Welsh Open Title Defence

The band kicked off its 2023 contesting season, hoping to defend its title of ‘Welsh Open Champions’, with an appearance at the Welsh Open Entertainment Contest, held at The Riverfront in Newport on February 18th 2023.

Welsh Open 2023
Pontardulais Town Band
Photo credit: Welsh Open Brass Band Entertainment Championship Facebook

Fourteen Championship and First Section bands competed, with adjudicator Glyn Williams given the task of selecting a winner. Unfortunately, the band was unable to hold onto the CISWO Challenge Trophy, but was pleased with its performance, once again narrated by radio DJ and local Swansea personality, Kev Johns. The band choose to present the following programme:

  • A Fantasy of Joy, Fredrick Schjelderup
  • O Verona, Craigh Armstrong arr. Philip Harper
  • Banana Island, Etienne Crausaz
  • Ar Lan y Môr, Welsh Traditional arr. Leigh Baker
  • Enchanted Kingdom, Paul Lovatt-Cooper

Full results for the contest ar shown below.

PositionBandConductorDrawPoints
1Ebbw Valley BrassGareth Ritter12198
2Llwydcoed BandJoshua Ruck7197
3City of Cardiff (M1) BandChris Bond14196
4Burry Port Town BandAndrew Jones13194
5Parc & Dare BandDewi Griffiths2193
6Brunel BrassDaniel Hall5192
7Filton Concert BrassNathan Jenkins3191
8Tongwynlais Temperance BandOwen Farr9190
9Pontardulais Town BandPaul Jenkins4189
10Jackfield Brass BandRyan Richards10188
11Michelmersh Silver BandMelvin White11187
12Tylorstown BandGary Davies8186
13B. T. M. BandJeff Hutcherson6185
14Lewis Merthyr BandCraig Roberts1184

Highest Placed First Section Band not in Prizes: B. T. M. Band

Most Entertaining Stage Presentation: Llwydcoed Band

Best Soloist: Philip Howells – Xylophone (Ebbw Valley Brass)

Best Cornet Player: Andrew Smith (Llwydcoed Band)

4BR Best Soprano Player: Tom King (Llwydcoed Band)

Best Horn Section: Brunel Brass

Best Percussion Section: Ebbw Valley Brass

Youngest Instrumentalist: Sioned Evans (Burry Port)

Invitation to compete at the 2023 Spring Festival: Burry Port