In 2019 M1 saw more changes and warmly welcomed Christopher Bond, a brilliant young conductor and composer, as their full time conductor. They have continued to work their way up the rankings under Chris’s baton, presenting exciting and varied programmes, and are currently in the top 40 in the world and top 5 in Wales.

M2 has now repositioned itself as a development band for our talented youth players to progress and develop their brass band skills alongside experienced adult players. They welcomed Martyn Ford as their conductor, again in 2019, and are now performing well in the 3rd section with amazing progress from youth players who have also been successful in gaining places on the Welsh national youth brass band and orchestra.

M3 continue to win gold season after season at the youth brass band competitions under the encouragement and baton of Carol Flanary-Davies. We continue to welcome new members as we wave goodbye to members moving to university or to further their musical careers.

M4 continued to grow under the baton of M1’s principal cornet Becky Cale with new students developing their musical knowledge and ensemble playing and moving on to M3. Becky has recently handed over the baton to M1’s horn player Chris Turnbull in 2020 to continue to the good work.

Comm Brass also saw a change in conductor with the bands euphonium player Dave Howard taking over from Jake Pritchard in 2017. Dave brought his vast experience with the band and his arranging skills to continue to move the band forward musically.

The band took part in its one and only competition at the Eistedfodd in 2018, when it was held in Cardiff, with a rousing Tom Jones medley – well it would be rude not to!

To learn more about the history and the modern Melingriffith Brass Band, feel free to take a look at our history and learn more about us.