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Wedding Bells in the air
Congratulations go to the Band's second cornet player, Carly Griffiths, on her engagement to Kevin Shanklin. Kevin was until recently a member of the Band until moving to Berkshire to take up a teaching position there. Our congratulations go to both of them with our best wishes for a long a happy future together.
Christmas Cheer
Following the end of the contesting year the band are undertaking a number of engagements around Cardiff, the Vale and Bridgend to help celebrate the Christmas period. This is one of the busiest times of the year for the band and a full list of the places the band can be seen throughout Christams is on the Events page. In addition to the senior band, the Youth band will also be working hard and their engagements are also listed.
Final Contest of the Year
The band attended the final contest of the year in Blaenavon. Despite having a smaller band on stage than usual, the band were able to secure a 3rd place on the day which meant that the 1st Section Runners Up cup returned to the bandroom for the second consecutive year. Congratulations to Rogerstone who won on the day and were champion band for the year and Blaenavon band who came 2nd after returning to contesting after a brief break.
Following this contest, the band has been promoted to the local Championship Section, the highest tier of competition, for the first time in its history. This will be the first time any band from the Vale of Glamorgan has competed at this level and also the first military band to acheive this status.
We Will Remember Them
Like many other bands accross the country St. Athan have taken part in the commemorations for Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day. On the 31st October the band attended the service for the Royal British Legion held in St John's Church in Cardiff city centre. Claire Bourne providing the Last Post before the band was joined by the pipes and drawing a crowd from the passing shoppers who stopped to join the two minutes silence. Claire was also called upon to play the Last Post as part of the Llantwit Major parade on Remembrance Sunday itself. The band marched through the town and provided the music as the cenotaph. Other members of the band were spread around the Vale to provide the Last Post at various services held to remember the fallen. Andy Parkes attended St.Athan, despite having badly damaged his fingers earlier in the week. Laura Hindley attended Llancarfan and John Foley came out of retirement to play in Rhoose. Members of the Drum Corp also attended Cowbridge. Alan Bourne attended Wick School on the Monday and members of the band provided the music for a service in Rookwood on the 11th itself.
The band are proud to be able to provide this service at this time of the year, particularly given our connection to the RAF and the MOD.
Wedding Celebrations
 The band were delighted to be able to help with the wedding celebrations of an ex-member of the band. Alexa got married to Tim on 22nd August in Penllyne and members of the band provided the music for the ceremony as well as entertaining the guests prior to the meal. Alexa used to play cornet in the band before leaving for university, her sister Michaela also played cornet with the band. Both declined the chance to join in with a couple of pieces - apparently they haven't played in a while!
The band would like to wish the happy couple all the best for the future. Congratulations!
3rd in the Eisteddfod 2009
 The band has just returned from another great weekend at the Eisteddfod, this time held in Bala. Not only did everyone have a very enjoyable weekend but the band secured 3rd place in a very competitive Championship Section competition. This was a fantasic result for the band and refelected the hard work in preparation for the contest. Special congratulations need to go to Alice Jones who showed that the Baritone is an instrument to be underestimated at your peril by giving a very good rendition of Scherzo for Baritone. Only after the contest did she admit that it was the first time she had ever performed a solo with brass band - what a debut!
We would also like to thank Porthywaen Silver Band who gave up their bandroom for our rehearsals and kept us well supplied with tea and toast!
With Alan celebrating his birthday on the Saturday, all in all it was a very successful weekend. Congratulations go to Beaumaris who won the contest from Tredegar Town Band in second.
To listen to part of the performance click here
To read the adjudicator's comments click here
Congratulations!
The Band are very happy to pass on their heartfelt congratulations to three of their student members who have graduated this summer from Cardiff University.
Chris Halliday, Alice Jones and Kevin Shanklin all balanced the demands on their time between their studies and band. As a result they were all successful in obtaining 1 joint honours (music & Physics) and two music degrees respectively.
