02/05/2026
SPRING FESTIVAL - Senior Cup
11. Tongwynlais (Owen Farr)
Super tight beginning with great clarity heard throughout the fanfares at the correct dynamic, what a sense of clarity and class emitting instantly from this beginning. Great band sound whilst not being overblown.
The FF hits well and the bass duet that follows is superb, balanced and very well played. The cornets that follow are super too and in the exact right style… light
Well done horn, that was the best I’ve heard that little motif played today
Inner band supports the lead lines so well – horns/baritone especially. What follows is a lovely counter melody by Bari. This is good
Careful cornets on your loud playing – some intonation issues arise with a slight harshness to your sound also becoming apparent.
This was a fantastic 1st movement with the transition into the slow movement really shifting styles so well.
Movement 2: Beautiful start and well held euph at the correct dynamic, only one slight wobble flugel but otherwise super.
Such sympathetic accompaniment to allow sop to shine, what great control and PC supports sop well before taking centre stage. Again, the supporting band is so so good.
And the gap before the theme is reintroduced is perfectly started together – euph holds on again with a centred note at correct dynamic.
This again works so well, the quiet dynamic is so secure with the gradual build working so well.
As we progress the quiet playing is again superb with only minor slips noted but gosh there are some absolutely exquisite moments, note production is bob on the conductors beat with balance and intonation holding well to the end of the movement, fantastic!
Movement 3: trombone is so authoritative and clean to begin this movement with technical clarity heard in the cornet lines that follow
Minor intonation on the horn theme but the supporting euph line works so effectively
Great technical work trombones, careful not to engage full chainsaw! But the style transition then to the delicacy by the solo trom was gorgeous
The syncopation that follows worked and the horns rhtyhymic motif that came after was audible and so accurate.
The reprise of the fanfare is good, together and accurate however the accents are a little overdone for me - but the high energy is apparent
PC technique is spot on and with the finishing line in sight the band let’s their hair down and shows us what they can do, what power! Great trombone technique again – boy this was a fantastic end
Overall: Wow… well, that could be very hard to beat. Detail, clarity and control with the gas pedal pushed at just the right time to lead to a fantastic close – they saved it for just the right time! The best bit of this performance for me was the balance, all the accompanying lines and harmonies knew their place in the hierarchy. Along with volume control and technical brilliance this was a fantastic performance that will be right up there. Well done.
