{"id":570,"date":"2020-12-31T17:27:00","date_gmt":"2020-12-31T17:27:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/melingriffith.co.uk\/?p=570"},"modified":"2021-11-23T22:08:27","modified_gmt":"2021-11-23T22:08:27","slug":"round-up-of-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/melingriffith.co.uk\/en\/round-up-of-2020\/","title":{"rendered":"Round up of 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pl-570\"  class=\"panel-layout\" ><div id=\"pg-570-0\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-570-0-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-570-0-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-570 gallery-columns-5 gallery-size-thumbnail'>\n<figure class='gallery-item'>\n<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a 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src=\"https:\/\/melingriffith.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/M1-xmas-video-150x150.png\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<figure class='gallery-item'>\n<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/melingriffith.co.uk\/en\/m4-jingle-bells\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/melingriffith.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/M4-jingle-bells-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<figure class='gallery-item'>\n<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/melingriffith.co.uk\/en\/featured-image-news-four\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/melingriffith.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/featured-image-news-four-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<p>Well, 2020 has certainly been a bit different to the normal brass banding year of City of Cardiff Melingriffith Brass Band Organisation.\u00a0 January got off to a flying start with all five bands back rehearsing with a range of new music and looking forward to the year ahead.\u00a0 M1, M2 and M3 had their heads down working on pieces for the regionals and CommBrass and M4 got stuck into some new challenges.<\/p>\n<p>February saw the start of the six nations and M10, our 10-piece group from CommBrass and M2 entertaining the pre match shoppers in St David\u2019s Centre for each home game.\u00a0 It was great to be playing in such a happy atmosphere with a range of Welsh tunes from traditional to the legendary Tom Jones, and of course the national anthems of the playing sides.<\/p>\n<p>The band luckily wasn\u2019t impacted by the terrible flooding in the area, with just one weather related rehearsal cancellation for M3 and M4. The weather was still wet and windy when M1 travelled to Porthcawl to take part in the 2020 Welsh Open Entertainment Championship.\u00a0 The band came away with second prize, best horn section and most entertaining band thanks to musical director Christopher Bond\u2019s exciting programme.<\/p>\n<p>The Welsh Regional Area Contest in Swansea took place on the first weekend in March with M2 performing \u201cEndurance\u201d by Andrew Baker, gaining 5<sup>th<\/sup> place after a two year gap from the Welsh regionals.\u00a0 M1 gave a great performance of \u201cA Tale as Yet Untold\u201d by Philip Sparke gaining 4<sup>th<\/sup> place \u2013 tantalisingly close to a trip to the Royal Albert Hall!<\/p>\n<p>After lots of hard work our first youth open day was set for 28<sup>th<\/sup> March with a session for beginners to grade 3 in the morning and grade 4 and above in the afternoon, with the opportunity to work alongside M1 players.\u00a0 However, plans were thwarted by Covid-19 and the event had to be cancelled.\u00a0 We hope to be able to run the event later in 2021 or early 2022.<\/p>\n<p>Disappointment was also in store for M1 with a trip to Cornwall cancelled for \u201cAn afternoon at the Movies\u201d which would have been an amazing event.\u00a0 The CommBrass Charity Spring Concert was also cancelled \u2013 an annual event in aid of Cardiff Churches Night Shelter that we look forward to every year \u2013 not just because of the amount of tea and cake in the interval!<\/p>\n<p>So, with rehearsing in person not an option the bands moved online with CommBrass trying out Zoom first, once we got the hang of sharing audio and muting everyone to play along to tracks it was plain sailing - honest!\u00a0 Playing was interspersed with quizzes, bingo and scattergories for those with neighbours less keen on rehearsals next door.\u00a0 M4 carried on with their rehearsals in small groups learning about rhythms, intervals, syncopation and dynamics as well as playing.\u00a0 M3 had quizzes and scavenger hunts to catch up during normal rehearsing times.\u00a0 M2 joined up with CommBrass with online playalongs every Tuesday evening.\u00a0 M1 followed with weekly themed quizzes from Blackpool, the FA cup to Eurovision.<\/p>\n<p>In May VE day was celebrated across the country \u2013 members of the organisation could be heard playing the last post in their streets and gardens across South Wales and as far away as the east coast of England!<\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, we were unable to hold our annual gala concert which showcases all five bands individually and together with one massed band piece.\u00a0 We were also not able to run our normal awards night for the organisation and say goodbye, thank you and good luck to the members of the organisation who were off to university across the UK or finishing at RWCMD.\u00a0 M1 held their very own alternative awards event and M3 made us all very proud with the organisation\u2019s first virtual performance, recording Sing with a little help from their friends in M1 to mark the occasion.<\/p>\n<p>The organisation selects a charity to support every year alongside the fundraising we do for the band.\u00a0 This year it is Touch Trust, a fantastic Cardiff based organisation that provides unique creative movement programmes for individuals with learning difficulties, complex needs or other vulnerabilities.\u00a0 As we have not been able organise any concerts to raise money this year we have focussed our efforts in the digital world.\u00a0 M1 teamed up with some of Touch Trust\u2019s staff and service users in July to present a virtual performance of \u201cBring Me Sunshine\u201d.\u00a0 A fantastic performance from everyone bound to bring a smile to your face.<\/p>\n<p>As the regulations relaxed a little over the summer, CommBrass and M2 managed a few socially distanced \u201crehearsals\u201d outside, with thanks to Tongwynlais Rugby Club for the use if their field.\u00a0 The weather was kind and members really enjoyed playing together again even if we were a bit \u201crusty\u201d.\u00a0 Members of the public walking past were obviously missing live music too as we had lots of people stopping to listen and give lovely comments.