Members Area
*Latest Members Area Update: November 29th
*Current repertoire list updated November 29th - please ensure you now have a complete Christmas pad plus High Peak - click here for full details All additional music should have now been returned to the bandroom |
*Latest Engagements Area Update: November 29th
Please ensure all updated 2023 | 24 dates are correct and added to your diaries. Up to date information is available via Spond |
- 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
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
Remaining 2023 Engagements
Christmas Engagements
Dec 1 to 24
Various Locations
This year we have an increased number of formal Christmas engagements, with a reduced amount of carolling sessions to compensate
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 is also of course a good way to keep the band visible in, and supportive of, the local community
With the increased number of formal Christmas concert this year, carolling has been kept to a minimum, but has been retained at a number of key locations and dates for the above reasons
Details of all Christmas dates, in calendar order, can be found in the Engagements section of the website and are also listed below, separated into formal full band concerts and small ensemble carolling engagements
Please respond with your availability via Spond, or an email to Sam if preferred, and please do give full availability in order that we can distribute the carolling fairly and evenly. You won't be asked to commit to every carolling date you provide availability for
Diolch | Thank you
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 is also of course a good way to keep the band visible in, and supportive of, the local community
With the increased number of formal Christmas concert this year, carolling has been kept to a minimum, but has been retained at a number of key locations and dates for the above reasons
Details of all Christmas dates, in calendar order, can be found in the Engagements section of the website and are also listed below, separated into formal full band concerts and small ensemble carolling engagements
Please respond with your availability via Spond, or an email to Sam if preferred, and please do give full availability in order that we can distribute the carolling fairly and evenly. You won't be asked to commit to every carolling date you provide availability for
Diolch | Thank you
CHRISTMAS CONCERTS
The Glory of Christmas
Saturday December 9th, 7:00pm
St Elvan's, Aberdare
with Dare To Sing Ladies Choir
- Midnight Sleighride
- Carol: Hark the Herald - Polar Express Town Church School Choir Love Shone Down The Song of the Winter Wind The Gift - Three Kings Swing - O Holy Night Dare To Sing A Million Dreams Silent Night Joy to the World - Frozen - Carol: O Come All Ye Faithful - Schneewalzer Dare To Sing Chapel of Love Winter Wonderland Holly Jolly Christmas - It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year - Frosty the Snowman Town Church School Choir Sisialau'r Awel Fwyn (Wind through the Olive Trees) Mary had a Baby Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen) - Christmas Festival (-) Jingle Bells |
Sunday 10th & 17th December
Two performances - 14:00 & 16:30
The Snowman - Live!
St Elvan's, Aberdare
All I Want For Christmas Is You
Frozen Santaclaustraphobia Polar Express The Snowman - Full Score Jingle Bells www.ticketsource.co.uk/stelvans Box Office: 0333 666 4466 |
|
A Christmas Night at the Movies
Wednesday December 13th
St John’s, Cymmer
with Tonyrefail School Choir

CANCELLED
Thursday December 14th
Christmas Service
Coychurch Crematorium
Carol: Once in Royal David’s City – organist only accompanying congregation
- Midnight Sleighride
- When A Child Is Born
Carol: Joy to the World (No 47 - 3 verses plus intro)
- Three Kings Swing
- Polar Express
Address
- It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
- Frozen
Carol: O Come All Ye Faithful - organist only accompanying congregation
- Santaclaustraphobia
- Christmas Festival
Carol: Hard the Herald - organist only accompanying congregation
- Exit Music - Jingle Bells
- Midnight Sleighride
- When A Child Is Born
Carol: Joy to the World (No 47 - 3 verses plus intro)
- Three Kings Swing
- Polar Express
Address
- It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
- Frozen
Carol: O Come All Ye Faithful - organist only accompanying congregation
- Santaclaustraphobia
- Christmas Festival
Carol: Hard the Herald - organist only accompanying congregation
- Exit Music - Jingle Bells
Tuesday & Wednesday December 19th & 20th
*SOLD OUT*
Carols By Candlelight
Heritage Park Hotel, Trehafod
- Midnight Sleighride
- Carol: Hark the Herald
- Polar Express
Vocalist
- Three Kings Swing
- Carol: We Three Kings
- O Holy Night
- Frozen
- Carol: O Come All Ye Faithful
