Ebbw Vale and Weston Contest Preview

10th May 2009

It's going to be a big step up for Blaenavon Town Band next Saturday as the Band take their place in the First Section for the first time in the Bands History.  Last years Section Section Championship meant that the band got promoted and at the time there was some debate as to whether we actually wanted to go up.

However, now we are in First Section it is time to see how we get on. MD, Lyndon Price, has chosen Kenneth Downies 'Music for the Common Man' which is a big challenge for a band that were playing 'Indian Summer' and 'Saltzburg Suite' 10 years ago.

The band has had a lot of fun getting to grips with the technical and musical difficulties of the piece, especially the many complex and diverse rhythms.  All areas of the band have had to work hard especially this years junior debutantes Ryan on Baritone and Lauren on Cornet. Ebbw Vale will be their second senior contest.

The First Section kicks off at about 1pm on next Saturday at Ebbw Vale Leisure Centre.  Some of the band will be performing in the morning with the Junior Band who are competing in the Youth Section which starts after the 4th Section bands have played.

On Sunday it's back to Second Section as the National Gradings take over in the Weston-Super-Mare contest.  The band is looking for a third consecutive win at Weston which has been a very successful venue for us over the last few years.