Josh, one of our trumpet players, spills the beans on our October 2026 tour to Cardiff…
3 days, 2 concerts and 1 very musical weekend
There’s something special about taking the Bournemouth and District Concert Band on tour. It’s a chance to share our music with new audiences, explore somewhere new and, of course, make a few memories along the way. Our recent trip to Cardiff certainly delivered on all three!
Day 1: The adventure begins
The journey to Cardiff got off to a lively start, with plenty of conversation on the coach and excitement building for the weekend ahead. Things were going smoothly until the dreaded coach step, positioned inconveniently in the middle of the aisle, nearly caught a few of the “cool kids” at the back off guard. Thankfully, everyone made it through unscathed, and dignity was only mildly dented!
After arriving in Cardiff, we checked into the hotel, where some discovered the rather unusual experience of a vibrating pillow. With everyone settled in, BDCB Bingo got underway, revealing some surprising hidden talents, previous TV appearances and even a few performers who have graced the Royal Albert Hall stage! Just when we thought we were getting to know our fellow band members a little better, rumours began to circulate about a certain magician among us. Whether there’s any truth to the story remains to be seen…
Day 2: High notes and dizzying heights
Saturday morning offered something for everyone. The early risers headed out for a run or a swim, while others took a more relaxed approach to the start of the day. A special mention goes to Steve, who appeared to be taking the concept of a leisurely morning particularly seriously!
The day brought plenty of opportunities to explore Cardiff, including a zip line over the Principality Stadium and a slightly chilly boat trip, before we headed down to The Dock for lunch. But the main event was still to come.
We made our way to Bedwas Workmen’s Hall & Institute, an impressive building with stunning murals honouring the area’s coal-mining heritage. It was a fitting setting for a day of music, and we were delighted to perform alongside the incredible Aber Valley Male Voice Choir. Their warm hospitality extended beyond the stage, too, with their wonderful supporters kindly providing food for the visiting band, a very welcome treat before the concert!
The main event: music in the valleys
After rehearsal, a well-earned food platter and an excellent cup of tea, it was time to take to the stage. The concert was a real highlight of the weekend, with fantastic performances from BDCB and our fellow performers. The choir’s rendition of Coldplay’s ‘Fix You’ was particularly moving, bringing some audience and band members to tears. It was a beautiful reminder of the power of music to bring people together, and a privilege to share the stage with such a talented choir.
A special mention must also go to Adam, one of our own band members, who composed ‘A Welsh Medley’ especially for the occasion. It made for a fitting finale to the evening and was a wonderful way to celebrate our time in Wales.
A sing-off for the ages
Naturally, the entertainment didn’t end when the final notes faded. Once the concert was over and everything had been packed away, we joined the choir and their supporters for the traditional afterglow, an opportunity to relax, socialise and, inevitably, make a little more music. An impromptu sing-off soon followed, with BDCB putting in a very respectable performance. We’re fairly confident we won, although further investigation may be required!
The journey back to the hotel continued the musical theme, with an enthusiastic karaoke session. The combination of school hymns and ‘The Killers’ was certainly an interesting musical arrangement… one that may not make it into our next concert programme!
The evening also saw the hotly anticipated BDCB Tour Awards, celebrating some of the weekend’s most memorable contributions. Categories included the award for “Best at Not Looking After Their Music” (congrats Rob!) and the prestigious award for “Total Liar”, which went to me, our not-so-magical magician. Of course, I must stress that I had absolutely nothing to do with starting that particular rumour!
There was plenty more laughter as the evening continued, although we quickly discovered that guessing your fellow band members’ ages is a surprisingly risky business. Rumour has it the after-party even extended into the early hours, with festivities continuing in one particularly lively hotel room. We can only hope the neighbouring rooms appreciated our musical talents as much as we did, although something tells us they may have had a rather different review of the evening!
Day 3: A castle, a concert and some unexpected sunshine
Sunday morning brought breakfast round two, although enthusiasm levels varied considerably following the previous day’s activities. We then headed to Cardiff Castle, laden with instruments, music stands and all the assorted kit that comes with taking a concert band on tour. It was quite a trek, so a huge thank you to the kind member of Cardiff Castle staff who came to our rescue with the golf cart. Not all heroes wear capes!
A royal setting for our grand finale
Our final performance was another thoroughly enjoyable occasion, bringing the musical side of the weekend to a fitting close. The weather was also remarkably kind to us. In fact, I’m still trying to work out how I managed to get sunburnt in Wales in October!
After packing everything away, there was time for one last chance to explore Cardiff before we began the journey home. The coach was noticeably quieter this time, with considerably less karaoke. Whether this was due to tiredness, lost voices or simply having given it everything over the weekend, we may never know.
From Welsh sunshine to Dorset drizzle
And, in a perfectly timed final twist, the rain started just as we arrived back in Bournemouth. Who would have thought we’d manage a whole weekend in Wales without a drop of rain, only to return home to more than a little Dorset drizzle?
All in all, it was a fantastic weekend of music, friendship and laughter. A huge thank you to everyone who helped organise the trip, supported our performances and made it such a success.
We returned home with wonderful memories, a few new in-jokes and, hopefully, some very happy audiences. Until next time, Cardiff! Thanks for helping us strike the right chord!
By Josh on trumpet