- Schneewalzer
- Carol: Good King Wenceslas
- It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
Vocalist
- Feliz Navidad
- Frosty the Snowman
- Santaclaustraphobia
- Christmas Festival
- Jingle Bells
- Carol: Hark the Herald
- Polar Express
Vocalist
- Three Kings Swing
- Carol: We Three Kings
- O Holy Night
- Frozen
- Carol: O Come All Ye Faithful
- Schneewalzer
- Carol: Good King Wenceslas
- It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
Vocalist
- Feliz Navidad
- Frosty the Snowman
- Santaclaustraphobia
- Christmas Festival
- Jingle Bells
CHRISTMAS CAROLLING
*Small Ensemble Engagements*
Sunday December 3rd
Christmas Carols
Tonyrefail Community School
*Ensemble Engagement*
Saturday December 16th
Christmas Carols
Asda, Coryton
*Ensemble Engagement*
Monday December 18th
Christmas Carols
Asda, Tonypandy
*Ensemble Engagement*
Saturday December 23rd
Christmas Carols
St David's 2, Cardiff
*Ensemble Engagement*
*Small Ensemble Engagements*
Sunday December 3rd
Christmas Carols
Tonyrefail Community School
*Ensemble Engagement*
Saturday December 16th
Christmas Carols
Asda, Coryton
*Ensemble Engagement*
Monday December 18th
Christmas Carols
Asda, Tonypandy
*Ensemble Engagement*
Saturday December 23rd
Christmas Carols
St David's 2, Cardiff
*Ensemble Engagement*
For dates of all additional engagements to date, visit www.lewismerthyrband/engagements
Engagements 2024
Saturday January 20th
Band Dinner
Bunch of Grapes, Pontypridd TBC
Band Dinner
Bunch of Grapes, Pontypridd TBC
February 24
Regional Workshop
with Guest Conductor & City of Bristol Band
St Michael On The Mount, Bristol
Regional Workshop
with Guest Conductor & City of Bristol Band
St Michael On The Mount, Bristol
Monday March 4th
Regional Championships Rehearsal
with David Hurst
Bandroom
Regional Championships Rehearsal
with David Hurst
Bandroom
Saturday March 16th
Welsh Regional Championships
Brangwyn Hall, Swansea
Test-Piece: High Peak
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
2024 timings TBC when known
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
2024 timings TBC when known
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 |
Saturday May 18th
Oriana Festival
St Elvan's, Aberdare
Afternoon Concert
Lord of the Rings
Massed Bands with City of Bristol Band
- Gandalf
- Hobbits
- May It Be
- Gollum's Song
- King Under The Mountain
- Misty Mountains Cold
- Mirkwood [premiere]
- An Age of Kings
- Hobbits
- May It Be
- Gollum's Song
- King Under The Mountain
- Misty Mountains Cold
- Mirkwood [premiere]
- An Age of Kings
Evening Gala Concert
with Rhondda Symphony Orchestra
Under Milk Wood Suite (Gareth Wood)
- Rum & Laverbread [premiere]
Saturday July 13th
The Wrong Trousers
St Elvan's, Aberdare
Sunday August 4th
National Eisteddfod of Wales
Ynysangharad Park, Pontypridd
Entertainments Programme
The Lord of the Rings
- Intro: Gandalf
- Hobbits
- May It Be OR Gollum's Song
- King Under The Mountain
- Misty Mountains Cold
- Finale: Gandalf
The Lord of the Rings
- Intro: Gandalf
- Hobbits
- May It Be OR Gollum's Song
- King Under The Mountain
- Misty Mountains Cold
- Finale: Gandalf
Remembrance Sunday
Sunday November 12th
Bridgend Cenotaph (seated)
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
(Road March & Service)
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 2 x 3 pace rolls
Band segue into March: Death or Glory
Music rounds out, Bass Drum continues "Left - Left - Left, Right, Left"
Bass Drum signal to resume - 2 x 3 pace rolls - Band segue back into March: Death or Glory
Bass Drum signal to end - "Double Tap - Double Tap - Left, Right, Left"
STOP PLAYING BUT KEEP MARCHING
Bass Drum continues - "Left - Left - Left, Right, Left"
Keep Marching, wheel right into Trane Cemetary
Vocal signal to halt - brief pause then second vocal instruction to “Fall Out” and 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
Verbal Instruction: "Parade - Quick March"
Step Off without playing - Bass Drum only plays 2 x 3 pace rolls
Band segue into March: Death or Glory
Music rounds out, Bass Drum continues "Left - Left - Left, Right, Left"
Bass Drum signal to resume - 2 x 3 pace rolls - Band segue back into March: Death or Glory
Bass Drum signal to end - "Double Tap - Double Tap - Left, Right, Left"
STOP PLAYING BUT KEEP MARCHING
Bass Drum continues - "Left - Left - Left, Right, Left"
Keep Marching, wheel right into Trane Cemetary
Vocal signal to halt - brief pause then second vocal instruction to “Fall Out” and 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
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: |
Daily Practice Routine - Chris Turner

Daily Practice Routine | |
File Size: | 5300 kb |
File Type: |
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
![]()
|
![]()
|
![]()
|
*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
|