Members Area
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*Latest Members Area Update: October 1st
Scroll down for latest information |
*Latest Engagements Area Update: October 1st
Please add the new 2021|2022 dates to your diaries |
- Engagements Diary
All current engagements are detailed www.lewismerthyrband.com/engagements
*Dates in italic text are subject to confirmation
- Pre-Contest Rehearsals
- Rehearsals the week before every contest are Monday, Wednesday & Friday evening
- Please keep these free, in addition to the contest dates themselves
- Sectional rehearsals are always welcomed and can be arranged at any time. Contact Craig to book in a date
- Uniform
- Dress for all engagements is:
*Walking Out Uniform
All black with white shirt, band tie & the new black softshell jackets
*Stage Uniform
All black with white shirt, band bow tie & stage jacket
*Please carry stage jackets in the uniform covers, available in the bandroom, at all times
*For the band tie & bowtie, see Gareth Hanson
*The new softshell jackets now replace the navy blazers
All current engagements are detailed www.lewismerthyrband.com/engagements
*Dates in italic text are subject to confirmation
- Pre-Contest Rehearsals
- Rehearsals the week before every contest are Monday, Wednesday & Friday evening
- Please keep these free, in addition to the contest dates themselves
- Sectional rehearsals are always welcomed and can be arranged at any time. Contact Craig to book in a date
- Uniform
- Dress for all engagements is:
*Walking Out Uniform
All black with white shirt, band tie & the new black softshell jackets
*Stage Uniform
All black with white shirt, band bow tie & stage jacket
*Please carry stage jackets in the uniform covers, available in the bandroom, at all times
*For the band tie & bowtie, see Gareth Hanson
*The new softshell jackets now replace the navy blazers
Rehearsals
Following updated Welsh Government advice on the playing of wind instruments indoors, ensemble rehearsals (for up to a maximum of 30 people in a session, will resume from Monday May 17th onwards
Rehearsals will be held at the new bandroom, Trehafod Village Community Hall, Ifor Street, Trehafod, CF37 2NF Full information and additional images of the space and facilities, plus Google Street View maps of both the rehearsal room and car park are available at www.lewismerthyrband.com/new-bandroom
*Please note that parking is NOT PERMITTED on Ifor Street itself or the surrounding residential streets under any circumstances The Hall has a dedicated car park immediately to the rear at 30 Lewis Street, Trehafod, CF37 2NH
Links to the current guidance for covid safety at rehearsals, is available at www.makingmusic.org.uk/resource/can-group-get-back-in-person
Strict covid safety procedures remain in place at all times, and are outlined below
Rehearsals will be held at the new bandroom, Trehafod Village Community Hall, Ifor Street, Trehafod, CF37 2NF Full information and additional images of the space and facilities, plus Google Street View maps of both the rehearsal room and car park are available at www.lewismerthyrband.com/new-bandroom
*Please note that parking is NOT PERMITTED on Ifor Street itself or the surrounding residential streets under any circumstances The Hall has a dedicated car park immediately to the rear at 30 Lewis Street, Trehafod, CF37 2NH
Links to the current guidance for covid safety at rehearsals, is available at www.makingmusic.org.uk/resource/can-group-get-back-in-person
Strict covid safety procedures remain in place at all times, and are outlined below
Safety Procedures Reminder
As you're aware, the band has undertaken a considerable amount of work and research on covid safety, liasing closely with both Welsh Government and Public Health RCT in order to ensure a safe return to rehearsal for all who wish to do so.