<\/p>\n<p>Moving into the Autumn it was time for the Cory Online Brass Band Championships.\u00a0 M1 picked up 3<sup>rd<\/sup> place overall, together with prizes for best horns, best euphoniums and baritones, and best Welsh music.\u00a0 The programme featured three arrangements by M1\u2019s musical director Christopher Bond with some beautiful melodies in \u201dAnfonfal\/Angel\u201d by Robot Arwyn, \u201cWelsh Melody\u201d and the upbeat Tom Jones classic \u201cIt\u2019s Not Unusual\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>CommBrass and M2 were back on Zoom with the colder weather trying out some new music.\u00a0 Although we couldn\u2019t attend the normal Remembrance Sunday services members of the band were proud to play the last post at a number of smaller services in the local area.\u00a0 M1 were able to bring together the Melingriffith Band of World War 2 with current players in a brand new arrangement by their musical director Christopher Bond in a moving virtual performance of \u201cWe\u2019ll Meet Again\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Following the regulations with limited numbers, large halls, social distancing, an electronic thermometer, bell moisture guards and open windows M2 and CommBrass were able to rehearse indoors for a few weeks before lockdown began in earnest again for those that wanted too.\u00a0 This was in addition to the weekly zoom sessions for those who weren\u2019t able to attend in person.<\/p>\n<p>We have really missed Christmas carolling this year with only a couple of Christmas events with a quartet.\u00a0 But we\u2019ve certainly had fun putting together seven Christmas videos to raise money for the organisation and Touch Trust.\u00a0 This included four soloists from M1 with flugelhorn Cerys Mair Hughes playing \u201cAway in a Manager\u201d, principal cornet Becky Cale with \u201cRudolph the Red Nose Reindeer\u201d, principal euphonium Lizzie Connell playing \u201cin the Bleak Midwinter\u201d and solo horn Lowenna Taylor with \u201cWhite Christmas\u201d.\u00a0 CommBrass and M2 collaborated on a brilliant performance of Shakin\u2019 Stevens \u201cMerry Christmas Everyone\u201d, we were really pleased to make the ITV news and radio Wales to promote the organisation and Touch Trust.\u00a0 This was followed up by our talented M4 and M3 members recording \u201cJingle Bells\u201d and a great job they did too \u2013 got everyone in the mood for Christmas.\u00a0 Our final video featured M1 and singer Laura Mansell in a brand new brass band adaptation of \u201cAll I want for Christmas is You\u201d.\u00a0 M1 were also featured on S4C on Christmas Day performing with Al Lewis on his Christmas show.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019d like to thank the Arts Council for Wales for funding to allow us to take forward these video projects, to hire bigger rehearsal spaces and make adaptions to the ventilation in the band room so we can hopefully use it again for small groups once regulations allow.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019d also like to thank our band managers, musical directors \/ conductors, KMJ Recordings (Keith Johnson), Neil Brownless and Sion Roberts for all their work on our online performances this year.<\/p>\n<p>One last massive thank you to Dave Howard who has played such a big part in the organisation over many years, latterly conducting CommBrass and playing euphonium with M2.\u00a0 Dave has moved away from Cardiff and we are really going to miss him, but wish him all the best for his new career as chief baby sitter for his grandson and playing with Towester Studio Band.\u00a0 We\u2019d also like to thank all our supporters around the UK and who knows \u00a0- the world!<\/p>\n<p>2020 certainly has been an unusual year with personal losses for some of the organisation\u2019s members.\u00a0 We\u2019d like to remember those loved ones and hope that music and our band family have helped in some small way.\u00a0 We are looking forward to what 2021 will bring for the organisation and very much hope we will be back playing together in person in not too many months!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-570-1\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-570-1-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-570-1-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-button panel-first-child\" data-index=\"1\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-button so-widget-sow-button-flat-9eae5103a4f7-570\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div class=\"ow-button-base ow-button-align-justify\"\n style=\"display: block;\">\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/uk.virginmoneygiving.com\/charity-web\/charity\/displayCampaignsHomePage.action?charityId=1020258\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"sowb-button ow-icon-placement-left ow-button-hover\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" \t>\n\t\t<span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-fontawesome sow-far\" 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off to a flying start with [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":609,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[92,16,6,26,53,32,11,14],"class_list":["post-570","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-92","tag-anniversary-of-ve-day","tag-brass-band","tag-brass-band-competition","tag-cardiff","tag-carols-christmas","tag-cory-online-brass-band-competition","tag-touch-trust"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/melingriffith.co.uk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/570","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/melingriffith.co.uk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/melingriffith.co.uk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/melingriffith.co.uk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/melingriffith.co.uk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=570"}],"version-history":[{"count":35,"href":"https:\/\/melingriffith.co.uk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/570\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":612,"href":"https:\/\/melingriffith.co.uk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/570\/revisions\/612"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/melingriffith.co.uk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/609"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/melingriffith.co.uk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=570"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/melingriffith.co.uk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=570"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/melingriffith.co.uk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=570"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}