Conductor
Sue Massey from Penmaenmawr is the conductor. Sue Joined
the Menai Bridge Silver Band when she was studying music
in Bangor University. She has been a member of the band
for three and a half years now and has been conducting
for two years.
Congratulations to Sue on winning the Learner
of the Year  trophy
at the 2005 National Eisteddfod.
The Band
Congratulations to the band at competing In the National
Eisteddfod in the Faenol. They came second in the Silver
band competition Class Four on Saturday 30th of August.
The band has three sections - Junior, Intermediate and
the Senior band.
There are about ten members in the Junior Band - they've
all just started to play an instrument for the first
time, they meet on Tuesday evenings between 7pm and 8pm
to play as a group.
The Intermediate band meet between 8pm and 9pm on Tuesday
evenings. This band was formed in 2003 for more advanced
members of the Junior group and the younger members of
the Senior band. Sue conducts both bands.
Sue also conducts the Senior Band together with Gareth
Williams; they meet on Wednesday and Friday evenings
between 7pm and 9pm.
The Band is constantly looking for new members. Any
age and talent is welcomed, with excellent training provided
by Sue. The Band would like to thank Sue for her dedication
and commitment.
The Bandroom
The Nantlle Vale Band was one of the first brass bands
to have it's own purpose built band room. The band room
is in Talysarn and the band sill rehearses in it today.
There are plans to develop and renovate the band room
in the near future - they hope to get disabled access,
a level floor and central heating.
Competitions & Performances
Over the years the Band's committee has been working
very hard to keep the tradition going. They play a vital
role in the development of our community with many groups,
chapels, churches, schools and retirement homes making
the most of their support to raise money.
They have performed in Porthmadog, playing Christmas
carols when the lights were switched on; a concert in
Criccieth in May and arranged a Musical Evening in the
Rotary Club Porthmadog in aid of Hope
House Wales .
They have competed in many Class Four competitions:
Rhyl Festival of Bands June 2004 3rd
North Wales Silver Band Championship November 2004
The Welsh Regional Championship March 2005
National Eisteddfod July 2005 2nd
Funding
The Band went to Swansea in March 2005 to compete in
a National Silver Band Competition, with the Talysarn
and Nantlle Partnership funding the outing. It was a
great experience that allowed the members to develop
skills through competing against the best bands in Wales.
The Talysarn and Nantlle Partnership was set up to improve
the society, environment and economy of Talysarn and
Nantlle, and operates the Communities
First programme in the area.
They have also received grants from the Communities
First Trust Fund through the Assembly Government. In
2003 it allowed them to pay architects fees, trainer
fees and to buy new music stands. In 2004 they received
a grant, which allowed them to buy specialist music software,
a digital copier and new chairs for the band.
They also received a grant from Mantell
Gwynedd to
allow the band to hold a master class on the 20th of
February with Gavin Saynor - a European
Champion, and band members from the famous YSB
Band , Dewi Griffith and Shauna White.
The band recently received a National Lottery grant
to buy new instruments which is believed to be the third
set since the band was formed in 1865. The number of
members has doubled since, mainly through the young people
who have joined. They now have a wide variation of instruments
(wind, percussion and drums) that provide fair opportunities
to everyone including the disabled. |
