Musical Director

I can remember the day I was given my first instrument as though it was yesterday, 62 years have now passed but knocking on the Bandroom door all those years ago is still fresh in my memory. I was handed a battered cornet and told to take it home and practice, “come back when you can play something– no music mind you; just get on with it”.

It was the time when the second world war was finishing, Troops were arriving home ready for demob, many used to turn up for practice in their uniforms, what a great sight. It was a bit lucky that I was also taking piano lessons and that did help in some way to get me started, I also sang in the Church Choir and I must be the only Choir boy to be sacked, as my interest in the Band grew I would turn up to hear the Band practice on a Sunday afternoon rather than go to church choir practice and one day it became too much for the choir master Mr Rhys Thomas who pulled me aside one day asked me to choose Band or Choir. ‘NO CONTEST!' I could not sing to save my life anyway!

I was taken under the wing of Mr Bill Thomas after a few months, the lesson was about 15 minutes every fortnight, Bill was a Bass Trombone player, but he used to accompany me on his other instrument, would you believe – a violin? No wonder it took me so long to break into the band circle. Eventually Mr Dick Ellis Evans started junior classes and when he was appointed Bandmaster I joined up.

In those days the Band has some players of note: Bill Daniels and Trevor Humphreys on euphonium, Graham Jones, Stan Ferguson, Sam Jones and Bob Bailiff on cornets. A Bass section second to none that included players like Sam Hayward, Bob Harper and Andrew Jones. On Trombone Bill Thomas and Joe Daniels. I owe a lot to the old Band members; Mr Dick Ellis Evans pointed me in the right direction and worked very hard on me. Mr Bill Daniels was indeed an inspiration to lots of the youngsters and to the Band as a unit. He would be a very proud man today to see us, as he did much to steer the Band through its dark days, Mr Bob Bailiff also had a hand in keeping the Band going again through many a dark day when it seemed easier to give up than to continue to struggle. But continue is what we do best. Is there a piece of music called ‘Survive’? We can dedicate that to this Band.

When I eventually took over as conductor the bad days were almost behind us and whilst I have experienced very low days, the high’s outnumber them. From the ashes we rose again, we returned to the contest scene, we took on engagements, not always successful, but never-the-less we were back in business. A highlight of those days must have been the contract we signed with CADW for the Band to play in all the major North Wales Castles throughout the summer season on Sunday afternoons. This contract was for two years, what a joy; a coach to take us to seaside resorts for Band, family and friends, and also getting paid for it! What more could you ask for? By now we had decided to forget the contest world and commit ourselves to entertaining the general public, which we still do to this day.

Recently I decided to step down as conductor, and the Band have generously made me Musical Director, a post I am so proud to hold. Trevor Williams who has taken over as Conductor is a very good long standing friend of mine, and I know he shares the same views and aspirations that I do. One only has to sit in on one of the junior classes to see his intent.

Many, many bandsmen and women have passed through the current door of the First World War Army Hut we call home. One day; hopefully soon, this can be replaced by something new for the next generation of Band members, a new building that will stand in honour of, and to the memory of those who have strived and endeavoured throughout the history of the Band.

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