Whilst it is with much sadness that the band says goodbye to Kevin Shanklin who will be taking up a teaching position in Berkshire in September. We are very happy to be able to retain the services of Chris and Alice as they have both decided to stay in the area post university.
The Big Move Update
Thursday 18th June's rehearsal will be held in the new bandroom, the last piece has been played in the old one!
The Big Move!
In order to make way for the start of the redevelopment of East Camp into the Defence Academy, the band has had to move out of our bandroom. Not to worry though, 'new' facilities have been made available on the other side of camp.
After some repainting and the quick move of the carpet from the old bandroom to the new, all was set for the move.
I guess it is only when you pack up that you realise just how much stuff has been collected over the years. With the main band, youth band, drum corps, flute groups, jazz group and the office equipment all needing to be removed you can understand the extent of the operation.
Fortunately, some of the members of the band were able to help prior to the weekend and put in a fantastic effort to ensure that the massive job of moving the library was completed and all the instruments had already been located in the very secure room in the new bandroom.
On Saturday, the rest of the troops arrived to pack up all the remaining bits and pieces. Quite often it could be heard 'do we really need to keep this?' only for the bandmaster to say 'well, just keep hold of it you never know when we'll need it!' As a result there were one or two more van trips before everything had gone.
Over to the new bandroom and it was time to make it look like our home. Pictures and prize certificates were hung, the players lounge had the TV tuned in and the expertise of our euph player was put to good use in putting up a work surface in the kitchen area (with superb hoovering skills from a Bass player!!).
As you can guess, our new facilities are pretty awesome really. We have plenty of room to practice and relax as well as a function room in the connected and absolutely HUGE port-a-cabin next door!
Everyone worked incredibly hard from players, friends of the band and family and were all sustained by ham and chips "on the band" for lunch.
The place is getting there but still needs a few more finishing touches such as a fire safety certificate! So practice is still in the old bandroom for the time being. But we can't wait to get going in our new home!
Tour to Scotland
This Easter members of the band undertook the daunting prospect of a 10 hour coach journey to Ayr for a long weekend of playing and enjoying the local hospitality!
Despite the long journey, the ban d we in good spirits on arrival at the hotel and were looking forward to starting the tour in earnest the following day.
First up was an open air concert in the Burns Centre. This is a heritage centre in the birth place of Robert Burns. In a break from the usual Scotish weather, we were greated with glorious sunshine - which continued for the whole weekend!
Later that day we joined Dalmellington Band, our hosts, for a quick rehearsal before the joint concert that evening. See article below.
Bleary eyed on Sunday morning, we went to the local church and played for the Easter Sunday service. This was a highly enjoyable experience and we were provided with a fantasic lunch from the ladies of the church.
Straight from the church we went to the Ayr and Prestwick RAFA club. This saw our final concert of the weekend and again we were shown fantasic hospitality by our hosts.
Just time to have a brief lie down at the hotel before again joining up with some of the members of the Dalmellington Band for an all-you-can eat chinese back in Ayr.
Next morning it was back on the coach for the trip home. All in all, I think everyone had a fantastic time and the band would like to thank all involved in making it happen. We would also like to thank everyone for the fantasic reception we received wherever we played as well as the hospitality. In particular we would like to thank the members of the Dalmellington Band - our hosts for the weekend.
We would also like to thank our guest players who joined us for the weekend and helped to make the tour as sucessful as it was. A special thanks also needs to be said to our non-playing members who ensured that the CDs were available at all the concerts, baby sat and of course the coach drivers who really joined in the spirit of the occasion.
Concert  with Dalmellington Band
As part of the bands tour to Scotland, we joined the Dalmellington Band in a joint concert.
Dalmellington Band is based in the small village of Dalmellington in the South West of Scotland, 60 miles south of Glasgow. It is one of Scotland’s oldest Brass Bands and has been in the forefront of the movement since its formation in 1864. The band have had notable success in contests and have their name inscribed on every major competition trophy in Scotland, including 3 Scottish Championship wins.
