (including principals) on holiday. there were 5 players from Northop (including myself) depping for other bands at the eisteddfod, plus a few from Beaumaris were in action too, had we all gone there would have been no deps for anybody! in an ideal world it would be great to se all the welsh bands competing, but while its in July/august i dont think it will ever happen. Really enjoyed helping Wrexham out and it was a great well organised contest
Yes, I take your point and indeed agree with everything that you have said. But, according to the rules of the contest you should have been disqualified for using the trumpet and because prize money was involved the organisers should have taken action before the results.
I agree that the rules on using on conventional instruments are outdated but until they change bands and conductors should abide by them.
It's good to see you get away with it though!
hellraiser
Member
Really enjoyed helping Wrexham out and it was a great well organised contest
Same here, it was fun
Hey the TV camera showed your swing drumming bit, looked really cool :clap: