USK Brass Band won the Fourth Section of the National Brass Band Championship of Great Britain on Saturday 19th September in Cheltenham. Usk Band had become the Welsh Champions earlier this year in March, and alongside runners-up Abertillery Band, represented Wales in the National Championships.

The band beat 19 bands from regions all over Great Britain, and all performed the test piece entitled ‘Visions’ by composer Dan Price. Usk has only reached the National Championships once before in 1982, and only began contesting again as a registered band in 2013 after a break of over 25 years. The conductor, Mr Jeff Jones, said:

“It’s a massive achievement, as we’ve only been involved in competition since 2013. Last year it was a dream come true to win the Welsh Regional Championship, and so it is massive to have won in the National Finals for Section 4.

“We’ve grown a lot since I took over in 2003, and I’ve seen the band become young adults. It’s a bit of mixed emotion, as this was the last competition for 6 of the young players, who are off to University.

“Winning this means we are promoted from the 4th Section to the 3rd Section, and so the process starts again next March for the 3rd Section Regional Welsh Championship in Swansea, but with the competition turned up a notch!”

Usk Brass Band will now be working on their programme for their popular Christmas Concert, and preparing for a local competition in Merthyr Tydfil in November. More details can be found on www.uskbrassband.com