Band trio play their way to glory in music festival

* From left: Elizabeth Mwale, Gabriel Tranmer and Taya Castley relax in

Llangollen Silver Band’s  newly refurbished annex during a break in Monday night’s  band practice.

Three talented young members of Llangollen Silver Band played their way to glory in last weekend’s  Oswestry  Music  Festival. 

Gabriel Tranmer, 14, a pupil of St Brigit’s School in Denbigh who plays tuba with Llangollen Youth and Senior bands, entered the competition in four youth categories and took first place in brass solo (under 16) playing the highly challenging and technically difficult The Trouble with the Tuba is …..

He also took first place in drum kit solo, first place in vocal solo (musical theatre) and third place in vocal solo (own choice).

Gabriel then went on to take part in the winner’s concert held at Christchurch Oswestry and had to  stand for adjudication against himself as winner of both the brass section and the drum kit solo.

He became overall junior winner of the festival for his tuba playing, earning himself a £100 bursary.

Elizabeth Mwale, 12, came second to Gabriel  in the under 16 brass solo section with a fine performance of the beautiful Baritone Aria by Rodney Newton. 

Punching well above her weight by entering this higher age group, Elizabeth demonstrated her fast developing musical ability and her achievement of gaining that second place and a highly commended award was a just reward.

Taya Castley, who has been playing cornet for just over 18 months,  took first place in the 12 years and under category for brass.

Playing the cornet solo Demelza by Hugh Nash, she gained some complimentary remarks from the adjudicator for her presentation.

All three players were accompanied on piano by Eirwen Jones of Llangollen, who is Gabriel Tranmer’s grandmother.