www.lewismerthyrband.com
Lewis Merthyr Band
  • About
    • Musical Director
    • Personnel
    • Donate with Amazon
  • News
  • Engagements
    • Book The Band
    • Tours >
      • Current Tours
      • Belgium 2019
  • Media
    • All Media
    • Audio
    • Video
    • Images
    • YouTube Channel
    • Downloads
    • Brass and Voices of Wales
    • The Glory of Christmas
  • History
    • Band History
    • Historical Images
    • Vintage Video
    • Conductors
    • The Collieries
  • Commissions
    • Commissions to date
    • Broadcasts
    • Significant Works
    • New Directions
    • Fulling Mill Lea
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Rehearsal Rooms
    • Constitution
    • Rules
    • Annual Awards
    • Life Members
    • Youth Band
    • Donate with Amazon

Members Area

*Latest Members Area Update: May 15th
​

*Current repertoire also updated May 21st - click here for full list
*Latest Engagements Area Update: May 15th
​
​Please ensure all updated 2023 dates are correct and added to diaries

​- Engagements Diary

All current engagements are detailed www.lewismerthyrband.com/engagements


*Dates in italic text are subject to confirmation

*If you cannot make any engagements or rehearsals, please let both Sam know in advance

Thank You
​
- 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

- Uniform

- Dress for all engagements is:


Walking Out Uniform
All black with white shirt, band tie & black softshell jackets


Stage Uniform
All black with white shirt, band bow tie & stage jacket


Uniform for percussion is all-black

*Please carry stage jackets in the uniform covers, available in the bandroom, at all times

*If you require any items of uniform, see Rhiannon

2023 Engagements

Wednesday June 28
From Washington to Wales
with Tacoma Concert Band (Seattle, Washington, USA)
St Elvan's, Aberdare
​7:30pm

Lewis Merthyr Band (15 mins)
Back to the Future
Smile
Ice Castles
Lone Ranger

Tacoma (25 mins)

Interval

Choir (10 mins)
Tacoma (20 mins)
Massed Bands (10 mins)

Star Wars
Stars & Stripes Forever
(-) Shenandoah [with choir?]
Picture

August 5 | 6 
National Eisteddfod of Wales
​Entertainments Programme

DRAFT Programme

​- Back to the Future [4:00]
- Smile [3:35]
Soloist: Mark Wilkes
- A Spin Through Moscow [2:45]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Q8ewXCg5Zk
- Misty Mountains Cold (from The Hobbit) [2:55]
www.youtube.com/watch?v=deytSvL81KU
- Finale from The Lone Ranger [5:20]


Total: c.18:35

September 4 to 11
Estes Park International Tattoo 
Colorado, USA
www.epitattoo.com

Picture
Picture
An invitation to the 2023 Estes Park International Tattoo in Colorado, USA has been confirmed

Accommodation, meals and surface transport in Colorado are all provided and further information and further information on these is available at www.epitattoo.com/cast-info *The password for access is EstesParkTattoo

​The cost to the individual members wishing to attend is return flight from London to Denver (c.£585 at present)

For further information on the Tattoo and wider festival, visit www.epitattoo.com and ​www.scotfest.com

Saturday October 21st
​Oriana Festival
St Elvan's, Aberdare

​Afternoon Recital & Album Launch
Burtch on Brass
​13:15 start


​Programme

- Paean
- Hiraeth
- Overture: Pinocchio 
- Wind In The Willows [Mole & Mr Toad]
- Spirit of Conflict
- Deep Harmony (with organ)
Picture
CRoberts100 · Mervyn Burtch: "Paean" (First Broadcast) 1982

Evening Gala Concert
with Deuos (Claire Jones, Harp | Chris Marshall, Percussion
​19:00 start


​Programme

- Williams: Fanfare & National Anthem [premiere]

- Wood: The Prayer from Under Milk Wood Suite - Rum & Laverbread [premiere]
- TOWN CHURCH SCHOOL CHOIR

- Marshall: TNT [premiere] 
- Wood: Concerto for Harp & Brass Band [Mvt III]
​- Marshall: Fulling Mill Lea [UK premiere]


- The Lone Ranger
- Trott: Aberfan 1966 [premiere] *with School Choir

- DEUOS: SOLO PERFORMANCE
- Libertango [with Deuos] 3:30
- Riverdance [with Deuos] 6:30
Picture
Camerata Wales | Cymru · Under Milk Wood Suite "Rum & Laverbread" III) Prayer - Gareth Wood

Remembrance Sunday
Sunday November 12th
Bridgend Cenotaph

Seated Engagement
Arrive 10:00

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

Remembrance Sunday
Sunday November 12th
​Tonyrefail School, Gilfach Rd, Tonyrefail, Porth CF39 8HG

