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On this page regular followers of the band will find information on the
latest news from within the Parc & Dare Band including information on upcoming events,
reports on concert and competition performances, personnel changes, etc.
This page is frequently updated so do call back regularly.
Champion Band of Wales 2006
December 2006
The Parc & Dare Band take the title of Champion Band of Wales
2006 after topping the table alongside Abergavenny Borough and Thomas Coaches
(Mid Rhondda) Bands in the series of contests organised by SEWBBA
throughout 2006.
The title Champion Band of Wales is contested
annually by Championship section bands across Wales through three contests
spaced throughout the contesting year. The title also brings with it the much
coveted Championship trophy which will be on display at Parc & Dare Band
performances during 2007.
The title brings to a close a successful year
for Parc & Dare with a third prize placing at the Welsh Regional Championships
in March, second prize at the SEWBBA Ebbw Vale Championships in May,
qualification to represent Wales at the Finals of the UK National Brass Band
Championships at London's Royal Albert Hall in October and finally a first prize
placing at the final SEWBBA Championships contest in November.
The band now looks forward to building upon these successes and continuing
its development as a major contesting force in the year ahead. Details of the band's itinerary
for 2007 is now available in the Events section of the site with further
developments on the band and its activities being posted on the site in due
course.
Full information on all Parc & Dare engagements for 2007,
including contact details and booking information, can
be found in the
Events section of this website. Anyone
wishing to apply for membership of Parc & Dare should contact the Band Secretary via the
Contact Details section of this site
Home Run!
November 2006
In an upbeat close to the 2006 contesting season Parc & Dare have been placed first in the final contest of the
SEWBBA Brass Band Championships series.
In a two point victory over the
nearest placed band, Thomas Coaches (Mid Rhondda), Parc & Dare gave a quite
exceptional performance of the set test-piece, Martin Ellerby's "Chivalry", a
performance which adjudicator Steve Sykes described as "superb".
In addition to the band being awarded first prize Parc & Dare
timpanist Ceri John was also awarded the Best Instrumentalist prize and the
band's trombone section James Voros, Andrew Proctor and Paul Reffell also
received the award for Best Trombone Section.
The band now look forward to their final engagements for 2006,
The Glory of Christmas concerts to be held at the Park & Dare Theatre on Friday
15th and Saturday 16th December. The hard work will then resume in preparation
for 2007 and all it has to bring.
Full information on
The Glory of Christmas concerts and all Parc & Dare engagements for 2007 can
be found in the
Events section of this website. Anyone
wishing to apply for membership of Parc & Dare can contact the Band Secretary via the
Contact Details section of this site
Major Award
November 2006
The Parc & Dare Band are pleased to announce that they have been
awarded the W.S. Gwynn Williams Award by the Welsh Amateur Music Federation in
recognition of their extraordinary achievements in amateur music making over the
past two years.
The Gwynn Williams award is presented annually to the society or
societies, be they band, choir, musical theatre society or amateur orchestra,
who in the opinion of the Federation’s Chairman have made the greatest progress
in or contribution to amateur music-making in Wales in the previous two years.
The band's Musical Director Craig Roberts was presented with the
award by the Chairman at the Federation's Annual General Meeting where the band
was praised particularly for its artistic and strategic vision, its work in and
with the local community and its achievements on both the contest and concert
platform.
The band were delighted with the award and would like to
publicly register their thanks to the Federation for their assistance and
support.
A review of the considerable achievements of the Parc & Dare
Band to date can be found in the
History
section of this site. Further information on the Welsh Amateur Music Federation
and its activities can be found at www.tycerdd.org
Major Boost
October
2006
The Parc & Dare Band are pleased to announce that one of the
most successful conductors of all time, Major Peter Parkes, will direct at the
band in their performance of Berlioz' Les Franc Juges at the Finals of the
National Brass Band Championships, to be held at the Royal Albert Hall later
this month.
The Major is a former Director of Music of the Band of Her
Majesty's Grenadier Guards, and has been associated with numerous top
Championship Section bands including Desford, Grimethorpe, Williams Fairey and
of course Black Dyke. He made his debut appearance at the National Finals in
1975 with a victory directing the John Foster Black Dyke Mills Band, who went on
to achieve a hat trick of wins in the contest under his baton in successive
years - the first two victories by a three point margin, and the third by a
clear five points.
Since that time the Major has won the title a further six times,
the last being with Williams Fairey in 1993. In his 25 appearances to date he
has notched up 7 wins, 7 runners up, 2 third places and 4 sixth places.
The band are delighted to be working with Major Parkes. His experience
and musicianship are second to none and the benefits to the band in working with the Major will be immense
and contribute vastly to the ongoing development of the band as a leading
championship force.
For further information on Major Peter Parkes, the band's
resident Musical Director Craig Roberts and other conductors who have been
associated with the Parc & Dare Band please visit the
Conductors page contained within the
Hist ory
section of this site.
New Faces
September 2006
Ahead of their appearance at the
National Brass Band Championships the Parc & Dare Band are pleased to announce a
number of new signings in readiness for the National Finals at the Royal Albert
Hall.
Since the Welsh Regional Championships
in March the band has been fortunate to welcome to the band Chris Jenkins
(formerly principal cornet of Ammanford Town Band), Angela Rance (formerly
principal cornet of Mid Rhondda) and Kirsty Attwood (formerly of Mid Rhondda and
Burry Port) to the cornet section. Robin Davies (former member of Parc & Dare
and the then Cory Band) returns to the band on first horn, while Shoko Morimoto
(also formerly of Parc & Dare and the Buy As You View Band) returns on first
baritone.
James Voros (formerly principal trombone
of the National Youth Brass Band of Wales and Mid Rhondda), Wayne Jenkins
(formerly principal tuba of Pontardulais), Stephen “Fly” Harris (formerly of
Tredegar) also take up their respective positions on first trombone, Eb tuba and
percussion.
The band welcomes all these new members and wishes them a
long and happy future in the black, red and gold of Parc & Dare.
Anybody wishing to contact any members of
the Parc & Dare Band, or wishing to apply for membership at Parc & Dare, should contact the Band Secretary via the
Contact Details section of this site
London Calling
August
2006
Following the brief respite of
the annual summer break the Parc & Dare Band are once again hard at work,
preparing for their forthcoming performances in London in both September and October.
Their first performance will be
at the Royal Academy of Music where the band will perform the second in the series
of performances planned in conjunction with the Electric Brass project, which
was
premiered at the Welsh Brass Arts Festival in June of this year.
The concert will take place
on Saturday September 9th in the main concert hall, the Duke's Hall, where the band will perform alongside
staff and students from the Academy and
will feature music by
Peter Graham, Torstein Aagaard-Nielsen, Tim Souster, Andrew Powell and Philip
Wilby.
The full programme will be as follows:
Arthur Gottschalk
The Fountains (UK Premiere)
Tim Souster
Echoes
Steve Bingham
Duplicity
Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen
Songs from a Singing Mountain (from Riffs & Interludes)
Peter Graham
Journey to the Centre of the Earth
Andrew Powell
Variations Towards A Theme
Andrew Powell
Falstaff
Roger Smalley
Echo III
Philip Wilby
Dance Before the Lord
The concert will commence at 7:30pm with tickets priced at £8 (£5 concessions). The Royal Academy of Music is located on
Marylebone Road, NW1 5HT, near Madame Tussauds and Baker Street Underground
Station.
Parc &
Dare are also hard work in preparation for the forthcoming National
Championships of Great Britain which will take place on Saturday October 28th at
the Royal Albert Hall.
The test-piece will be Berlioz' overture Les Franc Juges - Judges of the Secret
Court, which the band last performed over ten years ago at the 1994 Harry &
Margaret Mortimer Memorial Open Championships.
The band
look forward to both engagements and to a successful six month period in
the latter half of 2006.
Full information on these and all Parc engagements for 2006 can
be found in the Events section of this website.
