Brass banding, much like life is a succession of journeys, and the latest journey undertaken by Seindorf Beaumaris saw the band travel to Cheltenham to represent Wales in the National Championships of Great Britain.
The last time the band had last played at the National Finals was in 2012, playing at the very highest level in the Championship Section finals in the Royal Albert Hall.
But following a six year hiatus, the band were now starting out on another journey with the first steps being taken back in the Fourth Section.
A second place at the Welsh Regional Contest in March had seen Beaumaris win the right to represent Wales at National Championships of Great Britain in Cheltenham.
The last time Beaumaris competed in the Fourth Section Finals was in 1991 when the Band were known as the Beaumaris & District Silver Band whilst the Beaumaris 'B' Band had competed in the Fourth Section Finals in 2000.
A sprinkling of the current Band members had experienced the previous journey from Fourth Section to Championship Section, however fourteen of those taking to the stage in Cheltenham weren't even born when the Beaumaris 'B' Band won the Fourth Section title 19 years ago!
Drawn to play 11th of the 19 Bands in the contest it was a nervous wait for those players experiencing the National Finals for the very first time, but once on stage the nerves were forgotten as the music took over.
Unfortunately, the band were unable to emulate the Championship winning exploits of 1991 and 2000 but a very creditable fourth place and promotion to the Third Section bodes well for Seindorf Beaumaris in 2020.
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