Gwent Music’s Greater Gwent Youth Brass Band has just won the title of Band Ieuenctid Cymru 2016.

The Greater Gwent Youth Brass Band pools talent from Blaenau Gwent, Monmouthshire, Newport and Torfaen. Conducted by Gareth Ritter, they stole the show with Mr Sandman, which included a highly entertaining, choreographed, ‘storyline’ featuring one-upmanship between four hand bell players and the ensemble as a whole on top of some excellent musicianship.

The group also played Brooklyn by the Youngblood Brass Band, Cân y Bugail arranged by Goff Richards, The Shepherd’s Song arranged by Leigh Baker and Country Clambake arranged by Alan Fernie.

Two of Gwent Music’s ensembles had made it to the final. Gwent Youth Wind Orchestra led by Sean O’Neill, Gwent Music’s head of wind and brass, also performed impeccably including the Entry of the Gladiators by Julius Fucik, Instant Concert by Harold L. Walters and James Bond 007 by John Barry in its repertoire.

Four finalist groups from around Wales performed in a battle of the bands style championship final held at the Parc and Dare Theatre, Treorchy this weekend. The final was recorded and broadcast by Rondo Media on S4C with a live broadcast of the final announcement.

Adjudicator Dr Graham Jones MBE said, “This championship helps you see the effort that these four wonderful ensembles have put in over and above school life and other commitments and it is a real credit to youth music in Wales. In an ensemble you are connecting and understanding people, encouraging each other and working as a team to be the best you can and these are such vital skills for young people to harness as they grow into great adults.

"This spirit was manifest in the Greater Gwent Youth Brass Band. They performed an energetic programme and the choreography took this to another level yet it looked so natural and throughout it the support mechanism within the band shone through. Jon, Colin and myself all agreed on this and that is what made them the winning band.”

The adjudicators were:

• Jon Faddis, a trumpet player, conductor, composer and educator, famously described by Dizzy Gillespie as being “the best and that includes me!” Jon is known both for his playing and for his expertise in the field of music education.

• Colin Sheen, a trombonist who works in both the classical orchestra field, being principal trombonist with the English Chamber Orchestra, whilst additionally playing in big bands, on radio, television, and in countless films including Harry Potter. Sheen also played trombone on Tom Jones’ recording of Kiss.

• Dr Graham Jones MBE, is a conductor, adjudicator and band trainer with a glittering career in Army Music spanning nearly 40 years. He began as a musician in the Royal Artillery Band becoming Bandmaster of 16/5 The Queens Royal Lancers, during which time he was made a Member of the British Empire.

Director of the Greater Gwent Youth Brass Band Gareth Ritter said, “I am absolutely over the moon with this result. The band totally delivered on what we set out to do and the performance was fantastic! Being an ex-pupil of Gwent Music, I know what youth music can bring to an individual’s life and, having received so many amazing opportunities myself, it is really good to be able to give something back.

"The kids in the band are a great bunch and it speaks volumes about the value of music in young peoples’ lives that are provided by services such as ourselves. It is crucial to make things fun for the kids so that they are not just sitting playing but feel completely immersed in the music. My approach is if they enjoy what they are doing, they will keep doing it.”