 Filton Concert Brass are delighted to announce their first win in the 'top section' of banding, being crowned Welsh Open Champions for 2016 at the Grand Pavilion in Porthcawl. Giving a reprise of it's 'Fusion' programme from the Wychavon Festival of Brass the band invited international euphonium soloist Glenn Van Looy to lead their performance, with Musical Director Tom Davoren already engaged to conduct his home town band of Burry Port. On his experience with Filton Glenn gave the following quote to the popular brass band news website www.4barsrest.com:"I'm so pleased to have been able to help Filton to this victory. Tom Davoren made sure the band was in great shape before I arrived on Monday, and then the players responded to everything I asked of them all week. They are a fantastic bunch of people - and I can't thank them enough." The band certainly enjoyed Glenn's friendship, musical experience and exciting approach, and are already looking forward to working with him again in the future. Special conratulations must go to the band's flugel horn soloist, Tim Malpas, who was justly awarded the best soloist award for another gripping performance of 'South Loop'. Filton Concert Brass would like to congratulate all of the participating bands and the organisers of the Welsh Open contest on a fantastic event.
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In only their second outing in the Championship section. Filton Concert Brass claimed second prize and the best percussion award in a competitive field of fifteen bands at the annual Wychavon Festival of Brass entertainment contest. Conducted by their Musical Director, Tom Davoren, the band's programme was entitled 'Fusion', drawing together different musical styles through arranged and original music for brass band. It was praised by adjudicator Alan Morrison as being, 'a super programme underpinned by excellent direction and super soloists.' Flugel Horn soloist Tim Malpas was featured to great effect in the band's opening number, the James Last version of Harold Arlen's classic 'Over the Rainbow', and in a performance of Tom Davoren's 'South Loop' for flugel horn and brass band, which was a UK premiere. A sumptuous arrangement of the Norwegian folk song 'Bli Hos Oss' by Stan Niuewenhuis was a welcome moment of calm before a rousing rendition of 'Fusion', an original work for brass band by salvationist Martin Cordner. Filton Concert Brass would like to congratulate Redbridge Band on their victory and Roberts Bakery Band on their third place. A special mention must also go to the Foresters Band who won the invite to compete at the British Open Spring Festival weekend.
Conducted by their Musical Director Tom Davoren, Filton gave a performance off a late number ten draw which the critics of brass band website www.4barsrest.com described as 'with brio and verve' and 'a performance that grew in stature impressively'. After a solid and musical performance the band were awarded third place out of twelve, Filton's highest ever placing at the Regional Championships, ahead of a selection of established championship bands, by adjudicators Dr. Roger Webster and David Hirst.
It’s something the founder Jim Scott wanted to encourage and it’s something we are determined to carry on in his memory. We had our sights on the Area title earlier this year and then decided to aim for the Nationals. Now we plan very carefully how we want to approach life in the Championship Section.” Tom added: “Even though we practice once a week, the commitment from the players to what the band wants to achieve is 100%. I love that different, innovative approach - and I think the players do too. That’s why we can go out on the contest stage and take the risks that can pay off.” Congratulations to all contesting members and the management team that lead the band to victory.
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