Summer Living
July 2006
Following the 2006 Welsh Brass
Arts Festival and the success of the Electric Brass and Big Anthem Fawr
performances the Parc & Dare Band once again made the trip across the
Atlantic to Halifax, Canada, and to the 2006 Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo. This
was the third consecutive year in which the band had performed at the
Tattoo, the largest military and civilian indoor event of it's kind anywhere in
the world. The first occasion was in 2004, where Parc & Dare were the first group to represent Wales in this
breathtaking entertainment spectacular and this year was delighted this year to be
accompanied on the trip to Halifax by the splendid Cor Meibion Morlais.
Members of the Parc & Dare Band combined with Cor Meibion
Morlais, The Band of the Ceremonial Guard (Ottawa) and musicians from the
Governor General's Foot Guards to perform a selection of Welsh music to
incredibly appreciative capacity crowds at the 8 000 seat Halifax Metro Centre.
The music for the scene included Parc & Dare's signature tune, Lt. Col. Peter
Hannam's stirring march The Welshman (which included God Bless Prince of Wales,
Free Wales and Ar Hyd Y Nos), Morlais mesmerising rendition of Sunset Poem (Eli
Jenkins' Prayer) and an arrangement by Musical Director Craig Roberts and tuba
player Hugh Williams for Band, Choir and Fanfare Trumpets of John Hughes'
immortal Cwm Rhondda.
At the
Nova Scotia Tattoo (this year granted its Royal status by Her Majesty the Queen
on the occasion of her 80th Birthday) the band appeared
alongside over 2000 performers from
Canada, Estonia, Germany, Switzerland and elsewhere in the United Kingdom. These
performers included, from Canada, the Stadacona Band of Maritime Forces
Atlantic, Land Force Atlantic Area Army Band, Band of the Ceremonial Guard,
Regimental Band of the Governor General's Foot Guards and the Pipes & Drums of
2nd Battalion The Royal Canadian Regiment, 14 Wing Greenwood, CFB Shearwater,
Nova Scotia Higlanders, Atlantic Region Tri-Service Cadets and the Royal Nova
Scotia International Tattoo / Black Watch Association.
Other Canadian performers
included the Tri-Service Obstacle Race, Army Gun Run, Tri-Service Guard, RCMP
Ceremonial Troop, Tattoo Choir, Tattoo Dancers, The Amethyst Dancers, Atlantica
Gymasts, Cape Breton Fiddlers and soloists Derrick Paul Miller, Andrea Jeffrey
and Charlotte Dort.
Estonia was represented by
the Orchestra of the Estonian Defence Forces, gymnastic group Club Piruett and
two totally unique modern Circus acts; Germany by the Gym Wheel Team Taunusstein
and Show Boxtramp; Oman by The Royal Air Force of Oman Band, Pipes and Dancers;
Switzerland by STV Wettingen Gym Team and the United Kingdom, not only by Parc &
Dare and Cor Meibion Morlais, but also by The Queen's Colour Squadron of the RAF
and Aberdeen UOTC Drmus & Pipes.
Participating in the Nova Scotia
International Tattoo was once again a truly wonderful experience for all
concerned and it is very much the desire of the Parc & Dare Band to return to
the show and to Halifax again in years to come. The band would like to offer
warmest and most sincere thanks to the production staff and crew of the Royal
Nova Scotia International Tattoo and all our friends the world over for another
fantastic time in Halifax.
Further information on the Royal Nova
Scotia International Tattoo can be found on the show's website
www.nstattoo.ca
Welsh Brass Arts Festival details revealed
Details of the forthcoming Welsh Brass Arts Festival have been released by the organisers.
The Welsh Brass Arts Festival, one of the flagship events in the annual calendar of the Parc & Dare Band, returns to Treorchy's Parc and Dare Theatre between June 12th and 17th 2006.
Now in its sixth consecutive year the 2006 Festival promises to be bigger and better than ever.
Main Events:
The 2006 Welsh Brass Arts Festival features two main events: Electric Brass (Friday June 16th) and Big Anthem Fawr (Saturday June 17th), alongside a host of opportunities for local young musicians through the course of the Festival week (Monday 12th to Saturday 17th June)
Electric Brass
"Electric Brass" is the successor to last year's much acclaimed "Brass Tracks: A Night at the Movies" project. Aimed at breaking the conventional stereotypes that surround the traditional Welsh musical institutions of brass band, harp and male choir, the project will see Parc & Dare work alongside noted composer Andrew Powell, world renowned harpist Catrin Finch, progressive male choir Only Men Aloud, Welsh National Opera Baritone soloist Gareth Rhys-Davies and Electric Violinist Steve Bingham to present a full evening of groundbreaking music accompanied by lighting, visual art and electronic effects.
Featuring a wealth of new music for brass band by composers Tim Souster (Echoes), Mick Wilson (Concerto for Six String Electric Violin and Brass Band), David Bedford (Requiem) and Gareth Wood (Concerto for Harp and Brass Band), Electric Brass will also see the premiere of Andrew Powell's new work "Tair Cerdd Sanctaidd" for brass band, male choir, harp and baritone soloist.
This work, based on the poetry of literary icons Gwenallt, Dafydd ap Gwilym and William Williams (Pantycelyn), will be accompanied by a display of digital art specially created especially for the piece by the project's Artist-In-Residence, Monika Dutta.
Further details on the performance and the project can be found at:
Electric Brass
Big Anthem Fawr:
In Big Anthem Fawr the Parc & Dare Band celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Welsh National Anthem, "Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau" (composed in Rhondda Cynon Taf in 1856), and the twinning link recently established between the band and the 60 strong wind German orchestra, the Stadtorchester Ravensburg.
In addition to a new arrangement of 'Land of My Fathers' the Big Anthem Fawr audience will also be treated to music by Mozart, Monteverdi and first performances by a combined wind and brass orchestra of Edward Gregson's epic work "The Sword & The Crown" and the Third Symphony of American composer James Barnes.
Also featured in the event will be London based trumpet quartet Bella Tromba and much admired Welsh soprano Helen May. Bella Tromba will also be giving a solo lunchtime recital at the Theatre on the afternoon of Thursday June 15th as part of the Festival Outreach Programme (Further details of this performance can be found on the quartet's website www.bellatromba.co.uk, while information on all of the above events can be found at www.brassbands.co.uk/festival.htm
Gwyl Gerdd Ysgolion - Schools' Music Festival:
In addition to the main Festival weekend the Parc & Dare Band, in
conjunction with Rhondda Cynon Taf Education Department and Music Services, are also proud to once again present Rhondda Cynon Taf "Gwyl Gerdd Ysgolion - Schools'Music Festival". This new element of the Welsh Brass Arts Festival was launched in 2005 and is aimed at providing children with the opportunity to perform in a professional setting, both individually and in groups.
The Schools Music Festival proved an enormous success in its first year with over twenty schools from across the county borough participating in the event, with increased numbers anticipated this year.
Further Information:
Further information on all Welsh Brass Arts Festival events, along with retrospectives on previous years and a list of works commissioned by the Festival to date, can be obtained from the Parc & Dare Band website www.brassbands.co.uk and Rhondda Cynon Taf Cultural Services own website www.rct-arts.co.uk
Tickets for all 2006 events are now available from the Box Office of
the Parc & Dare Theatre on 01443 773 112
Back in the Bigtime!
March 2006
After a considerable absence from
the hallowed stage of London's Royal Albert Hall, the Parc & Dare Band will make
a triumphant return this year, representing Wales at the Finals of the National
Brass Band Championships of Great Britain.