In what was a concert of high quality, the bands each performed separately and then came together for the second half.
All the members of the band thoroughly enjoyed the experience and it was an awesome sight and sound when the two bands came together to produce such a powerful performance of all the joint items.
And after all the hard work, the band were provided with excellent hospitality from the Dalmellington Band before staggering back to the hotel.
Against All Odds
After a frought run u p to this year's area contest held on 14th March 2009, the band put in a brave performance at the Brangwyn Hall in Swansea.
Despite the effects of the sickness bug that hit the band on the day of the contest and the need to shuffle around a few players, the band got through Pentacle without any major disasters.
Special awards for dedication in the face of sickness go to Katy Thomas, Jayne Smith, Claire Bourne and our conductor Alan Bourne. Not to say that Alan was unwell, but he was seen to refuse beer in front of witnesses!!
Well done everyone on a sterling effort - now something to really look forward to with preparations for the Band's tour to Ayr at Easter and the chance to play some tunes again!!
Our congratulations go out to Point of Ayr and Tongwnlias band who will be representing the principality up Harrogate way in September
Gala Launch for new CD
After an intensive weekend of recording earlier this year, the band's new CD "R.A.F. St Athan Voluntary Band - At The Movies" is ready for its launch.
As the title suggests, the programme consists entirely of old and new favourite movie themes including The Dambusters, The Great Escape, Apollo 13, Shrek and Braveheart.
The gala launch will take place on Saturday 4th April 2009 at the band's Spring Concert at Llantwit Major School.
Pre order your CDs by e mailing us at
mail@rafstathanvoluntaryband.co.uk
Band Dinner
The end of February saw the band hold its Annual Dinner. This year was a more informal occaission and was well attended by the band and their guests.
As well as an occassion to get together and enjoy each others company away from the pressures of playing. It was also a time from the playing members of the band to vote on the awards.
These were presented by Alan Bourne, the bands Director of Music.
Double Award
The award for the Mo st Promising Player Under 18 was hottly contended with the band having a number of talented young players. However, it was the bands young tennor horn player, Camaron, who won on the day.
Before Cam had a chance to sit down, he was also awarded with the Most Improved Player award and it was fully justified for the hard work he has put in over the year.
Player of the Year
Claire Bourne, the bands principal cornet, won the Player of the Year. Claire has performed at the highest standard all year and rarely missed a rehearsal or engagement.
Personality
Kevin Shanklin was awarded with the Band Personality Award for keeping us all entertained all year.
The final award was the 'Band Bucket' for the outstanding contribution to redecoraing a toilet somewhere in conection to a band event. There were two candidates this year, but Harriot just piped Chris to the award much to his relief!
Goodbye
Finally, it was time to say sad farewell  from us all to John Foley who retired from the band at the begining of the year. Alan presented John with an award to say 'thank you' for the time he has given to the band.
It was just left for the party to continue until time was called and we were all sent home!
CD Recording
This January the band decided to record a new CD. The theme for the CD was film music and Alan and the band spent some time deciding which pieces of this vast genre would be included.
With the support of the recording engineers and Tom Davoren, expanding on his many talents as conductor and composor, to help out as the producer for the weekend, the recording commenced.
Tom would sson be know as the man the band loved to hate, as his determination to get the best possible recording meant the call for 'just one more take' was often heard!
After a successful Saturday the band were ready for a well earned rest with the knowlegde that half the list of pieces were recorded.
Back for More
The band returned on the Sunday for another long day of hard work. After getting a few bruised lips back working, the recording was back in full flow.
Despite the best efforts of the aircraft taking off on the newly reopened runway just outside, we managed to make headway through the various pieces still to record.
Just One Last Take!
The man the band loved to hate - Tom - asked for just one more take and, with very tired lips, we obliged.
With the CD due for launch at the Spring Concert, we left in the knowledge that that last take would be worth it to produce a very good CD and all the hard work would be worth while.
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