THE Greater Gwent Youth Brass Band has beat off stiff competition from four other groups to be named the best brass band in Wales.

The group stole the show in this year’s Band Ieuenctid Cymru competition with their performance of Mr Sandman at the Parc and Dare Theatre in Treorchy.

Conducted by Gareth Ritter, the performance even featured a choreographed storyline of one-upmanship between four-hand bell players.

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.

Adjudicator Dr Graham Jones said: “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.”

Director of the Greater Gwent Youth Brass Band, Gareth Ritter, added: “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.”

Gwent Youth Wind Orchestra, led by Sean O’Neill, also made the final and performed the Entry of the Gladiators by Julius Fucik, Instant Concert by Harold L. Walters and James Bond 007 by John Barry.

The two other acts to to perform on the night were Band Jazz Tryfan and the Cardiff and Vale Music Service Youth Jazz Orchestra.