The contest will feature twenty
of the top bands from across the UK, all of whom have qualified through the
regional championships held across the length and breadth of the country this
past month. In addition to Parc & Dare, also representing Wales will be the Buy
As You View and Burry Port Town Bands. Other bands competing in the
championships include Black Dyke, Grimethorpe, YBS, Fodens Richardson, Fairey,
Leyland, Scottish Co-op, Kirkintilloch, Reg Vardy, Fishburn, Aveley and Newham,
Staines Brass, Mount Charles, Camborne Town, Newstead Welfare and Jaguar
(Coventry).
Further information about the
National Finals will be posted on this website as and when it is made available.
The Finals of the National Championships
will take place at the Royal Albert Hall, London on Saturday October 28th.
Tickets will be available from the Royal Albert Hall via
www.royalalberthall.com. Full information on all Parc engagements for 2006 can
be found in the Events section of this website.
Artist In Residence
February 2006
Working in partnership with
Cywaith Cymru - Artworks Wales, the Parc & Dare Theatre and Rhondda Cynon Taf
Cultural Services Digital Arts, the Parc & Dare Band have appointed a new Artist
In Residence to work with the band in conjunction with their new project for
2006, Electric Brass.
The appointed artist, filmmaker
Tim Shore, will work with the band and local community to produce a range of
digital imagery which will then be projected in the auditorium as a visual
complement to part of the musical programme for Electric Brass, the premiere
performance of which will take place as part of the 2006 Welsh Brass Arts
Festival, to be held at the Parc & Dare Theatre, Treorchy in June of this year.
A graduate of the Royal College
of Art, London, Tim was previously commissioned to produce Cofiwch (Keepsake) a
short film for S4C while his latest works, Rosabelle Believe and Cabinet, have
received screenings at film festivals across the globe. The main aim of the
residency will be to produce films to accompany two works, pioneering composer
Tim Souster's Echoes, and Andrew Powell's Tair Cerdd Sanctaidd, a new piece
based upon the poetry of three leading Welsh poets, William Williams (Pantycelyn),
Gwenallt and Dafydd ap Gwilym, which has been commissioned by the Welsh Brass
Arts Festival for the 2006 event.
Further information and progress
on the residency to date can be found at the blog website
http://parcdareair.blogspot.com/
For further information on the Electric
Brass project please view the new Special Projects section of this site,
or for further information on the Welsh Brass Arts Festival visit the section on
the Festival itself. Full information on all of the band's engagements
for 2006 can be found in the Events section.
Musical Chairs
January 2005
The
Parc & Dare Band announce a wealth of new signings in readiness for the 2006
concert and contest season. The new team features a number of new players in
several key positions around the stands, and the return of a number of well
known and well respected former members back into red, black & gold.
Firstly the band are
pleased to announce that principals Robert Samuel and Carl Saunders
are available to lead the band at the Porthcawl Miners' Eisteddfod and Welsh
Regional Championships respectively.
The band look forward to working with both Carl and Rob once
again in 2006.
Also
joining the Parc & Dare
cornet section is experienced cornetist David Thomas, formerly of Tredegar and
Pontardulais while the band signs a new solo horn player in the outstanding Mike
Saunders (cousin of cornetist Carl). In the lower end of the band Welsh National Opera’s John Hendy
returns to Parc & Dare on solo trombone while outstanding Royal Welsh
College of Music & Drama student Helen Kinder takes over the solo euphonium
position from recently retired Rob Burnett, with Glen Narbeth, formerly solo
euphonium of Ogmore Vale, taking up the remaining euphonium chair.
Finally in the percussion section,
Ros Wright returns to perform with the band at the Porthcawl Miners' Eisteddfod
while longstanding principal Huw Griffiths
will be joined by new acquisitions Luke Wyeth and Ceri John plus returning
member Matthew Whittington to
complete the four man team required for Dr Peter Graham’s epic Journey to the
Centre of the Earth, the set work at this year's Welsh Regional Championships.
Following a transitional period in terms of both the
band's playing and administrative line-up, Parc & Dare once again have a strong,
settled team and with regular, full rehearsals look forward to another full and
exciting year ahead.
For a full guide to the Parc & Dare Band's
engagements for 2006 please view the itinerary in the Events section of this site
or e-mail Band Secretary Belinda Halpin for more detailed information via the
Contact Details section of this website.
Parc & Dare Band at Christmas
December 2005
December and Christmas is upon us, and what a festive feast the Parc & Dare Band
has to offer this year. Firstly the Band's flagship festive event will once
again be held at the Parc & Dare Theatre, Treorchy and feature the band
alongside the fabulous Richard Williams Singers & Gentlemen Songsters
and this year our very own Treorchy Comprehensive School Choir under the
tutelage and guidance of Helen May.
The concert which, as always, will bring together another magnificent year for
the band will include a wide selection of
festive music and fun which all the family will enjoy. The programme will
include Rodney Newton's scintillating arrangement of "Gaudete",
Sandy Smith's sparkling "Santaclaustraphobia" and Gordon Langford's magnificent
"Christmas Fantasy". Soloists Rob Burnett (euphonium) and Paul Reffell (bass
trombone) will shine in, respectively "O Holy Night" and "Frosty the Snowman"
with Andrea Lewis (flugel horn) and
Robert Samuel (cornet) also being featured in the Theme from The Snowman:
"Walking In the Air" and the jazzed-up Farandole "Three Kings Swing".
The Parc & Dare Junior Band will also be on hand keeping theatre patrons entertained both before the
show and during intermission by performing carols in the theatre lounge. Quite
simply the perfect Christmas concert those wishing to catch this year's "Glory
of Christmas" will have to be fast as tickets are very nearly all sold out.
In addition to "The Glory of Christmas" the band will also be performing out in
the local community this Christmas, beginning with the switching on of the
Treorchy Town Centre Christmas Lights on Saturday December 2nd when the band
will perform alongside special guest Alvin Stardust. The Parc & Dare Junior Band
will perform in their own now annual Christmas concert both the
senior and junior bands will combine for one final seasonal performance at the Tesco
store, Talbot Green on Monday December 19th between 5:00 and 8:00pm.
All in all it promises once again to be a very Merry Christmas for the Parc &
Dare Band and it's friends and supporters.
For a full guide to the Parc & Dare Band's
Christmas engagements and appearances please view the itinerary in the Events section of this site
or e-mail Band Secretary Belinda Halpin for more detailed information via the
Contact Details section of this website.
Salome: Loyal?
November 2005
Another contesting year drew to a
close and with it came happily another piece of silverware for the Parc & Dare
Trophy cabinet with the Band taking third prize at the recent South East Wales
Brass Band Association Championships on the set test-piece, Gareth Wood's
Rhapsody for Brass Band - "Salome".
"Salome" was in fact commissioned
by the Parc & Dare Band in commemoration of the centenary in 1993. A wonderfully
descriptive work the opening section depicts the brutality of Herod's regime
before giving way to an ethereal tranquillo section where the beauty Salome is
revealed. The true dark nature of the biblical temptress is soon revealed
however before the piece ends with the climactic "Dance of the Seven Veils".
Jezebel though historically she
may have been, Salome proved faithful to Parc & Dare yielding third prize for
the Band at the contest and also the Rhymney Breweries Challenge Cup for Best
Soloist for the band's solo euphonium Rob Burnett.
The Band could not be more
thrilled for Rob, who after being one the most renowned and admired euphonium
players in Wales for many years, will retire from playing at the end of the
year. Rob's final playing appearance will be at this year's "Glory of Christmas"
concert with the Parc & Dare Band and the Richard Williams Singers, Gentlemen
Songsters and Treorchy Comprehensive School Choir.
Further details of this event ad
the rest of this year's Christmas events will be posted here soon.
For a full guide to the Parc & Dare Band's
engagements
and appearances for 2005 and beyond please view the itinerary in the Events section of this site.
Moves & Shakes
October 2005
A busy period indeed this Autumn
proved for the Parc & Dare Band! From the Harrogate Convention Centre in late
September, it was only a week on that the band were performing in their hometown
of Treorchy with none other than the Russian Cossack State Dance Company - and a
more thrilling and exciting performance has never before been seen in that
auditorium.
