Euphoniums and Baritones

Instrument: Tuba

Occupation: Database Designer

Why did you take up a brass instrument: Mike Thorne came in to my primary school as a peri and made it sound a lot more appealing than the recorder!

Joined the band: 1998

Why did you join the band: Mike Thorne suggested I joined a band outside of school lessons and my family knew Gerald who was taking the juniors at the time.

First contest: Gloucester Entertainments

Previous Band(s): Apart from County and 3 Counties, none.

Favourite Banding memory: Touring Holland and Ireland with 3 Counties bands and playing at the British Finals with ATSB

Favourite Contest: Fishguard

Favourite test piece: All sound the same as a tuba player! 

Favourite park job piece: Fields of Gold (Wedding Style)

Interesting fact/something we didn't know: Undefeated, fastest pint downer since 2008!

Instrument: Bass

Occupation: Self Employed Vehicle Examiner 

Why did you take up a brass instrument: I didn’t like playing the violin.

Joined the band: 1975

Why did you join the band: Because my peripatetic teacher at the time, Mr Ivor Davies, was the MD of the band.

First contest: Abertillery Leisure Centre 1976 - Where I lost my mouthpiece before going onstage, because I was playing around on the gym equipment and put it in my pocket, where it fell out and I couldn’t find it. 

Previous bands: BTM, Pontardulais, GCG, National Youth Brass Band of Wales

Favourite banding memory:

1) Winning the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain 2001 in Second Section.

2) Playing with the National Youth Brass Band of Wales in the European Brass Band Championships Gala Concert in St David’s Hall, 1992.

Favourite contest: Welsh Regionals at the Brangwyn Hall, Swansea

Favourite test piece: The Essence of Time by Peter Graham

Favourite park job piece: The Hustle

Interesting fact/Something you never knew: I was at the live launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery at Kennedy Space Center in 1998. I’ve also seen a grand piano fall through the old wooden stage at the Royal Albert Hall! 

Instrument: Well? Not sure on this one. I will play what the band needs. Currently on solo Euphonium.

Occupation: Supervisor in a car manufacturing factory.

Why did you take up a brass instrument: My grandfather  saw me one day  playing around in the  bus stop with friends  causing some mischief . He decided to take me down to the band to get me off the streets.

When did you join the band: Started in the junior's 1984. I was promoted to the senior band in 1987.

What did you join Ammanford band: My grandfather was the new conductor of the  band. 

First contest: 1988 Burry Port contest.

Previous Bands: Ammanford Band, Llanelli Band, GCG Band 

Favourite banding memory: Travelling to Bilbao for a music festival, spending 3 days on a boat whilst watching everyone have sea sickness apart from me however, the best moment is having my 20th birthday out there and the band got me a cake We were in a hostel sharing with other bands across Europe and they all sung happy birthday to me in their language. Very emotional! 

Favourite contest: Ebbw Vale contest by far. Great bar up stairs plus a swimming pool on site

Favourite test piece: Diversions on a Swiss theme. I was on solo baritone when we won the British 2nd section finals in Preston in 2001

Favourite park job piece: Split between two  Flashdance & YMCA. Two class pieces that get the audience going

Interesting fact: Been in the band since 1984 and the only instrument I haven't played in a concert or contest is Bass. I am also a football level 3A referee.