The following procedures currently remain in place:
- Facemasks should be worn at all times, on arrival, departure and when not playing during rehearsals
- Bell covers are provided. These are optional for individual players to choose whether to use or not
- Digital Temperature checks will be undertaken on arrival and an attendance register kept for Track & Trace purposes
- Hand sanitisers are installed in the building and should be used on entering and leaving the building
- Once inside the building, a one way system is in place, which should be adhered to at all times
- Two metre distancing has been reduced to one metre, which should be maintained at all times
- Seats will be in place at 1 metre distances, having been placed there by a single individual, who will have worn both gloves and a facemask when doing so. The seats should not be moved
- Each member will be issued with their own music pad and collapsible music stand at the first session. These pads will have been compiled and sealed at least 72 hours in advance of the rehearsal. Members will retain their music pads and stands at the end of the rehearsal, and then take them and bring them back to each session
- Sharing of seats, stands, music and any other equipment is not permitted
- Each member should bring with them a hand towel or similar to place beneath their seats and collect condensation from their instrument. Members are then asked to place these towels in an appropriate container, which you should also bring with you, and take both the towel and container away with you at the end of each session
- Rehearsals will be limited to two 45 minute sessions, with a 15 minute break between, during which the room will be "aired" by opening the doors
- There is a serving hatch at the rear of the rehearsal room, from which tea & coffee will be served. Members are reminded to maintain 1 metre distancing when queuing for tea & coffee and / or queuing for the lavatories, and to wear face masks at all times when moving around the building during the break
- Any cups used should be left at your seats until the rehearsal end, at which time they will be collected by a single individual, wearing gloves and facemask
Again, links to the current guidance, together with music specific accompanying notes, is available at
www.makingmusic.org.uk/resource/can-group-get-back-in-person
The band's own risk assessments and advice can be found at
drive.google.com/drive/folders/1R3ZZgdMRrPeOn_B9GKAEyh-tOTAYsuWD
The following procedures currently remain in place:
- Facemasks should be worn at all times, on arrival, departure and when not playing during rehearsals
- Bell covers are provided. These are optional for individual players to choose whether to use or not
- Digital Temperature checks will be undertaken on arrival and an attendance register kept for Track & Trace purposes
- Hand sanitisers are installed in the building and should be used on entering and leaving the building
- Once inside the building, a one way system is in place, which should be adhered to at all times
- Two metre distancing has been reduced to one metre, which should be maintained at all times
- Seats will be in place at 1 metre distances, having been placed there by a single individual, who will have worn both gloves and a facemask when doing so. The seats should not be moved
- Each member will be issued with their own music pad and collapsible music stand at the first session. These pads will have been compiled and sealed at least 72 hours in advance of the rehearsal. Members will retain their music pads and stands at the end of the rehearsal, and then take them and bring them back to each session
- Sharing of seats, stands, music and any other equipment is not permitted
- Each member should bring with them a hand towel or similar to place beneath their seats and collect condensation from their instrument. Members are then asked to place these towels in an appropriate container, which you should also bring with you, and take both the towel and container away with you at the end of each session
- Rehearsals will be limited to two 45 minute sessions, with a 15 minute break between, during which the room will be "aired" by opening the doors
- There is a serving hatch at the rear of the rehearsal room, from which tea & coffee will be served. Members are reminded to maintain 1 metre distancing when queuing for tea & coffee and / or queuing for the lavatories, and to wear face masks at all times when moving around the building during the break
- Any cups used should be left at your seats until the rehearsal end, at which time they will be collected by a single individual, wearing gloves and facemask
Again, links to the current guidance, together with music specific accompanying notes, is available at
www.makingmusic.org.uk/resource/can-group-get-back-in-person
The band's own risk assessments and advice can be found at
drive.google.com/drive/folders/1R3ZZgdMRrPeOn_B9GKAEyh-tOTAYsuWD
Individual Practice Resources
Below are a few practice routines, courtesy of a few friends and colleagues, free to download
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Warming Up - Sion Rhys Jones 
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Daily Practice Routine - Chris Turner