It was a pleasure for the band to
perform with, and to welcome to Wales (and particularly Rhondda Cynon Taf) the
fantastic Russian Cossacks. The Parc & Dare Band look forward to maintaining,
and further establishing, their relationship with this astounding group of
artists in the future. The Band would also like to offer their thanks to Morlais
Male Choir whose support during the visit of the Cossacks was both overwhelming
and invaluable. Again the Band look forward to developing a further relationship
with the choir in the near future.
Autumn also proved busy time in
terms of personnel with the band welcoming several new faces to the ranks,
namely Robin Davies on tenor horn, Lynsey Orr on baritone, Andrew Prockter on
trombone and Simon Brittlebank on percussion. The band also welcomes back Hugh
Williams on Eb bass and Vaughan Eveleigh on cornet.
Following the excitement of the
Autumn the Band now look forward to competing in the South East Wales Brass Band
Association Championships which will be held in Treorchy's own Parc & Dare
Theatre on Saturday November 19th.
For a full guide to the Parc & Dare Band's
engagements
and appearances for 2005 and beyond please view the itinerary in the Events section of this site.
Any
players wishing to apply for membership of
the Parc & Dare Band should contact the Band Secretary via the
Contact Details section of this site
East Meets west
August 2005
Saturday October 1st will see the appearance in Treorchy of the fabulous Russian Cossack State Dance Company. The legendary group are touring the UK following their recent appearance at the prestigious Edinburgh Military Tattoo, and will appear alongside the Parc & Dare Band in this their exclusive South Wales date before returning to Moscow.
The two groups first met in 2004 in Canada in June / July 2004 where they were both participating in the Nova Scotia International Tattoo. One year on and they will appear side by side in the palatial auditorium of the Parc & Dare Theatre in a feast of the very best in Russian music and dance.
The programme will include Shostakovich' "Festival Overture", Excerpts from Stravinsky's epic "Firebird" Suite and the exhilarating "Cossack Fire Dance". Tickets are currently on sale from the Box Office of the Parc & Dare Theatre on 01443 773 112 and early booking for this event is very much advised.
In addition to the evening performance a full programme of free internationally themed activities will also take place throughout the day in Treorchy including African drumming workshops, street performances and, weather permitting, a spectacular carnival procession. Please contact Judi Hughes on 01443 775 654 for further details on these events.
The appearance in Treorchy of the Russian Cossack State Dance Company is the latest in a series of international links being firmly forged between the Parc & Dare Band and various groups from across the globe, which include the recent visit to Rhondda Cynon Taf of l'Orchestre de Cuivres de Franche-Comte of Besancon, France, the links with the Nova Scotia International Tattoo of Canada, and the twinning link currently being developed with the Stadtorchester of Ravensburg, Germany who Parc & Dare Band Musical Director Craig Roberts will visit in December this year and whom Parc & Dare hope to welcome to Rhondda Cynon Taf in Spring 2006.
For a full guide to the Parc & Dare Band's
engagements
and appearances, view the itinerary in the Events section of this site.
International Links
July 2005
Following the 2005 Welsh Brass Arts Festival and the success of the Brass Tracks project and tour clearly some r+r was in order for a hard working Parc & Dare Band and so to Halifax the band swiftly headed, not Halifax, Yorkshire that is, but Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and the 2005 Nova Scotia International Tattoo. The band performed at the Tattoo, the largest military and civilian indoor event of it's kind anywhere in the world, for the first time in 2004, the first group to represent Wales in the show, and was delighted to be invited to return again this year.
In the Tattoo the band appeared alongside over 2000 performers from Canada, Germany, Kenya, New Zealand, Russia, and, also from the United Kingdom, groups from Northern Ireland and Scotland. In addition to Parc & Dare other bands included 51st Highland Regiment and Queen Victoria School Pipes & Drums from Scotland, The Northern Ireland Territorial Band & Dancers, and Pipeworkz Celtic Rock Band from New Zealand. Canadian Bands at the show included the Stadacona Band of Maritime Forces Atlantic, Land Force Atlantic Area Army Band and, from Ottawa, the Band of the Ceremonial Guard.
In addition to the bands mentioned above the show also featured The Flying Grandpas gymnastic display team from the Hamburg Police Force, Germany, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Drill Team, the Russian Army Paratroopers Song & Dance Ensemble, and the Afro Jambo Acrobats from Kenya.
Participating in the Nova Scotia International Tattoo was once again a truly singular experience for all concerned and it is very much the desire of the Parc & Dare Band to return to the show and to Halifax again in years to come.
For a full guide to the Parc & Dare Band's
engagements
and appearances, view the itinerary in the Events section of this site.
Welsh Brass Arts Festival 2005
- A Night at the Movies / Last Night of the Proms
May 2005
Details of the 2005 Welsh
Brass Arts Festival have finally been released. This year the Festival will once
again be comprised of two main events alongside an exciting new daytime
element, full details of which can be found below.
Brass Tracks - Friday June
10th
The first of the main evening
events, to be held on the evening of Friday June 10th, will be the premiere of
the latest Parc & Dare Band / Parc and Dare Theatre Partnership Project, a truly
unique evening of film and live music entitled "Brass Tracks".
The project, supported by
an Arts For All lottery grant from the Arts Council of Wales, along with
additional funding from Sgrin Cymru Wales, combines the skills of the Parc &
Dare Band, it's Musical Director Craig Roberts, silent film composer / pianist
Paul Shallcross and composer / orchestrator Leigh Phillips. The project will see
Parc & Dare perform a plethora of new arrangements of movie music for brass band
accompanied by a host of special theatrical effects and live film.
A former member of Parc & Dare, Leigh Phillips, has been commissioned to arrange
a selection of new titles especially for Brass Tracks, including the themes from
Spiderman, Supergirl, A Beautiful Mind, Masada, Small Soldiers and Jason & the
Argonauts. Leigh is an experienced theatre and film composer who, in addition to
composing original material, has also worked as an orchestrator for noted
Hollywood composers such as John Ottman and Joe Harnell. In addition to these
contemporary blockbusters, audience members will also be launched back in time
with the compositions of expert silent film pianist/composer Paul Shallcross who
has worked with Parc & Dare and Craig Roberts to transcribe his own compositions
for brass band to accompany the silent films of early twentieth-century Welsh
film pioneer William Haggar.
For the
show the band will also be joined by vocalist Natalya Romaniw, a student at
Swansea's Gorseinon College, who has recently secured a place to study at the
Guildhall School of Music (London). Through the course of the evening Natalya
will be performing David Arnold's Surrender, Gollum's Song (from Lord of the
Rings: The Two Towers), A Beautiful Mind, and May it Be (from Lord of the Rings:
The Fellowship of the Ring).
By kind
permission of both Universal and Sony Tri-Star, the music will be played out to
a backdrop of movie clips, images and special effects created exclusively for
the project by Craig Roberts, Leigh Phillips and digital artist Simon Prothero
in conjunction with the Parc & Dare Theatre.
Undoubtedly one of the most innovative and original projects for band seen in
recent years, following the premiere performance at the Welsh Brass Arts
Festival, the show will undertake a brief tour of a number of other venues
including Ystradgynlais' The Welfare, Swansea's Taliesin Arts Centre and
Leicestershire's Loughborough Town Hall.
Tickets for Brass Tracks can be purchased from the box offices of the various
venues as outlined below:
Parc & Dare Theatre, Treorchy (Friday June 10th) 01443 773112
The Welfare, Ystradgynlais (Thursday June 16th) 01639 843163
Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea (Friday June 17th) 01792 602060
Loughborough Town Hall, Leicestershire (Saturday June 18th) 01509 231914
Last
Night of the Proms - Saturday June 11th
In
addition to the premiere of the Brass Tracks project the 2005 Welsh Brass Arts
Festival will also see a unique Last Night of the Proms event, in celebration of
the 40th Anniversary of the Richard Williams Singers. The event, which will take
place on Saturday June 11th, will feature the superb Richard Williams Singers
alongside The Parc & Dare Band, The Gentlemen Songsters and renowned soprano
soloist Helen May, in a programme of fun and grandeur featuring everybody's
favourite light classics and all the traditional air of celebration with the
Fantasy on British Sea Songs, Rule Britannia, Land of Hope & Glory and
Jerusalem.
