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Mortimer Medal 2005 |
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Endowed at the instigation of Mrs Margaret Mortimer, in memory of her late husband, a Liveryman, from his Memorial Fund. The Mortimer Medal is awarded annually in recognition of services for the teaching of young people in the brass band movement.
Alun F Williams was born in Pontypool, South Wales and started playing the cornet with his local band, Cwm Town Silver Band. He was invited into the County Band at the age of thirteen, and has been actively involved with the County Band as a player, tutor, conductor and Director for over 35 years. Since moving to Abergavenny three years ago, Alun now conducts the Abergavenny Borough Band in the Championship section.
Alun was appointed as a brass teacher in the Gwent Music Support Service in 1978, was appointed Head of Brass in 1990, and is now the Deputy Head of the Music Service. During this time, one of his main interests has always been the teaching and encouragement of young players, and with an excellent team, to continue developing the very strong youth brass band structure in Gwent. Many players performing today have progressed through the Gwent youth band structure.
Since 1990, the Greater Gwent Youth Brass Band has won the National Youth Band title on two occasions and were the European Youth Band Champions in 1998. The Band continues to be very successful at the National Festival of Music for Youth. They have gained the Outstanding Performance Award on many occasions and have performed three times at the Schools Prom at the Royal Albert Hall. The Band recently won the inaugural Pontin’s British Open Youth Brass Band Championships held in Prestatyn. Some of the recent tours that Alun has organised for the Youth Band have been the tour to America in 2001 and the fantastic tour to New Zealand and Australia in 2004. Over the years, some of the top brass band conductors and soloists have all worked this youth band.
Alun is also a member of the Advisory Panel of the National Youth Brass Band of Wales and the National Youth Arts Wales Steering Group. |