Welsh Conductor of the Year 2023

The Eric James Memorial Trophy for Welsh Conductor of 2023 has been awarded to Gareth Ritter, conductor of Ebbw Valley Brass. Alyn James explained the origins of the coveted award, “The idea for the award came from a group of my father’s friends following his death in 1990. My father had expressed the view that, all too often, the hard work of ‘grass roots’ conductors can go largely unrecognised and that an award of some kind might go some way to remedy this. During November each year our group meets to discuss the achievements of Welsh conductors throughout all the sections and choose a recipient for the award.

“We are delighted to award the trophy to Gareth Ritter once again this year. His sensational achievement in bringing the 1st Section National Trophy home to Wales with Ebbw Valley meant that our deliberations were straight forward: the man’s a phenomenon! Our group would like to thank the South East Wales Association for allowing us to make this award at its final contest every year.”

List of Recipients:

1992: E.J. CLARK - British Steel (Port Talbot)

1993: HAYDN EVANS - Pontardulais Town

1994: BERNARD WILLIAMS - Cwmaman Institute / Blaina

1995: GERALD ROBERTS - Ammanford Town

1996: MICHAEL THORNE - Burry Port

1997: GRAHAM SHEPPARD - Treherbert

1998: C. BRIAN BUCKLEY - Pontardulais Town

1999: BRYN DAVIES - Blaenavon Town

2000: ALAN PHILLIPS - Aberystwyth Youth / Schools

2001: JIM DAVIES - Ammanford Town

2002: MIKE FARO - Briton Ferry Silver

2003: GRAHAM SHEPPARD - Treherbert

2004: CRAIG ROBERTS - Parc & Dare

2005: PAUL HOLLAND - Newbridge Celynen

2006: ALAN DAVIES - Llwydcoed

2007: PAUL HOLLAND - Newbridge Celynen

2008: GWYN EVANS - Beaumaris Band

2009: GARETH RITTER - City of Cardiff Band

2010: GARY DAVIES - Tylerstown Band

2011: DEWI GRIFFITHS - Melingriffith 2

2012: MATTHEW JENKINS - Goodwick Brass Band

2013: GARY DAVIES – Tylerstown Band

2014: GARETH RITTER – City of Cardiff Band

2015: MATTHEW JENKINS – Goodwick Brass

2016:LUKE JENKINS – Phoenix (Goodwick)

2017:CHRIS TURNER – Llwydcoed Band

2018:GARETH RITTER – Ebbw Valley / Taff Vale Brass

2019:ROBIN HACKETT – Newport Borough

2023: GARETH RITTER – Ebbw Valley Brass

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