It was a week to remember for the musicians of Beaumaris Band as the Senior Band and the Youth Band competed in their first competitions of the year.
The Senior Band were making the annual trip to Swansea's Brangwyn Hall for the Welsh Regional Brass Band Championships. Having won the Second Section last year the band were promoted to the First Section for the first time since 2008.
A week later, the Youth Band travelkled over Offa's Dyke to compete in the National Youth Brass Band Championships of Great Britain; the first time the event had taken place since the lockdown.
The Senior Band clinched second place and an invitation to the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain in September where Beaumaris and Ebbw Valley Brass Band will represent Wales, whilst the Youth Band went one better winning their section at the British Championships.
With a handful of young musicians playing in both bands, it was a very busy period of rehearsals as the new year arrived with Beaumaris Band Musical Director, Bari Gwilliam, prepared the Senior Band and Pete Cowlishaw, the Senior Band's principal Eb player, preparing the Youth Band.
“It was difficult to know what to expect as we have been promoted to a section full of incredibly strong bands who have played at this level, if not a higher level, for a number of years,” said Bari Gwiliam.
“With the vast majority of our band playing at this level for the very first time, the committment and desire to learn was great to see as the Test Piece, A Day In The Life of a Knight by Peter Graham, was very challenging,” he added.
“Their committment has paid dividends and to hear the adjudicator praise the standard of play of both bands who came to the fore was heart warming!”
And the Youth Band's committment paid dividends as the won the Performance Section of the National Youth Brass Band Championships of Great Britain at Stockport Grammar School.
Having been crowned Champions and receioving a Gold Award for their perfomance, the Band's principal cornet, Osian Maloney, was awarded the Solooist Prize for the competition.
“I'm so proud of the player, said their conductor, Pete Cowlishaw. “To think that the vast majority of these players have never stepped onto a contest stage before, it's a fantastic result.”
“It proves the youth system at Beaumaris is incredibly healthy and still working following the lockdown. I'm really looking forward to our next contest at the National Eisteddfod in August!”