Farewells

As you can see from the new committee the band has had to elect two new positions.

After 22 years (I hope I've got that right !!) of being the Rogerstone Band Chairlady, Jenny Giles has decided to step down from the chair but remain on the committee. We are very gratefull for all of Jenny's hard work and owe her a big thank you !!

Also a big thank you to Steve Heycox who left the band as a player and secretary a while back to return to his home band Tylorstown. Steve put a lot of hard work in for the band and I'm sure no one will forget the Ireland tour in a hurry !!!

New Committee

After our AGM of 2008 a new committee has been chosen.

Chairman- Doug Davies       

Secretary- Sarah Cook        

Treasurer- Peter Roberts

Band Manager- Julian Shepard

Junior Band Manager/Conductor- Darren Blakemore

General committee-

Ben Roberts

Lara Jones

Tudor Davies

Garnet Probyn

Jenny Giles

Robert Giles

Third Place At The Area !!

Although experiencing difficult times with player numbers, we still managed a creditable third place at Swansea on March 8^th. Many congratulations go to our conductor, Mark Hutcherson, who put in so much hard work prior to the contest, often working with an incomplete band.

The second movement was played impeccably on the day, and Mark’s interpretation was absolutely spot on. It is a shame that with only 8 cornets on stage we slightly ran out of steam during the third movement, with some inevitably tired playing.

Congratulations go to Point of Ayr Band, who after being re-graded into second section played well to gain first place. Good luck to both them and Tylorstown at the finals.

New Resident Conductor

It is with great delight that we can announce that Mark Hutcherson has taken over the baton as Resident Conductor. Mark, who boasts an illustrious career as a renowned exponent of the Euphonium, takes charge this week. He has however already worked with the band for several months, and has become a great favourite with the players. We look forward to Treorchy, where Mark will make his debut with us on the contest stage.

5th At Burry Port Contest

At the weekend the band performed at the SWEBBA contest at Burry Port Memorial Hall and came a disappointing 5th place after performing a very good performance of Resurgum.  The band were taken on the day by well known and respected welsh conductor Brian Buckley.
Full results were:
1. Markham & District (N. Seaman) - 191pts
2. Pontardulais (P. Jenkins) - 190pts
3. Briton Ferry (Dr. C. Jenkins) - 189pts
4. RAF St Athan (A. Bourne) - 188pts
5. Rogerstone (C.B. Buckley) - 186pts
6. Lewis Merthyr (G. Pritchard) - 185pts
7. Ammanford Town (J. Thomas) - 184pts

Adjudicator: Steve Prtichard-Jones

Many congratulations go to Markham on their fine winning performance.
 

Gwent Solo and Quartet Contest

Congratulations go to all of the Rogerstone Players who performed at the recent Solo and Quartet Competition, run by the Music Support Service at Newport YMCA. Special mention goes Ben Roberts, who won the under 15 Slow Melody section, Lara Jones, who was second in the under 17 Air Varie group, and to the 'Hornblowers', comprising Abbie Jones, Kate Gittins, Sarah Cooke and Lara Jones, who won the open Quartet class. The day turned out to be a great success, with Bob Childs and Richard Marshall not only adjudicating, but entertaining the crowd with some fine playing. Hopefully this event will become an annual one.

4^th at Ebbw Vale Contest

At the weekend the band performed at the SWEBBA contest at Ebbw Vale Leisure Centre and credited themselves with a well earned 4^th place in a strong line up.  The band were taken on the day by well known welsh trombonist Jon Pippen.  The band now hope to carry the well earned result to the Weston-Super-Mare Contest next week.

Full Results 1^st Section:

1. Pontardulais Town (P. Jenkins) – 191
2. RAF St Athan Voluntary (A. Bourne) – 189
3. Lewis Merthyr (N/K) – 188
4. Rogerstone (J. Pippen) – 187
5. Briton Ferry (Dr. C. Jenkins) – 186
6. Ammanford Town (C. Hogg) – 185

Adjudicator: Alan Fernie
Best Instrumentalist: David Bateman – (soprano) Lewis Merthyr

The band would like to congratulate the Pontardulais band on their win.

New Resident Conductor Takes Up The Baton 

Rogerstone Band are proud to annouce that Stewart Crawford has accepted the position of Resident Conductor with band.  Stewart will work along side the band's Professional Conductor Mr Brian Buckley.  Stewart is little known as a conductor as he has only be conducting for 2 years but proved a hit with the band.  Stewart is a former tenor horn player of both the Standshawe and Point of Ayr bands.

Swansea National Qualifying Contest

After a lot of hard work by the band and Brian, the band deservingly came 4th in a very strong and competitive section.  The band will take the confidence gain with this result into the Ebbw Vale contest in 2 months time.  The winners at the contest were Newbridge and the band would like to pass on their congratulations and best wishes for the National Finals later on in the year.

Gareth Hann Resigns

It is with great regret that Mr Gareth Hann has decided to resign as Resident Conductor with the band due to work and family commitments.
Gareth's last contest with the band will be the Regional Competition in Swansea where he won't be conducting but actually playing Principal Cornet for the band on the day. Gareth has also decided to remain registered with the band as a super sub for those times of need. The band would like to wish Gareth and his family all the very best for the future.