Parade and Service
10:00 Meet Tonyrefail School
10:20 Form Up
10:30 Step Off
​

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


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

Christmas Carolling
Dec 1 to 24
​Various Locations

Christmas Carolling is undertaken in groups of six or more at multiple locations throughout December. It's one of the band's main sources of income, and - despite our relatively healthy bank balance at present - it's important we look ahead and keep that balance healthy. Carolling is also of course a good way to keep the band visible in, and supportive of, the local community

Details of all current dates can be found in the Engagements section of the website. Please contact Sam with availability via the Doodle Poll which will be placed here in November. Please give full availability in order that we can distribute the jobs fairly and evenly. You won't be asked to commit to every date you provide availability for

​Diolch | Thank you

A Christmas Night at the Movies
Thursday December 7th
​Tonyrefail School
with Tonyrefail School Choir & Soloists

Picture
Back to the Future
Ice Castles
Frozen

Skyfall
Jurassic Park

Superman
It's Not Unusual

E.T.
Pirates of the Caribbean

Star Wars
​Jingle Bells


The Glory of Christmas
Saturday December 9th
​St Elvan's, Aberdare
with Dare To Sing Ladies Choir

Carol: Hark the Herald
Town Church School Choir
Walking in The Air
Dare To Sing Ladies Choir
Santaclaustraphobia

Schneewalzer
Town Church School Choir

Symphonic Highlights from Frozen
Dare To Sing Ladies Choir

A Christmas Fantasy
Carol: O Come All Ye Faithful

Sunday 10th & 17th December
Two performances - 14:00 & 16:30
The Snowman - Live!
St Elvan's, Aberdare

​Wassail TBC
Santaclaustraphobia
Frozen
The Snowman - Full Score
Jingle Bells


www.ticketsource.co.uk/stelvans

Box Office: 0333 666 4466

For dates of all additional engagements to date, visit www.lewismerthyrband/engagements


2024

Saturday February 17th TBC
Welsh Open Entertainments Championships
​Riverfront Theatre, Newport

Entertainments Programme - The Lord of the Rings
- Intro: Gandalf
- Hobbits
- Gollum's Song
- Misty Mountains Cold
- Finale: Gandalf


​Saturday March 16th
Welsh Regional Championships
Brangwyn Hall, Swansea
Test-Piece: TBA

​
13:00 Rehearsal 

Briton Ferry Bandroom
nr. Vernon Place & Regent St West
Briton Ferry
Neath Port Talbot
SA11 2PL

Directions: 
goo.gl/maps/Xk9MbuooEzGJ1zs4A


The bandroom is located in Briton Ferry near the old Llansawel Primary School at Vernon Place. You can find it at the bottom of the lane whose entry is located near the meeting of Vernon Place and Regent St West, opposite the side gate of the old school building

*Please park on the main road - do not enter the lane to the bandroom itself*


2023 Contest Timings
15:00 Draw

16:30 Band Number 1 backstage
17:00 Band Number 1 commences. Total number of bands are detailed below
Brangwyn Hall, Guildhall Rd S, Swansea SA1 4PE

Curry Timings
​20:30 Panshee, Swansea
29 Singleton St, Swansea SA1 3QN
pansheeswansea.co.uk
Menu

pansheeswansea.co.uk/menu​

2023 Welsh Regional Result & Final Rankings

Ebbw Valley 4R + 2 + 1 = 7 [PROMOTED]
BTM 1 + 3 + 4 = 8
Beaumaris 4 + 4 + 2 = 10
Goodwick 4R + 4R + 3 = 11
Lewis Merthyr 4 + 4 + 5 = 13
Burry Port 4R + 4R + 7 = 15 
Parc & Dare 5 + 5 + 6 = 16
Deiniolen 3 + 6 + 8 = 17
Markham 4P + 7 + 9 = 20 [RELEGATED]
​
www.wrbbc.co.uk/grading-tables

DRAFT 2024 Grading Table

Beaumaris 4 + 2 = 6
BTM 3 + 4 = 7
Goodwick 4R + 3 = 7
Abergavenny 4P + 4P = 8
Northop 4R + 4R = 8

Lewis Merthyr 4 + 5 = 9
Burry Port 4R + 7 = 11 
Parc & Dare 5 + 6 = 11
Deiniolen 6 + 8 = 14
www.wrbbc.co.uk/grading-tables
Picture


Individual Practice Resources

Below are a few practice routines, courtesy of a few friends and colleagues, free to download
​Warming Up - Sion Rhys Jones
Straight Forward Warm Up Routine
File Size: 95 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


​Daily Practice Routine - Chris Turner
Daily Practice Routine
File Size: 5300 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


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)


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

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


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

GBBA 2019 Recordings


Band Cymru 2018 Recordings


Band Cymru 2016 Recordings

01_home_of_legends.m4a
File Size: 6528 kb
File Type: m4a
Download File

02_whirlwind.m4a
File Size: 5040 kb
File Type: m4a
Download File

03_abide_with_me.m4a
File Size: 4800 kb
File Type: m4a
Download File

*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
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.