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Six hymns with play along backing tracks
The music and backing tracks can be downloaded from:
Google Drive: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/10lPpTvh1J87tx0qBtmGYqyqjszuc0UF2?usp=sharing
Dropbox: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/aha1hgz1iv0108z/AAAQoeVUPp4gfO5GeLymHpjja?dl=0
The accompaniment videos can be found in this YouTube playlist
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiObarmr8IJ5gzv--FPIhlvD4eXBSrsJY
Backing tracks are also available (in both mp3 and WAV format) to play along with, or piano accompaniments for both Bb and Eb instruments are also included
Arban Cornet Method (Complete)
Click here to download free
Recommended Exercises (page numbers below refer to the pages in the document, not the printed page numbers)
Pg 29 - No 47
Pg 30 - No 48
Pg 34 to 36 (single tonguing)
Pg 44 - No 38 (intervals)
Pg 47 to 49 (slurs)
Pg 50 (flexibilities)
Pg 67 (scales)
Pg 84 (chromatics)
Pg 99 (key signatures)
Pg 140 (triplets)
Pg 149 - No 45 & 46
Pg 150 & 155 (key signatures)
Pg 163 (triple tonguing)
Pg 183 (double tonguing)
Pg 293 onwards (studies & air varies)
Commissioned Works
As everyone is aware, the band were awarded two Stabilisation Grants from the Arts Council of Wales to support us through the Covid19 outbreak. These awards, together with two other grants received from Welsh Government, plus those from the Moondance Foundation, Ty Cerdd and Welsh Church Act Fund, helped stabilise the band's finances through the past year and will do for some time to come. It has also enabled us to supported us in commissioning a number of new pieces of music from prominent Welsh composers
After the band's return to rehearsal from May 3rd, we'll work on and eventually record these works one at a time and make them available for public consumption online. The completed works will then be retained by the band for future performance, and bear the band's name when published
This work continues the strong history Lewis Merthyr has of commissioning, recording and promoting new music. It will also give us a basis on which to develop any of the pieces we might particularly enjoy into larger scale concert projects for the next few years, again thereby stabilising the band's finances and continuing to raise the profile of the band
Full information on the project and the individuals the band will be working with on New Directions can be found at www.lewismerthyrband.com/new-directions
In addition to the initial New Directions funding, we also had further support to commission three major works for band, which we'll now begin work on from May 3rd on. These are:
- Chris Marshall - Cofion Tonypandy: Fulling Mill Lea
- Gareth Trott - Eastern Horizons
- Gareth Wood - Under Milk Wood Suite: Rum & Laverbread
The works are intended for both concert and competition use. The band will premiere "Fulling Mill Lea" either virtually or hopefully live as part of the Rhondda Arts Festival on September 4th, 110 years to the day after the miners of the Tonypandy Strikes & Riots returned to the collieries
"Eastern Horizons" will then be the band's 2022 Porthcawl and National Eisteddfod programme, and will also be used in an event with RSVP Bhangra in July 2022
Gareth Wood's "Under Milk Wood" suite is still being written and will be premiered on International Dylan Day in May 2022.
Further information on all the new commissions can be found at www.lewismerthyrband.com/commissions
After the band's return to rehearsal from May 3rd, we'll work on and eventually record these works one at a time and make them available for public consumption online. The completed works will then be retained by the band for future performance, and bear the band's name when published
This work continues the strong history Lewis Merthyr has of commissioning, recording and promoting new music. It will also give us a basis on which to develop any of the pieces we might particularly enjoy into larger scale concert projects for the next few years, again thereby stabilising the band's finances and continuing to raise the profile of the band
Full information on the project and the individuals the band will be working with on New Directions can be found at www.lewismerthyrband.com/new-directions
In addition to the initial New Directions funding, we also had further support to commission three major works for band, which we'll now begin work on from May 3rd on. These are:
- Chris Marshall - Cofion Tonypandy: Fulling Mill Lea
- Gareth Trott - Eastern Horizons
- Gareth Wood - Under Milk Wood Suite: Rum & Laverbread
The works are intended for both concert and competition use. The band will premiere "Fulling Mill Lea" either virtually or hopefully live as part of the Rhondda Arts Festival on September 4th, 110 years to the day after the miners of the Tonypandy Strikes & Riots returned to the collieries
"Eastern Horizons" will then be the band's 2022 Porthcawl and National Eisteddfod programme, and will also be used in an event with RSVP Bhangra in July 2022
Gareth Wood's "Under Milk Wood" suite is still being written and will be premiered on International Dylan Day in May 2022.
