MD’s New Year update

As the calendar turns from 2023 to 24 the band’s MD, Owen Farr shares his update for the year ahead.

The coming year offers a great opportunity to grow and further develop the Tongwynlais Temperance Band. After a year of laying good foundations it’s important that we build for the future. Our ongoing rebuilding process as a band will always be based on rehearsing and performing great music that inspires players and audiences. 

Preparing for the Welsh Open, the Area and and the Spring Festival we will have a brand new entertainment programme through our ongoing collaboration with Gareth Trott. As our first ever Composer in Residence Gareth’s contribution as composer and arranger has served us well and I look forward to premiering new works from him with the band in the year ahead. 

Major works for this year will obviously include, Variations on an Enigma Philip Sparke’s challenging work that sets a high bar for both individual and ensemble playing right across the band. We will be working on Journey to the Centre of the Earth and New Jerusalem and our other major works will come from George Lloyd as we explore his unique repertoire for brass band in rehearsal and later this year in concert. 

For the concert stage we will be featuring the band’s principal players, some in new compositions as well as established favourites. With such a strong line up of players we’re lining up some often unheard works for duet and ensemble. The band tell me they’re delighted that both Carnival Overture and the fiendish Bartered Bride will be on the stand! 

Our open rehearsal policy will also continue. We’re always keen to welcome visitors to sit in or listen just let us know and we’ll make sure there’s a seat – if you’ve been to Ton before you’ll know it’s a ‘compact’ band room. While we’re not openly recruiting we are always happy to hear from anyone who would like to contribute to the band as a supporter or as a player. So keep in touch and maybe even think about joining us on the journey?

I'd like to thank the band and all our supporters for the work undertaken during my first year as Musical Director and I look forward to what 2024 has to bring. See you in the bandroom!