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Tongwynlais Temperance Band is pleased to
announce the appointment of Gavin Pritchard as Principal Percussionist.
Gavin comes to the Band after a very successful past 9 years as
Principal Percussionist of Yorkshire Building Society and more recently
Grimethorpe Colliery (UK) Coal Bands, winning every major contest in the
Brass Band Calendar. Gavin brings with him a wealth of experience from
these bands and even from before this, during his time in Norway.
Speaking on behalf of the Band, Nick Wills said: “The Band is delighted
to welcome Gavin at what looks like being a very exciting time for the
Band with some major concerts already in the calendar as well as a CD
recording or two. Also, after our early contest successes this year, the
Band is also looking forward to competing at Pontins in November and
Butlins in January 2008. It’s been 1 year now since the Band appointed
Gareth Pritchard as ‘full-time’ Musical Director and it starting to feel
like it’s all really beginning to gel now.”
This is a tremendous coupe for the Band and Musical Director, Gareth
Pritchard says, “Having people in the Band with the experience and
expertise of Gavin can only enhance the Band’s overall performance. He
also brings with him top class attitude and application, which will for
sure ‘rub-off’ onto everyone else. I’m really excited about this
appointment and everything else that’s happening with the Band at the
moment.”
Joining Tongwynlais after playing for YBS & Grimethorpe? Gavin replies
with, “I see this as a new and exciting challenge in my musical life.
The Band would seem to have a very bright future and I’m looking forward
to being an integral part of that journey. There are some extremely good
players in the Band and at my first contest with them at The Grand
Shield, they played brilliantly and came away with a well deserved 4th
Prize. It also gives me the opportunity to work with my Dad again. Apart
from when he Guest Conducted both YBS and Grimethorpe, we have not
worked together since winning the Norwegian Championships with
Sandefjord Brass Symposium in 1998. In fact, Tongwynlais reminds me a
lot of how Sandefjord was when we went there first.”
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