News
WELSH CHAMPIONS!
The band became first section Champion Band of Wales on Saturday after winning at the final SEWBBA Contest of the year at Blaenavon. It was a comfortable win with a 2 point gap to the second band, the home team Blaenavon. The day ended as a clean sweep as the band was not only awarded the First Place Trophy and the Champion Band Trophy but also the Soloists’ Trophy, that went to Tom Powell, the Eb bass player. The MD Jamie Jones was over the moon, with a Champion Band after only one year as conductor. Everyone in the band is so proud of Jamie, his leadership has proved to be truly inspirational.
A slight edge was taken off the celebrations, as the solo horn player, Lara Jones played her last contest with the band, as she now lives in Birmingham, where she is in university. Everyone wishes Lara the very best with her studies, and every success in the future. We are sure she will return to the band at her earliest opportunity.
Although it has been a great year so far, there is no rest for the band, as they have a concert this Friday and are featuring at Castell Coch next weekend at the Christmas celebrations. A busy time ahead!
First Section Results:
- Rogerstone (Jamie Jones) – 189
- Blaenavon Town (Andrew Jones) – 187
- RAF St Athan (Alan Bourne) – 185
- Penclawdd (Tony Small) – 184
- Briton Ferry (Dr Christian Jenkins) - 183
Adjudicator: C. Brian Buckley
Best Instrumentalist: Eb tuba (Rogerstone)
Pontin’s Weekend
The band enjoyed a largely fine weekend at Prestatyn, with a creditable performance gaining seventh place in the 2nd Section. The early morning draw that saw them gathering at 8am, was a little daunting, but everyone coped very well on stage.
The day started badly when the Band Manager had to borrow a cornet off the trade stand, as he had left his instrument at the rehearsal venue in Rhyl the evening before! I’m sure that he will be sporting a slightly embarrassed demeanour at rehearsal this week! Grateful thanks go to Brass Band Supplies for the loan of a cornet and to Tylorstown band for the loan of the mutes.
Our thanks also go to Liz Richards of Tylorstown, who so ably helped out on the day. Thanks also to Rhiannon Hayes and Nick Sheppard, Flugel and Cornet, who both played brilliantly, despite their limited rehearsal time with us.
Everyone is looking forward now to our final contest of the year at Blaenavon, and to a concert in late November with The High Cross Junior School choir.
RESULTS
1. Oldham (Lees) John Collins, 13
2. Rainford, Neil Samuel, 16
3. Oddfellows Brass, Robert Boulter, 9
4. Hoover Bolton, Trevor Halliwell, 10
5. Barnsley Building Society, Rob Straw, 6
6. Tylorstown, Garry Davies, 1
7. Rogerstone, Jamie Jones, 3
8. Kippax, David Lancaster, 11
9. Tintwistle, Peter Denton, 8
10. Flixton, Alan Hobbins, 15
11. United Co-op 2000 Brass, Jamie Meredith, 2
12. Littleport, Nigel Bramley, 7
13. Silk Brass (Macclesfield), James Cant, 12
14. Haslington and Helmshore, David Holland, 14
15. Deiniolen, Gavin Saynor, 5
What A Performance!
The band gained its first win under the baton of Jamie Jones on Saturday at Burry Port. It was an emphatic first place, a clear 3 points over the next band. With his leadership over the past 12 months, the band has gone from strength to strength, gaining better and better contest results at each successive outing. To make it a clean sweep, Jamie also won the best conductor’s award and Kate Blakemore took the soloist’s prize on Euphonium. Celebrations will be short lived though, as the Pontins’ weekend is looming large, with only two weeks to rehearse the test piece ‘Danceries’.
First Section Results:
1. Rogerstone (J. Jones) – 190
2. Penclawdd Brass (T. Small) – 187
3. Briton Ferry Silver (Dr C. Jenkins) – 184
4. RAF St Athan (A. Bourne) – 183
Two New Signings
The band is pleased to announce another two signings to further strengthen our already revitalised ranks. Kate Beckett has taken up the empty Solo Cornet chair, and Calum Greenhalgh has joined on Tenor Trombone. Both players will make their contest debuts with us at the Burry Port contest on October the 10th. Kate, who has helped out before at rehearsals also plays for The Usk Band, where she sits as Principal. Calum hails from Severn Tunnel Band, although he hasn’t played for them for some time. Both players are very welcome, and will make a very positive addition to Rogerstone Band.
