Until last weekend David had only ever conducted a band at one competition. In 2002, off a number one draw he directed the Abergavenny Borough Band to glory on George Lloyd's superb Royal Parks at the Welsh Regional First Section Championships. 

Twelve years have passed since then, and although David has continued to develop his skills as a teacher and conductor, he has done so outside the contest arena retaining his reputation within the brass band movement as a leading euphonium player and soloist.

However, last week David's long time friend and colleague Christopher Turner asked if he would help him out of a tricky situation! David explained, "Chris conducts the Llwydcoed Band and does a great job. However, with one week to go before their appearance at the Welsh Regional Championship the band's star principal cornet player became unavailable leaving Chris and the band without a leader. Due to brass band registration deadline rules a replacement had to be found within hours in order for the band to compete. Eventually the only option left open to Chris was to register himself to play principal cornet, and find someone else to conduct the band!"

David & Chris were 'Best Man' at each others weddings; played in the National Youth Brass Band of Wales, Brighouse & Rastrick and Cory Bands together, and both teach at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama. David continued, "When Chris asked me if I'd conduct his band for him I had no hesitation. He's a great friend and superb teacher. I knew he'd have his band well prepared, and with Chris signing for them I also knew they'd have the best principal cornet at the contest!" 

David trained the band for three rehearsals, then directed their performance at Llandudno's Venue Cymru last Sunday. David Read MBE was adjudicating the competition and awarded their performance 1st prize crowning Llywdcoed Band Welsh Regional First Section Champions - the same title David led Abergavenny Borough Band to twelve years earlier!

David Read's adjudication included, "Excellent start. All parts are fitting the musical picture. The music has ‘life’. Neat and well organised – all detail clear. The music flows. Detail jumps out of the score – Well done. Shaped well here. This is so well directed – Excellent close. The reading is how I imagined the work – very musical and always alive – superbly directed!"

Following the contest, Llywdcoed Musical Director Christopher Turner paid tribute to his his friend, "Words can't describe how thankful I am. There is no way this would have happened without Dave Childs." 


Guest Conductor & Musical Director celebrate a good day at the office!