Tredegar certainly enjoyed a warm welcome from the brass band fans of Maryport in Cumbria 24 hours before they headed to Sage Gateshead for the Brass in Concert Championship.

And the band gave a packed audience over 400 people at All Souls Church a real treat in return - one that gained them a standing ovation at the end of the night.

Sneak preview

Not only did they give a sneak premier of their programme, they also included a host of easy listening favourites, from the classic overture to ‘The Arcadians’ to ‘McArthur Park’ and ‘The Lost Chord’ (complete with church organ) to close.

In between there were superb solos from Dewi Griffiths, Ryan Richards, Ian Roberts, Danny Winder and Martyn Patterson, whilst as a special treat for everyone, the band was conducted in the march, ‘The Senator’ by concert organiser Parker Wilkinson.

Not only did they give a sneak premier of their programme, they also included a host of easy listening favourites, from the classic overture to ‘The Arcadians’ to ‘McArthur Park’ and ‘The Lost Chord’ (complete with church organ) to close.

Special performance

Parker is a former conductor of the Flimby Saxhorn Sliver Band – the one that Tredegar MD Ian Porthouse started his playing career with, and the performance was made even more special as Ian’s dad Jim, and son Harry joined the cornet ranks (above with Parker Wilkinson - centre).

“That was one of the best concerts we have been involved in,” Ian later said. “Parker is a legend in these parts, so it was so good to be able to put on a concert like that for him. Our thanks go to him for making it such a success.”