Tickets
for the Last of the Proms event are also available from the Parc and Dare
Theatre Box Office on 01443 773112.
Gwyl Gerdd
Ysgolion - Schools' Music Festival
The final
aspect of the 2005 Welsh Brass Arts Festival will be the addition of a new
daytime element to the event. In association with Rhondda Cynon Taf Music
Service, the Parc & Dare Band will for three days open the doors of the Parc and
Dare Theatre to provide schoolchildren with the unique opportunity to perform in
the professional setting of the palatial auditorium. This event, Gwyl Gerdd
Ysgolion - Rhondda Cynon Taf Schools' Music Festival, will be comprised of two
events.
The first,
"Showcase", will see 24 schools from across the county borough perform over two
days (Thursday June 9th and Friday June 10th) in a series of non-competitive,
individual performances which will be divided into four separate morning and
afternoon sessions. Each participating school will be allotted their own six
minute performance slot to feature their choice of instrumental music, vocal
music or dance, before combining with the other schools in that session to
conclude the morning or afternoon with a massed vocal item.
In
addition to this, an event for individual young performers, "Going Solo", will
be held on the morning and afternoon of Saturday June 11th. This event is open
to all pupils of primary and secondary age from across Rhondda Cynon Taf and,
unlike the Showcase event, will be competitive in nature. The young performers
will be divided into two categories, Junior (under 11) and Senior (11-18), with
one prize being awarded in each class.
Tickets
for the Gwyl Gerdd Ysgolion - Schools' Music Festival are again available from
the Box Office of the Parc and Dare Theatre on 01443 773112, while further
information on this, and other Rhondda Cynon Taf Music Service events can be
obtained from Rhondda Cynon Taf music Service direct on 01443 744017
For a full guide to the Parc & Dare Band's
engagements
and appearances, view the itinerary in the Events section of this site.
Press Release
March 2005
VE Day 60th Anniversary
Tribute: "Reconciliation & Remembrance"
with The Band of the Grenadier
Guards
On
Saturday May 7th the Parc & Dare Band present an evening of true military
splendour at the Parc and Dare Theatre, Treorchy, on the eve of the 60th
anniversary of VE Day, the end of the Second World War in Europe. The event will
feature the Parc & Dare Band alongside that of the Band of the Grenadier Guards
and other special guests including Rhondda-Cynon-Taf Youth Theatre Group,
Rhondda Sea Cadets Band and BBC Presenter Beverley Humphreys in a gala concert
consisting of favourite wartime songs, music and movie themes. The theme
throughout will be that of Reconciliation and Remembrance.
The official celebrations
will commence at around 4:00pm with a parade, led by the Band of the Grenadier
Guards, from the Baglan Fields, Treherbert to the Parc and Dare Theatre,
Treorchy.including, in addition to the Band of the Grenadier Guards, the South
Wales Police Band, Rhondda Sea Cadets Band, mounted police and World War
veterans.
This parade will conclude
at the Parc and Dare Theatre where it will be met with a fanfare performed by
the Parc & Dare Band. The parade will then ‘fall out’ and process into the
theatre where a brief memorial will be held, complete with hymn tunes, blessing
and the traditional last post.
In addition to the parade
a number of ancillary events will take place in the town throughout the course
of the day with Colstars Theatre Group performing Hits from the Blitz at various
locations around the town, a tea for senior citizens at St Matthew's Church Hall
organised by the local branch of the Women's Institute plus the possibility of a
street party being organised for local people in the immediate vicinity of the
Parc and Dare Theatre. Various youth ensembles from Rhondda Cynon Taf Music
Service will also provide entertainment during the day with the Senior Jazz
Group performing Glen Miller style big band music in the Theatre Lounge prior to
the main evening concert.
The evening concert will
commence at 7:30pm and will feature the combined talents of the Band of the
Grenadier Guards, the Parc & Dare Band, Rhondda Youth Theatre Group and Beverley
Humphreys and conclude with a traditional military Tattoo style finale of
Sunset, Evening Hymn, Last Post and the National Anthems.
The Parc & Dare Band hope
this will prove fitting tribute on the 60th Anniversary of such a
monumental event in our history, locally, nationally and internationally, and a
spectacular tribute to the veterans on behalf of Treorchy, Rhondda Cynon Taf and
of Wales.
Tickets for the concert
are available from the Parc and Dare Theatre Box Office on 01443 773112 priced
at just £10 for seats in the Circle and £9 (£8 Concessions) in the stalls.
Tickets for this event are anticipated to be very much in demand and so early
booking is well advised.
In addition to the
evening concert, parade and street party an exhibition, to which local people
and schoolchildren will be asked to contribute, is to be created and housed in
the Parc and Dare Theatre for the weeks preceding this event. The exhibition
will be specific to events and activities that took place in Rhondda Cynon Taf
during the wartime years. Anyone wishing to contribute to this exhibition should
contact the Parc and Dare Venue Development Officer Judi Hughes via the Theatre
Administration Office on 01443 775654
For a full guide to the Parc & Dare Band's
engagements
and appearances, view the itinerary in the Events section of this site.
Double Champions
March 2005
The Parc & Dare Band are proud to
announce that they have retained the title of Champion First Section Band of
Wales at the 2005 Besson Welsh Regional Championships which were held at the
Brangwyn Hall, Swansea on Saturday March 12th. In addition to the band once
again being awarded the Welsh Region Challenge Cup, Musical Director Craig
Roberts also became the inaugural recipient of the Melville James Trophy as
conductor of the winning First Section band. The band are only the second in the
history of the contest to achieve the unique double of consecutive wins at the
championships.
Parc & Dare were described as
"clear winners" by the banding press with the performance hailed as a "mature,
well balanced, musically shaped reading of quality". Particular praise was laid
upon principals Carl Saunders and Rob Burnett for their "fine work" and "classic
sound", the duo being described as "class acts indeed that gave the performance
two focal points of quality that never wavered".
Parc & Dare now look forward to
representing Wales at the National Brass Band Championships National Finals at
the Harrogate Convention Centre on Sunday September 25th.
For a full guide to the Parc & Dare Band's
engagements
and appearances, view the itinerary in the Events section of this site.
Cornet Star To Wear Red,
Black & Gold
March 2005
The Parc & Dare Band are pleased to announce the
signing of Salvationist cornet soloist Carl Saunders, who joins the band in the
position of co-principal cornet alongside the band's current principal, BBC
National Orchestra of Wales' Robert Samuel .
Carl will take the end chair with Parc & Dare for the first time at the
forthcoming Welsh Regional Championships at the Brangwyn Hall, Swansea on
Saturday, March 12th, where he will lead them in their bid to retain the Welsh
Region Challenge Cup in their performance of John Ireland's "Comedy Overture".
Carl, a staunch member of Cardiff Canton Salvation Army Band, where he is also
the Deputy Bandmaster and Junior Band Leader, performed his first cornet solo at
the age of five with the Canton Band. He then progressed through the junior band
into the senior band where he has been principal cornet for the last 16 years
and continues to serve along with his wife Christine and young daughter Abbie.
Carl has featured as a soloist with many of the finest Army bands including the
Enfield and Hendon Corps bands as well as the International Staff Band, with
whom he appeared as guest soloist at the 1998 Bandmasters Councils festival at
the Royal Albert Hall. He has performed as a soloist in many countries
including, Holland, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Canada and the United States, and
most recently Southern Australia where he undertook a concert tour hosted by the
Sydney Congress Hall Band in November 2004.