Further information on all the new commissions can be found at www.lewismerthyrband.com/commissions
Provisional 2021 | 22 Engagements to date
All of the below are currently scheduled with the promoters and venues, and are scheduled to proceed, subject of course to continued government advice. Please add them to your diaries
Saturday September 25th
Paul & Lizzy's Wedding
The Manor Hotel, Crickhowell
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Background Music Eternal Flame Everything I Do Love Changes Everything Love Is All Around |
Service - Entrance Music - Judas Maccabeus (Thine Be The Glory) - Blaenwern (Calon Lan) - Pater Noster Soloist: Robert Sweet - A Beautiful Mind Soloist: Ffion Short - One Moment In Time |
Evening Performance (with fireworks) - - Overture: 1812 - Bohemian Rhapsody - Everybody Needs Somebody |
Tuesday October 19 to Sunday 24th OR 31st
Tour - Moscow and Ufa, Russia
Members of the band are invited to travel to Moscow and Ufa, Russia as part of Symphonic Brass Wales tour to the Russian capital and Bashkortostan Republic. Full information is available at www.lewismerthyrband.com/tours-member-info
Sunday November 8th
March & Service of Remembrance, Tonyrefail
Remembrance Service, Bridgend
Marching Engagement
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Parade and Service
10:00 Meet Tonyrefail School 10:20 Form Up 10:30 Step Off Repertoire March: Death or Glory Service: Hymn: Abide With Me (No. 29 - 2 verses - Last 4 bars intro) Last Post & Reveille Wreath Laying: *No Music Required National Anthems - God Save The Queen - Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau Departure Music: - I Vow To Thee My Country Route Tonyrefail School to Trane Cemetery 9 minute march Parking Tonyrefail School |
Marching Procedure
Verbal Instruction: "Parade - Quick March" Step Off without playing - Bass Drum only plays Bass Drum continues "Left - Left - Left, Right, Left" Arrive On Main Road - Bass Drum signal to start playing: "Double Tap - Double Tap - Left, Right, Left - Left, Right, Left" - Play March: Death or Glory Bass Drum Signal at end of phrase to stop playing "Double Tap - Double Tap - Left, Right, Left" STOP PLAYING BUT KEEP MARCHING Bass Drum continues - "Left - Left - Left, Right, Left" Keep Marching Repeat March: Death or Glory, on Bass Drum signals, as required At end of route, two syncopated Bass Drum signals then Double Tap to halt Brief pause then single bass drum double tap to fall out Reposition to concert formation |
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Repertoire
- Processional: I Vow To Thee My Country - Hymns, as required Parade Arrives, then As Parade re-positions: - Hymn: O Valiant Hearts (Supreme Sacrifice) Service - Hymn: O God Our Help (No. 79 - 5 verses - Last 4 bars & 1 beat intro) - Last Post & Reveille Wreath Laying - Hymn For The Fallen - Hymn: Abide With Me (No. 29 - no intro - verses as required) - Hymn: Eternal Father (No. 52 - 4 Verses - Last 4 bars & 1 beat intro) National Anthems: - God Save The Queen - Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau Parade Departs - Departure Music: I Vow To Thee My Country - Hymns, as required |
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Thursday December 9th
Christmas Concert
Tonyrefail School
Thursday 9th to Monday 13th December
Festive Tour
Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Premiere Performance - Chris Marshall "Freundschaft Feiern"
with the Stadtorchester Ravensburg
Oberschwabenhalle, Ravensburg, Baden-Württemberg
with the Stadtorchester Ravensburg
Oberschwabenhalle, Ravensburg, Baden-Württemberg
2022
Sunday February 13th
Wales vs Scotland Six Nations Womens Rugby
Cardiff Arms Park
Saturday February 19th
Welsh Open Entertainments Championships
Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl
Premiere Performance: Eastern Horizons
Saturday March 5th
Welsh Regional Championships
Great Hall, Swansea
Saturday March 12th
Wales vs France Six Nations Womens Rugby
Cardiff Arms Park
Saturday March 20th
Wales v Italy
Cardiff Arms Park
June 3rd to July 4th
Rhondda Arts Festival (RAFT)
Eastern Horizons
with Joji Hirota & the Japanese Taiko Drummers | RSVP Bhangra
Park & Dare Theatre, Treorchy
