Members Area
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*Latest Members Area Update: November 24th
Scroll down for latest information |
*Latest Engagements Area Update: November 8th
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
Rehearsals are now 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
Sectional rehearsals will be held at the Cymmer Bandroom, Office Street, CF39 9AL
*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
Sectional rehearsals will be held at the Cymmer Bandroom, Office Street, CF39 9AL
2021 | 22 Engagements to date
November 26 to 28
Recording - Burtch On Brass
Y Pant, Cowbridge Rd, Talbot Green, Pontyclun, CF72 8YQ
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Tracklist
- Paean - Wind in the Willows 1) The River Bank 2) The Open Road 3) Mole 4) The Wild Wood 5) Mr Toad - Hiraeth - Overture: Pinocchio - Spirit of Conflict - Deep Harmony |
DRAFT Order for Recording
- Paean - Overture: Pinocchio - Spirit of Conflict - Deep Harmony - Hiraeth - Wind in the Willows 1) The River Bank 2) The Open Road 3) Mole 4) The Wild Wood 5) Mr Toad |
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Schedule
Friday November 26th
3:30pm - Those available, meet at Cymmer Bandroom to transfer tubular bells
3:45pm - Those available, meet at Trehafod Bandroom to transfer percussion
5:00pm - Set-up at Y Pant
7:00pm - Soundchecks | Limited Rehearsal
Saturday November 27th
9:00am - Meet at Y Pant - warm up, tuning
Coffee breaks will be frequent. Tea & Coffee is provided
*Please bring your own packed lunch | snacks
17:00 - Close
Sunday November 28th
9:00am - Meet at Y Pant - warm up, tuning
Coffee breaks will be frequent. Tea & Coffee is provided
*Please bring your own packed lunch | snacks
17:00 - Close and return all equipment to Trehafod Bandroom
Guide Tracks
Friday November 26th
3:30pm - Those available, meet at Cymmer Bandroom to transfer tubular bells
3:45pm - Those available, meet at Trehafod Bandroom to transfer percussion
5:00pm - Set-up at Y Pant
7:00pm - Soundchecks | Limited Rehearsal
Saturday November 27th
9:00am - Meet at Y Pant - warm up, tuning
Coffee breaks will be frequent. Tea & Coffee is provided
*Please bring your own packed lunch | snacks
17:00 - Close
Sunday November 28th
9:00am - Meet at Y Pant - warm up, tuning
Coffee breaks will be frequent. Tea & Coffee is provided
*Please bring your own packed lunch | snacks
17:00 - Close and return all equipment to Trehafod Bandroom
Guide Tracks
SPIRIT OF CONFLICT - PROGRAMME NOTE
At 8.20am on the morning of Friday 22 September 1989 a large IRA bomb exploded in the North Barracks
at Deal, killing eleven young bandsmen and wounding several others. The explosion was heard two miles
in the centre of the town of Deal in Kent. The people of Deal reacted instantly: on Saturday morning, hundreds of people queued up outside the drill hall for up to four hours to donate blood for the injured bandsmen. On 2 May 1993 a memorial bandstand was erected by public subscription on Walmer Green in front of the Royal Marines Association Club in the town. The names of the ten bandsmen killed in the explosion that day and the musician who died of his injuries in October are recorded on plaques on the Memorial Bandstand. This work, Spirit of Conflict, was commissioned by the National Youth Brass Band of Wales in memory of Richard Fice, one of the band's former members. He was 22 years old when he was killed in the bombing at Deal
At 8.20am on the morning of Friday 22 September 1989 a large IRA bomb exploded in the North Barracks
at Deal, killing eleven young bandsmen and wounding several others. The explosion was heard two miles
in the centre of the town of Deal in Kent. The people of Deal reacted instantly: on Saturday morning, hundreds of people queued up outside the drill hall for up to four hours to donate blood for the injured bandsmen. On 2 May 1993 a memorial bandstand was erected by public subscription on Walmer Green in front of the Royal Marines Association Club in the town. The names of the ten bandsmen killed in the explosion that day and the musician who died of his injuries in October are recorded on plaques on the Memorial Bandstand. This work, Spirit of Conflict, was commissioned by the National Youth Brass Band of Wales in memory of Richard Fice, one of the band's former members. He was 22 years old when he was killed in the bombing at Deal
Christmas Carolling
Dec 3 to 22
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 here and 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
Details of all current dates can be found in the Engagements section of the website. Please contact Sam with availability via the Doodle Poll here and 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
Sunday 5th, 12th & 19th December
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2022
Sunday January 9th
Brass In The Bay
with Welsh National Opera | BBC NOW Symphonic Brass
BBC Hoddinott Hall, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay
Concert with WNO | BBC National Orchestra of Wales in aid of Rhys Owens and the Motor Neurone Disease Association
BBC Hoddinott Hall, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay
Programme
Prismatic Light
Ladyhawke (premiere performance)
MacArthur Park
BBC Hoddinott Hall, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay
Programme
Prismatic Light
Ladyhawke (premiere performance)
MacArthur Park
Saturday February 19th
Welsh Open Entertainments Championships
Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl
Premiere Performance: Eastern Horizons
Saturday March 19th
Welsh Regional Championships
Great Hall, Swansea
Test-Piece: Spectrum
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
April - Dates TBA
Wales Six Nations Womens Rugby International Matches
Cardiff Arms Park
April TBC
Six Nations CD Recording
Rhondda Cynon Taf
May / June Dates TBD
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June 3rd to July 4th DATE TBD
Rhondda Arts Festival (RAFT)
Eastern Horizons
with RSVP Bhangra and The Band of The Prince of Wales
Park & Dare Theatre, Treorchy TBC
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World Dances
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Windows of the World
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World Music Contest
July 8 to 10
Kerkrade, Netherlands
The World Music Contest takes place once every four years in the city of Kerkrade in the Netherlands. The band has applied to enter the 2022 event. A decision on our application should be received in December
Full information on the event and current plans is available below, together with a few videos for the event outlining the history of the festival, retrospective on the last event in 2017 and a promo for the 2022 festival
We will update everyone on the application to enter as and when we receive the formal response. Should the section (Division 2) be full, then we will instead attend the National Eisteddfod at Tregaron, Ceredigion, details of which can be found below
Full information on the event and current plans is available below, together with a few videos for the event outlining the history of the festival, retrospective on the last event in 2017 and a promo for the 2022 festival
We will update everyone on the application to enter as and when we receive the formal response. Should the section (Division 2) be full, then we will instead attend the National Eisteddfod at Tregaron, Ceredigion, details of which can be found below
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Friday July 8
Travel overnight by coach Saturday July 9 Rehearsal Possible Fringe Performance Sightseeing & Socialising Sunday July 10 Contest performance Return to Wales Repertoire Prismatic Light (Fernie) Entertainments (Vinter) Fulling Mill Lea (Marshall) wmc.nl |
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Sunday July 24th TBC
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Saturday | Sunday July 30th | 31st
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
- All transport, meals & accommodation are provided for this one - 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
Bridgend Cenotaph
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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 |
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Remembrance Sunday
Sunday November 13th
Tonyrefail School, Gilfach Rd, Tonyrefail, Porth CF39 8HG
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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 |
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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
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
Christmas Concert
Thursday December 1st
Venue TBD
Christmas Concert
Thursday December 8th
Venue TBD
Christmas Concert
Thursday December 15th
Venue TBD
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 |
Daily Practice Routine - Chris Turner
| Daily Practice Routine |
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
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)
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
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
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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