He has also, from time to time, appeared as guest soloist with a number of other
leading bands including the Fodens Band, as guest soloist at the Bridgewater
Hall, and Black Dyke Band, as guest soloist at the International Trumpet Guild
Festival in Manchester. Carl has featured on numerous CD recordings with the
Salvation Army's Household Troops Band, for whom he was principal cornet for six
years, as well as a CD recording with the Canton Band performing Army solos. His
new solo CD, 'Going Solo', where he is again accompanied by the Household Troops
Band, has just recently been released.
The signing of Carl Saunders completes the line-up for the Parc & Dare Band
which, as regular visitors will know, has already been strengthened through the
signings of a number of new players from Tredegar Band (John Lewis on the solo
cornet bench, Andrea Lewis on flugel horn and James Andrews on percussion) and
the signings of first trombonist Iwan Williams from Mid Rhondda, and Alex
Humphries on percussion, who joined the band from Northop Silver.
The band, fresh from their confident display at the Porthcawl Mineworker's
Eisteddfod contest where they picked up the Eifion Rogers Cup as the highest
placed first section band and the Porthcawl Challenge Trophy for the most
entertaining stage presentation overall, are in buoyant mood as they finalise
preparations for next week's Welsh area.
For a full guide to the Parc & Dare Band's
engagements
and appearances, view the itinerary in the Events section of this site. Any players wishing to apply for membership of
the Parc & Dare Band should contact contact Band Secretary
email
Vive la Difference!
February 2005
On Thursday February 10th the
Parc & Dare Band will host and perform in a landmark concert at Park Hall,
Cwmparc with L'Orchestre de Cuivres de Franche-Comte of Besancon, France and the
vibrant Rhondda Cynon Taf Youth Brass Band. The concert is the result of a joint
project between the Parc & Dare Band, Rhondda Cynon Taf Music Service and
Musique Jeunes et Voyages, which will see the relatively new French brass band,
L'Orchestre de Cuivres de Franche-Comte, visit Rhondda Cynon Taf for a full week
where they will receive tuition in brass band musicianship from Parc & Dare Band
Musical Director Craig Roberts and various members of the Parc & Dare Band.
The week will culminate in the
concert at Park Hall which will feature a wide selection of brass music from
Wales, France and beyond performed by the three bands involved in the project
and conclude with a massed performance Tchaikovsky's magnificent "1812"
overture. Tickets will be available "at the door" and priced at £3 each.
It is the firm hope of the Parc &
Dare Band and all parties involved that the week's will be the first of many
such events in both Rhondda Cynon Taf and France.
For a full guide to the Parc & Dare Band's
engagements
and appearances, view the itinerary in the Events section of this site.
Concert Details Unveiled
February 2005
Details of two of this year's
biggest forthcoming events in the 2005 Parc & Dare Band calendar have just been
released. Friday March 25th will see the band once again perform alongside the
world renowned Treorchy Male Choir in the annual Good Friday concert. The
concert will see both band and choir showcase only their finest material
individually before combining to perform, in fine Welsh fashion, "Ar Hyd Y Nos"
(All Through the Night) and "Gwahoddiad".
In addition to this the Parc &
Dare Band are proud to announce their special guests for the much anticipated VE
Day 60th Anniversary Tribute concert. The event, which will be held at the Parc
and Dare Theatre, Treorchy on Saturday May 7th will feature the Parc & Dare
Band, Rhondda Sea Cadets and BBC Presenter Beverley Humphreys and a group of
very special guests in a selection of favourite wartime songs and movie themes.
The guest performers for this 60th anniversary tribute will, in a rare
appearance in the principality, be the Band of the Grenadier Guards.
Further details on this VE Day
event will be released shortly and early booking will be very much advised as
demand for tickets is expected to be very high. Tickets for this VE Day concert
will be released for general sale at the Parc and Dare Theatre on the evening of
the Good Friday concert.
For a full guide to the Parc & Dare Band's
engagements
and appearances, view the itinerary in the Events section of this site.
Happy New Year Indeed!
January 2005
Well Happy New Year indeed to all our friends and supporters, and an extremely
Happy New Year 2005 promises to be with the band opening the year with a string
of exciting new signings. Towards the end of last year the band was fortunate to
secure the services of experienced cornetist John Lewis from Tredegar. Now at
the beginning of 2005 John is joined on the Solo Cornet bench by Andrea Lewis
and also James Andrews on percussion, both of whom have also left Tredegar for
the sunnier climes of Parc & Dare. In addition to this, further strengthening
the trombone section Iwan Williams has left Thomas Coaches Mid Rhondda to take
the First Trombone seat in the band.
These new signings place Parc & Dare in an even stronger position than that
which last year saw the band become Runner-Up Champion Band in the Championship
Section of the Welsh League, Runner-Up Champion First Section Band of Great
Britain and Champion First Section Band of Wales. The band will be unveiling
their new line up at the Porthcawl Entertainments Contest held in the Grand
Pavilion, Porthcawl on Saturday February 19th ahead of the annual Welsh Regional
Championships in which the band will be competing in at the Brangwyn Hall,
Swansea on Saturday March 12th.
For a full guide to the Parc & Dare Band's
engagements
and appearances for 2005 view the itinerary in the Events section of this site. Any
players wishing to apply for membership of
the Parc & Dare Band should contact Band Secretary
email
A Very Merry Christmas
December 2004
"The Glory of Christmas" with the Richard Williams Singers & Gentlemen Songsters
and Porth County Community Comprehensive Senior School Choir brought to a close
a magnificent year for the Parc & Dare Band.
Performing in front of a near capacity crowd at the palatial Parc and Dare
Theatre the band thrilled the packed auditorium with a superb selection of
festive tunes including Rodney Newton's scintillating arrangement of "Gaudete",
Sandy Smith's sparkling "Santaclaustraphobia" and Gordon Langford's magnificent
"Christmas Fantasy". Soloists Rob Burnett (euphonium) and Paul Reffell (bass
trombone) shone in, respectively "O Holy Night" and "Frosty the Snowman" before
Robert Samuel (cornet), Iwan Williams (trombone), Helen Kinder (euphonium) and
James Andrews (xylophone) further wowed an appreciative audience in Peter
Graham's "Call of the Cossacks".
The Parc & Dare Junior Band kept theatre patrons entertained both before the
show and during intermission performing carols in the theatre lounge while the
combination of the vibrant Porth County Community School Choir and the sublime
sounds of The Richard Williams Singers & Gentlemen Songsters all made for a
simply perfect evening. Such was the phenomenal success of the show that "The
Glory of Christmas" will return to the Parc and Dare Theatre next December and,
if the popularity of this year's event is anything to go by, early booking is
very much advised!
Following the event the Parc & Dare Junior Band performed with great alacrity in
their own event at Park Hall, Cwmparc on Thursday December 16th while both the
senior and junior bands will combine for one final seasonal performance at the
Tesco store, Talbot Green on Thursday December 23rd. The Parc & Dare Band would
like to take this opportunity to offer thanks to all members of both the band
itself, its committee, the junior band (and parents!) and all our friends and
supporters both home and abroad for their hard work and support throughout 2004
and looks forward to continuing and strengthening these good relations in 2005.
A copy of the band's itinerary for the year ahead will be posted on this site
presently with in-depth articles on the forthcoming events to follow, but in the
meantime our thanks for your support once again and a very Merry Christmas and
Happy New year to all - Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda!
A Fitting Close
November 2004
The 2004 contesting season came to a close with the South East Wales Brass Band
Association Championships held this month at our own Park + Dare Theatre. At the
contest following their string of contest success this year (including becoming
Champion First Section Band of Wales and Runner-Up National Champion First
Section Band of Great Britain) the Parc & Dare Band were named Runner-Up
Champion Band of the Welsh League for 2004. In addition to all this the band's
Musical Director Craig Roberts was awarded the Eric James Memorial Trophy as
Conductor of the Year 2004.