Cool Rogerstone festival
The band played a two hour long program at the Rogerstone Festival on Bank Holiday Monday, despite a chilly wind that blew through the stand. Although a few players were on holiday, some very talented and attractive deps filled the seats. Thanks go to Lea and daughter Jess Jones and Kate and Cerys Beckett. Thanks also go to Steve Evans who helped out on the front row.
The park program was well received by the crowd, especially the evergreen and ever popular ‘Teddy Bear’s Picnic’.
I’m afraid there were not too many Teddy Bears at the festival though. The temperature was far more suited to polar bears!
The band is now looking forward to a trip to the Wychavon Contest later in September, and is focussed on a twenty minute entertainment program. With contests at Burry Port, Pontin’s and Treorchy to follow, it will be a very busy end to the year, not forgetting Christmas carols of course!
CHAOS AT THE BAND ROOM
There was a chaotic scene outside the bandroom last night, just before rehearsal began. An unknown young lady, pictured pretending to be an innocent bystander, left her car straddling both lanes of the road. An onlooker said "She was OK when she was driving forwards, but as soon as she reversed, there was carnage!". It appears that she made good her escape during the general melee that took place just after the incident.
Wreckage of vehicles, uprooted trees, instruments and music were strewn across the road. The emergency services could do little to help after being overwhelmed with such a catastrophe. Luckily no one was seriously hurt.
The police are hunting for a young lady, described as being very attractive, about 5' 3" and between 17 and 19 years of age. There was a suggestion that she is a horn player. Now I wonder who that could be?
Rogerstone Band at Full Strength
After the return from university of Becky Cook, and the recent signings of Ellie Holland (Sop), Bonnie Carmichael (Back Row), Jeff Jones (Flug) and Ian James (Bb Bass), Rogerstone Band have completed their line up for the rest of the year.
Jamie Jones, their up and coming young Conductor, is thrilled at the prospect of the forthcoming contest at Wychavon. He said “Only three months ago we took the stage at Ebbw Vale with only twenty two brass players. The band has gained so much more confidence with the addition of these new players”.
The band has also seen the re-signing of Steve Haycox, after two years absence, to complete a first class percussion line up.
With the Burry Port and Treorchy contests coming up, punctuated by a trip to Pontins, Rogerstone Band is a very busy, but a very good place to be.
Another New Signing
The Rogerstone Band are delighted to announce the signing of a phenomenal player to strengthen the ranks. Jeff Jones has joined the band after 20 years service with Abergavenny Band. When playing with Aber, Jeff won many soloist prizes at competitions. Before settling in south Wales Jeff had a lengthy spell as an Army Musician playing for Royal Welch Fusiliers Band. Since leaving the Army, Jeff has taken over as the conductor of the Usk Youth Brass Band. Since he took over the MD position a few years ago, Jeff along with wife Lea has transformed the band leading the band too numerous victories in contests. Jeff is the father of Rogerstone's MD Jamie, and he will now fill the vacant Flugel position. MD Jamie says
"I'm am so happy to welcome my dad to the band, he has taught me so much when I have played underneath him. He really is an inspirational musician who will be gladly welcomed by this friendly band. I genuinely hope that he can start enjoying playing again and without doubt I know he will raise the standard of the band."
As well as playing flugel with Rogi, Jeff will also continue to conduct the usk youth brass band and everyobody in Rogerstone wishes him and the band all the success in the future. The Rogerstone Band look forward to one day performing in a massed bands concert with this exciting and extremely talented youth band.
National Service!
The Rogerstone Band recently sent no fewer than three members to the National Youth Brass Band of Wales course held in Bangor at the end of July.
Solo Horn, Lara Jones
1st Baritone, Ben Roberts
Eb Bass, Thomas Howells
The band are delighted to see these young players represent their country at such a high level. MD James Jones was also on the course playing euphonium. Each of the players had to pass an audition to be considered for the band. This was a particualry special year as it was MD, Prof. Robert Childs' last course with the band.
