History of the Band
The Rogerstone Band was formed in 1948, initially as a wind band, but soon converted wholly to brass. Under its first conductors, Mr Tom Morgan and Mr Sam Roberts, the band maintained a steady progression from 4th section to 2nd section by the late 1960s. Following the untimely death of 'Sam', the baton passed to Mr Brian Buckley. Building on these strong foundations, 1970 saw the band achieve a record of twelve 1st and two 2nd prizes from fourteen local and national contests. The jewel in the crown being the title of 'Second Section Champion Band of Great Britain'. The following year, the band won the 1st section at the Welsh Area Championships, qualifying for its first appearance at the Royal Albert Hall and also gained 3rd place at the European Championships, held in Brussels.
Two further appearances were made in the first section if the National Championships, before a steady change in fortunes and personnel; saw the band moving back to the 2nd section. In 1992 and 1993 the band again qualified to represent Wales at the National Championships, in London, and gained a short-lived promotion back to the 1st section.
In 2000, the band once again qualified to represent Wales, at the National Championships and managed to regain National and Local 1st Section status. At the end of 2001, the band were joint runners-up in Wales. We remained however in the 1st section for only two years and were once again relegated to the 2nd Section.
In 2008 we appointed our present conductor Jamie Jones. Jamie is a talented and extremely enthusiastic young man. Under his baton we won all three Welsh contests in 2009 and we were promoted once again to the 1st Section as Welsh Champions. We have consolidated our place in this section, already gaining a second place in the first of the three contests this year. Could next year mark our return to Championship Section after a break of 26 years? Watch this space.
In 2007 the band achieved charitable status, and since that time has redoubled its efforts in supporting both local and national charities. The band works hard to encourage young players via its junior and learner sections. With a mixture of enthusiastic young and not so young players, we are able to continue with our aim, to make The Rogerstone Band a more potent force in the brass band world.