The band now looks forward to building upon the successes of 2004 and continuing
to go from strength to strength in the new year. Details of the band's itinerary
for 2005 will be posted here soon.
Christmas Concert Details
Released
October 2004
Details of the Parc & Dare Band Christmas concerts have now been released.
On Thursday November 18th the band will perform, along with the Parc & Dare
Junior Band, in a charity concert in aid of St. John's Church, Cymmer at St.
John's itself. The concert will commence at 7:00pm with advance tickets
available (priced at £4 each) from the organiser Mrs Audrey Morgan on 01443
On Saturday December 11th the band will then
perform in it's own seasonal event "The Glory of Christmas" at the Park + Dare
Theatre, Treorchy. Billed as "a traditional family concert perfectly capturing
the true spirit of Christmas" the concert will feature the band alongside The
Richard Williams Singers & Gentlemen Songsters and Porth County Community
Comprehensive Senior School Choir with entertainment prior to the event and
during intermission being provided by the Parc & Dare Junior Band. Tickets are
available from the Park + Dare Theatre Box Office on 01443 773 112 and due to
the popularity of this event early booking is strongly advised.
In addition to these two events the Parc & Dare
Junior Band will also be holding their own concert on Thursday December 16th at
Park Hall, Cwmparc which will feature the children performing a selection of
festive music and solo items. Tickets will be available "at the door" at a
suggested donation of £2.
For a full guide to the Parc & Dare Band's
engagements
and appearances view the itinerary in the Events section of this site.
That Silverware Just
Keeps On Coming
October 2004
The annual South-West Wales Brass Band Championships, held this year in
Ammanford, yielded another piece of silverware to add to the now bulging Parc &
Dare trophy cabinet with the band taking second prize in the Championship
Section of the contest with a second stunning performance of "The King of
Elfland's Daughter". Many people felt that this performance outclassed even that
given the previous month in Harrogate which led to the band being crowned
Runner-Up Champion First Section Band of Great Britain. Clearly Rodney Newton's
fine, descriptive composition has been a piece which has clearly agreed with the
band but now its on to George Lloyd and his "Diversions On A Bass Theme" for the
South East Wales Brass Band Association contest to be held on home turf at the
Park + Dare Theatre, Treorchy next month on Saturday November 13th.
Tickets for this contest are available
from the Box Office of the Park + Dare Theatre on 01443 773 177. For a full guide to the Parc & Dare Band's
engagements
and appearances, view the itinerary in the Events section of this site.
Canada Here We Come - Again!
October 2004
Following the band's outstanding
performance in the 2004 Nova Scotia International Tattoo in June/July of this
year Parc & Dare are proud to announce that Colonel Ian Fraser,
Producer/Director of the show, has invited the band to return to Nova Scotia and
the world's largest military and civilian indoor event of it's kind in 2005.
In a recent communication Col.
Fraser stated that the band "put on a tremendous performance and proved they
were outstanding musicians". He went on to state that "we have three rules at
the show, and the third only applies when the first two have been satisfied.
Those rules are: 1. Put on a good show - and you have fulfilled that one without
question; 2. Have a good time while in Halifax; and, 3. Assuming the first two
have been met (which they have) - you at Parc & Dare must return."
The band were the first group to
represent Wales at the Nova Scotia International Tattoo and would be delighted
to return in 2005 continuing their role as musical ambassadors of the Rhondda
and the principality. Support for this venture will now be actively sought out.
If you would like to support the Parc &
Dare Band or any of its activities, including this tour, visit the Sponsorship
section of this website or contact Website Manager
Mike Pickin
Further information on the Nova Scotia
International Tattoo can be found at
www.nstattoo.ca
And A Third Trophy Makes It A Hat Trick
September 2004
Following their success in winning the First Section of the Welsh Regional
Championships held at the Brangwyn Hall, Swansea in March this year, the Parc &
Dare Band were selected to represent Wales at the National Brass Band
Championships of Great Britain on September 11th. The band represented the
principality with pride and were rewarded for their sterling work on the
test-piece, Rodney Newton's "The King of Elfland's Daughter" with a very
creditable second place. Adjudicator Richard Evans stated that the performance
was, "stylish", "well controlled", "well shaped" and "well portrayed". He went
on to state that principals Rob Samuel and Rob Burnett, who featured heavily in
the performance, were both "very fine" and "stylish" players, and in his closing
remarks Richard stated that this was "a fine performance, well directed with a
couple of small slips but this is a good band and M.D."
As Champion First Section Band of Wales and now Runner-Up Champion First Section
Band of Great Britain the band can be justifiably proud of their achievements in
2004 and will now go on to build upon this good work in 2005, beginning with
next year's Welsh Regional Championships and the set test-piece, John Ireland's
"Comedy Overture"
For a full guide to the Parc & Dare Band's
engagements
and appearances, view the itinerary in the Events section of this site.
New Look For Nationals
August 2004
The band is pleased to announce
that they will be unveiling their new look walking out uniform at the National
Championships on September 11th. The new look blazers and ties have been
designed to incorporate the familiar Parc & Dare colours of black, red and gold
which is feature of both the band crest and it's instantly recognisable stage
jackets.
The purchase of these new
uniforms was made possible in part thanks to a substantial donation to the band
from the Pentre Charity Shop, whose continued good work in the community we
applaud and to whom we extend our earnest thanks. Through the donation the band
was further able to purchase a new set of stand banners which will be unveiled
at the Christmas Concert in the Park + Dare Theatre on Saturday December 11th.
Black formal shirts bearing the
band crest will also be issued to bandmembers to be worn at recordings and
similar functions or when travelling as a band on long coach journeys. These
shirts have been purchased by the band supporters committee to whom we also
express our thanks both for this donation and their continued support
If you would like to help support the Parc &
Dare Band and its activities please contact Website Manager
Mike Pickin
or for further information on support on a larger scale please visit the Sponsors section of this website.
Comings And Goings
August 2004
In preparation for the National
Championships and the remainder of the contesting season ahead the Parc & Dare
Band would like to welcome new members Sian Brimble, who replaces Terry Hale on
third cornet, and Helen Kinder who fills the vacant euphonium chair. Andrew Williams has moved onto second
baritone, replacing Bryn Payne, while Ros Wright replaces Rhiannon
Williams on percussion.
The band would like thanks the
outgoing members for their service over the past twelve months and looks forward
to going from strength to strength with the new personnel.
Anyone wishing to apply for membership of
the band should contact Band Secretary
email
And A Good Time Was Had
By All
July 2004
After a busy summer the band has now begun to settle back into normality. The
Festival was a resounding success as always and such was the public response to
the D-Day tribute that a similar event is now being planned to celebrate the
60th anniversary of VE Day in May next year along with a further CD recording.
The tour was also a resounding success with the band making many friendships in
different nations. It was also a pleasure and a surprise to meet so many people
from the homeland and to our friends from Swansea and Ynyshir now living in
Halifax we send our warmest wishes and very best regards.
On the subject of the Tattoo one of the most popular acts at the Nova Scotia
Tattoo, The Russian Cossack State Dance Company will be
visiting Wales later this year with performances in both St. David's Hall,
Cardiff and the Grand Theatre, Swansea. We simply cannot recommend these
exceptional artists highly enough and can only state that if you have the
opportunity to attend one of their performances then do so!
The band will now resume preparations for the National Brass Band Championships
which will be held in Harrogate on September 11th. More news on this and the
other events in which the band will be participating in the latter half of the
year will be posted here soon.
For a full guide to the Parc & Dare Band's
engagements
for this year, view the itinerary in the Events section of this site.
Bon Voyage
June 2004
The band will soon be making
tracks for Halifax, not Yorkshire that is, but Nova Scotia, Canada. The band
have been invited to perform at the Nova Scotia International Tattoo, the
largest military and civilian indoor event of it's kind anywhere in the world.