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World Dances
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Windows of the World
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Sunday July 10th
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Sunday August 6/7th
National Eisteddfod of Wales
Tregaron, Ceredigion
September 6 to 13
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Internationale Taptoe Belgie TBC
September 30th to October 2
Versluys Dome, Ostend
OR
October 7 to 9
De Soeverein Arena, Lommel
www.taptoebelgie.be
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Belgium International Tattoo
- Transport, meals & accommodation are provided - Performance is a 12 minute marching routine For full information, visit www.lewismerthyrband.com/tours-member-info |
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October TBC
Russia
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Hotel accommodation, meals and internal flights within Russia are provided. The cost to the individual is return flight from London to Moscow (c.£240)
For details of the last visit, visit www.symphonicbrasswales.com/russia-2018 For full information, visit www.lewismerthyrband.com/tours-member-info |
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Remembrance Sunday
Sunday November 13th
Tonyrefail School, Gilfach Rd, Tonyrefail, Porth CF39 8HG
Remembrance Sunday
Sunday November 13th
Bridgend Cenotaph
Christmas Concert
Thursday December 1st
Venue TBD
Christmas Concert
Thursday December 8th
Venue TBD
Christmas Concert
Thursday December 15th
Venue TBD
Past Member Only Recordings
Saturday February 29th
Welsh Regional Championships
Great Hall, Swansea University
Test Piece: Legacy
LMB live contest performance recording
2020 Results
1. BTM
2. Tylorstown
3. Deiniolen
4. Lewis Merthyr
5. Parc & Dare
6. Pontarddulais
7. Newport
W Llanrug
www.wrbbc.co.uk/2020-results
2. Tylorstown
3. Deiniolen
4. Lewis Merthyr
5. Parc & Dare
6. Pontarddulais
7. Newport
W Llanrug
www.wrbbc.co.uk/2020-results
Post-Contest 2021 Rankings
Tylorstown 3 + 5 + 2 = 10 PROMOTED
Deiniolen 4 + 4 + 3 = 11
BTM 6 + 7 + 1 = 14
Pontarddulais 5.5 + 3 + 6 = 14.5
Lewis Merthyr 5 + 6 + 4 = 15
Parc & Dare 5.5R + 6R + 5 = 16.5
Newport 5.5P + 6P + 7 = 18.5
Llanrug 8 + 9 + 8 = 25 RELEGATED
*Ebbw Valley relegated from Championship
*Markham and Taff Vale promoted from Second Section
Deiniolen 4 + 4 + 3 = 11
BTM 6 + 7 + 1 = 14
Pontarddulais 5.5 + 3 + 6 = 14.5
Lewis Merthyr 5 + 6 + 4 = 15
Parc & Dare 5.5R + 6R + 5 = 16.5
Newport 5.5P + 6P + 7 = 18.5
Llanrug 8 + 9 + 8 = 25 RELEGATED
*Ebbw Valley relegated from Championship
*Markham and Taff Vale promoted from Second Section
2022 Provisional Rankings
Deiniolen 4 + 3 = 7
BTM 7 + 1 = 8
Pontarddulais 3 + 6 = 9
Lewis Merthyr 6 + 4 = 10
Ebbw Valley 5.5R + 5.5R = 11
Markham 5.5P + 5.5P = 11
Parc & Dare 6R + 5 = 11
Taff Vale 5.5P + 5.5P = 11
Newport 6P + 7 = 13
www.wrbbc.co.uk/grading-tables
BTM 7 + 1 = 8
Pontarddulais 3 + 6 = 9
Lewis Merthyr 6 + 4 = 10
Ebbw Valley 5.5R + 5.5R = 11
Markham 5.5P + 5.5P = 11
Parc & Dare 6R + 5 = 11
Taff Vale 5.5P + 5.5P = 11
Newport 6P + 7 = 13
www.wrbbc.co.uk/grading-tables
Previous Recordings
Recordings of the band over the past few years can be found below
For video recordings of the band, visit the video section of the website here
For the Brass & Voices of Wales disc, visit www.lewismerthyrband.com/cd
The Brass & Voices of Wales album is also now available for download at www.lewismerthyrband.bandcamp.com
Additional videos are available on the band's YouTube channel here
For video recordings of the band, visit the video section of the website here
For the Brass & Voices of Wales disc, visit www.lewismerthyrband.com/cd
The Brass & Voices of Wales album is also now available for download at www.lewismerthyrband.bandcamp.com
Additional videos are available on the band's YouTube channel here
GBBA 2019 Recordings
Band Cymru 2018 Recordings
Band Cymru 2016 Recordings
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*As a larger file, the fourth track Peacemakers must be accessed for download via the Dropbox folder here or can be played online by clicking on the image above
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