Rogerstone have always had a strong youth policy and this has proven itself to be a major driving force throughout the bands success over recent years.
Many of the members of Rogerstone Band are also involved with the Greater Gwent county Service and Rogerstone will always promote its younger players.
To find out more about the youth band or learning to play an instrument please go to our Junior Band page.
From Barry to Holland
The band is thrilled to announce the signing of two star players. Ellie Holland, formally of Newbridge band has moved in to fill the vacant Soprano seat, Ellie returns to Rogerstone Band after some years. The band is also pleased to announce the signing of the young Tuba player Thomas Howells. Tom has already proved himself to be a great young talent performing with numerous Gwent Ensembles. Along with MD Jamie, Tom is an also a member of the National Youth Brass Band of Wales. Chairman Doug Davies commented, “These are two fantastic players who very welcome in the band. This is just a sign of how the band is developing at a great rate. It really is a great time to be involved with such exciting band”.
Sun, Sea and Seagulls
Who would believe it? With all the rain we have had recently, the sun turned out in Barry on Sunday 2nd August as the band put on a great show on the promenade. The band was well received by a large appreciative audience. The band put on a varied programme to suit all tastes. At times the band was accompanied by the squawking of the seagulls. The band would like to say thank you for the guest players who came along and helped out.
Fantastic New Website
The band would like to announce its fresh new website. It replaces the old website that was well out of date. The band would like to thank Bryony Snell (Principal Baritone of the Lympstone Band) for designing it. Keep checking for regular updates.
Oh! Wos Occurin'?
There is yet another surprise as the band unveils their new ten piece ensemble at Barry Island. On the weekend of the 26th and 27th Rogerstone ventured down to the home of Gavin and Stacey to perform. The ten piece performed on the Saturday and then the Main Band took the stage on the Sunday. The weather was beautiful and everyone had a great day out. The band would like to thank all those who helped out for the weekend. Hopefully some pictures to follow soon.
Band secure local ‘Bragging Rights’
The band has very recently performed at the SEWBBA Ebbw Vale Contest where they were awarded 2nd place. The band decided to tackle Gareth Wood’s ‘Five blooms in a Welsh Garden’. A very polished performance of this difficult work showed that the band is right back on track. The band’s MD commented “This was a very important contest for us, we decided to take on an demanding piece and I’m really proud of the way that we performed. This is another step in the right direction.”
(For full results http://www.4barsrest.com/news/detail.asp?offset=25&id=9871)
Rebirth of Rogerstone
The band is delighted to announce a new set up; players and supporters have branded it as a ‘Rebirth’. The band is pleased to announce that Jamie Jones will become their new Musical Director. After a lot of hard work and effort, the committee have made many changes to the set up. New ideas have certainly helped to raise the band’s profile again. Band Manager Julian Sheppard says “Jamie has given a new lease of life to the band, he brings immense amounts of youthful enthusiasm, new vibrant music and excitement. His musical ideas have seen the band improve immensely in the very short time that he has worked with us” Recent concerts have proved that the band is performing to high standards. There were very positive reviews of the concert held at St Mary’s Church, Usk. The band received a standing ovation when the band finished the concert with ‘Clog Dance’. Two weeks later the band competed at the Welsh Regional Championships in Swansea, playing the set test piece ‘New world sketches’ by Dan Price. This was a fantastic performance, which saw the band receive 3rd place narrowly missing out on qualifying for the National Finals.
(For full results http://www.4barsrest.com/news/detail.asp?id=9586)
Highly Positive Result!
After many changes within the band, Rogerstone secured 4th place at the Treorchy SWWBBA Contest. MD Jamie says “This is a highly positive result for the band, it is definitely a step in the right direction, I have thoroughly enjoyed this challenge and look forward to working with the band again”.
(For full results see http://www.4barsrest.com/news/detail.asp?id=8959)
Band Announce Young Conductor for Treorchy
Rogerstone band have announced that one of Britain’s youngest conductors will be taking them to their next contest. Jamie Jones, a 2nd year student at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama has agreed to take the band to this contest after a highly successful concert some weeks before. This is the first time that Jamie has conducted and will be an exciting time for him and the band.