The show's producer/director Col. Ian Fraser, who invited the band to come to
the tattoo, stated in a recent press release that "we're thrilled to have this
top-notch band join us this year".
The band will be joining one of
the largest casts ever assembled at the show with over 2000 performers from
Canada, Australia, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Russia, Switzerland and the
United Kingdom participating in the Tattoo. In addition to massed pipes and
drums the show also features military displays and competitions, dancers,
choirs, acrobats, comedians and much more.
Alongside Parc & Dare other bands
appearing at the show will include the Calgary Stampede Band; the 105 piece
Cadets de Geneve from Switzerland; German Army Band Heeremusikkorps 1 from
Hanover; and, also from the U.K., the Royal Air Force Regiment Band will be
performing alongside the Queen's Colour Squadron. Canadian Bands include the
Stadacona Band of Maritime Forces Atlantic, Land Force Atlantic Area Army Band
and, from Ottawa, the Band of the Ceremonial Guard.
In addition to the bands
mentioned above the Juliana Bicycle Team from Millingen in the Netherlands, the
Trippel German High Bar Team and the Russian Cossack State Dance Company will
also all feature in the Tattoo plus one of the largest pipe bands the show has
ever seen comprised of pipers from Australia (Scots College Pipes & Drums from
Sydney), France (La Bagad de Lann-Bihoue) and Canada (including the Delta Police
from Vancouver, British Columbia; 2nd Batallion, The Royal Canadian Regiment;
the Nova Scotia Highlanders; the Atlantic Region Tri-service Cadets and the Nova
Scotia International Tattoo / Black Watch Association Pipes & Drums).
Further information on the show
can be found at the website of the Nova Scotia International Tattoo
www.nstattoo.ca
Festival Plans Unveiled
May 2004
Details of this year's Welsh Brass Arts Festival have finally been unveiled and
the event promises to be as spectacular as those of the past three years.
Friday June 4th will be a reprise of the popular "Brass & Voices" event which
this year will see the magnificent Pendyrus Male Choir appear alongside the band
in their first appearance at the Park + Dare Theatre in fifteen years! The group
agreed to appear with the band following their joint appearance at Cardiff's
Millennium Stadium in 2002. Alongside Pendyrus and the band will be the star of
the first "Brass & Voices" event, soprano Denise Leigh. Since performing at the
Festival in 2001 Denise, now a firm Classic FM favourite, shot to fame by
winning Channel 4's "Operatunity" television programme and it is with great
pride that the band announce her much-requested and long-anticipated return to
the Festival.
Saturday June 5th will see the band perform alongside Wales' own opera star
Beverley Humphreys in a tribute to D-Day on the eve of the 60th anniversary of
the historic landings. The event will sadly not be featuring Amsterdam Brass as
the group have been forced to cancel their whole UK tour, however alongside BBC
Radio Wales 'Showtime' presenter Beverley and the band will be the Rhondda Sea
Cadets Band and the children of Rhondda-Cynon-Taff Youth Brass Band. The evening
will be interspersed with speeches and news reports from the period and will
conclude in a military tattoo style finale complete with sunset, evening hymn
and last post - two events definitely not to be missed!
Tickets are available from the Park + Dare Theatre Box Office on 01443 773 112.
For
further information on this year's Welsh Brass Arts Festival and past events
visit the Festival section of this site. A Highlights CD of the 2001
event is also available in the Recordings section.
For a full guide to the Parc & Dare Band's
engagements
for this year, view the itinerary in the Events section of this site.
Further information on this year's guest
artists can be found at
www.beverleyhumphreys.com
www.deniseleigh.com
and www.pendyrus.org
Another Trophy
May 2004
A second piece of silverware
joins the Welsh Region Challenge Cup in the Parc & Dare trophy cabinet with the
band's superb flugel horn Rachel Watkins picking up the Herbert H. Cook Memorial
Trophy at the recent South East Wales Brass Band Association Championships held
at the Ebbw Vale Leisure Centre for her sublime playing in the flugel solo of
Philip Wilby's "Paganini Variations".
Adjudicator C. Brian Buckley
stated that the performance had "some really good moments" and that flugel horn
player Rachel "played so well"
The band will now go on to seek
further plaudits with performances of Rodney Newton's "The King of Elfland's Daughter" at both
the National Championships of Great Britain and the South West Wales Championships later in the year.
For a full guide to the Parc & Dare Band's
engagements
for this year, view the itinerary in the Events section of this site.
A Very Happy Easter
April 2004
The annual Good Friday concert
with Treorchy Male Choir proved to be a resounding success this year as both
choir, freshly returned from their six week tour of Australia, and band
performed to the height of their abilities in front of a packed auditorium at
the Park + Dare Theatre. The evening was thoroughly enjoyed by all in attendance
and with the event back to the very peak of its popularity early booking for
next year is definitely advised! The 2005 Good Friday Concert will be held on
Friday March 25th.
For a full guide to the Parc & Dare Band's
engagements
for this year, view the itinerary in the Events section of this site.
Champion Brass
March 2004
The Parc & Dare Band have been
crowned Champion First Section Band of Wales following a superb performance of
Bramwell Tovey's "Coventry Variations" at the Brangwyn Hall, Swansea.
Adjudicator Geoffrey Whitham declared the performance to be "well balanced" with
"good shape", and stated that this was "a musical reading ... a good
performance".
Through this win the band have now qualified for
the National Finals and will go on to represent Wales at the National Brass Band
Championships of Great Britain which will be held at the Harrogate Convention
Centre on September 11th.
For a full guide to the Parc & Dare Band's
engagements
for this year, view the itinerary in the Events section of this site.
Dydd Dewi Sant
February 2004
The St. David's Day Spectacular, which
featured the band alongside Cor Meibion Cwm Rhondda, Ton Pentre Junior School
Choir and our own Parc & Dare Junior Band proved to be a wonderful evening for
all in attendance at the concert on February 28th. Feeling that a focal point
for St. David's Day celebrations in Rhondda-Cynon-Taff was definitely required,
it has been the band's intention for some time to initiate an annual celebration
of the feast day of the patron saint of Wales. Based on the success of this
year's event, it is definitely planned to repeat the concert in the future.
For a full guide to the Parc & Dare Band's
engagements
for this year, view the itinerary in the Events section of this site.
An Exciting Year Ahead
January 2004
Welcome to the new look Parc & Dare website
and also to what promises to be a very exciting year in the history of the Parc
& Dare Band. On the competition front the band was certainly beginning to
perform very strongly indeed once again at the end of 2003, culminating in being
awarded third prize at the South East Wales Brass Band Championships held at the
Park & Dare Theatre in November. The band's performance of Eric Ball's "Festival
Music" was well commended by both audience and adjudicator alike, many people in
fact approaching the band after the contest to
applaud the performance and to state that they felt the band should perhaps have been placed
second, but, as a wise man once said, "you can't win them all".
The band has a number of exciting projects in
the pipeline on the concert front for 2004, the first of which will be the
'St. David's Day Spectacular' which will be held at the Park + Dare Theatre on
Saturday February 28th and feature the band alongside Cor Meibion Cwm Rhondda
and the truly excellent Ton Pentre Junior School Choir. This will be followed by the
annual Good Friday Concert with the Parc & Dare Band and Treorchy Male Choir on
April 9th before the Welsh Brass Arts Festival returns once again in June -
further information on which will be posted here presently.
The first half of 2004 will then culminate in
a tour to Canada where the band have been invited to perform at the world's
largest indoor show, the Nova Scotia International Tattoo. Again, more information on
this will be posted here presently but those wishing to know more about the show
can visit the Tattoo's website at
www.nstattoo.ca
For a full guide to the Parc & Dare Band's
engagements
for this year, view the itinerary in the Events section of this site.
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