Gavin began playing percussion at the age of 11 whilst living in Norway. He was born in the UK but moved to Scandinavia as his father was offered work as Conductor with several ensembles in the west of Norway. He established himself quickly as a player with potential, with the newspapers describing him as “A young man who threw himself about such great enthusiasm he resembled a ball of elastic bands!”. Gavin is the youngest ever player to play with the Molde Symphony Orchestra, and by the time he was 16 he had claimed his place as Principal Percussionist of the Vestfold Symphony Orchestra. With the latter Gavin worked with famous conductors including Dag Nilssen (Oslo Symphony Orchestra) and with famous soloists including Arve Telefsen (Violin). Aged 17, he was invited to ‘join’ the Royal Norwegian Navy Band for 3 weeks as a fully employed percussionist.

Gavin studied at the Royal Northern College of Music with Ian Wright, Graham Johns, Paul Patrick, Dave Hassell and Liz Gilliver, and at Salford University with Stephen Whibley. Whilst at the Royal Northern, he won the Lady Groves Award, and during his time at Salford University he won the Mortimer Performance Award for his final recital that was described as “Breathtaking” by the visiting examiner. In 2001 Gavin took part in the International Timpani Competition held in Paris and got to the semi-final stage.

He graduated in 2003 obtaining a First Class Honours Degree with a Distinction in Performance, and has since worked as a freelance Percussionist/Soloist. Gavin has held the position of Principal Percussionist with 2 of the world’s elite Brass Bands. Firstly the YBS Band, and then Grimethorpe Colliery Band, where he was featured as a soloist at all of their concerts. He has given master classes and recitals throughout the UK, and has performed with ensembles and as a soloist throughout the world in such prestigious halls as the Grieg Hall - Bergen, Stravinsky Hall - Montreux, Gasteig Hall - Munich, Palais des Beaux-Arts - Brussels, Symphony Hall - Birmingham and the Royal Albert Hall - London.

From 2003 until 2006 when he moved to South Wales, Gavin was the Head Percussion Tutor at the University of Salford. In 2004 he was interviewed and featured in the International Percussion Magazine ‘Rhythm Magazine’, and in 2005 ADAMS musical instruments decided to invite him to become an ADAMS endorsee. He is in regular demand as a clinician and soloist, and in 2008 Gavin accepted an invitation from Bob Childs to join the Cory band

Alun has been playing percussion since he was 9 years old.  He was encouraged to join Treherbert Silver Band and enjoyed much success with the band as they progressed through the sections.  He was also a member of Treorchy Comprehensive School Band under the direction of Mr Ieuan Morgan MBE. Alun attended all of the orchestral courses at Ogmore with the Four Counties Youth Orchestra and now occasionally returns to Ogmore as a member of staff.

In 2002 Alun graduated from the Royal Welsh College of Music with a B.Mus. (hons) degree and then studied Performance for a year with Chris Stock, percussion Tutor at the College.  During this time Alun also took up peripatetic work in Comprehensive Schools in the Rhondda and Merthyr area and in September 2003 attended UWIC to study for a Post Graduate Certificate in Secondary Education. A month before starting this course he was contacted by Dr. Robert Childs offering him the post of Principal Percussionist with the Buy as you View Band.

In September 2004 Alun took up the post of music teacher at Tonypandy Community College.  His parents are very pleased as their bank account has gone from the red to a light pink. 

Alun was appointed Percussion Tutor to the International Brass Band Summer School in 2007.

Dave started playing Piano at the age of 6, after being discovered mimicking his older sister after her Piano lessons it was decided he should probably begin lessons before too many bad habits kicked in

During Dave’s school life he was fortunate to be involved in several music groups such as the National Youth Brass Band and Orchestra of Wales, The Greater Gwent ensembles and also Caerleon Comprehensive School Orchestra and Big Band.

Dave not only developed a passion for Percussion during this time, he also discovered he had a singing ability. This didn’t really come into play till Dave’s time at Music College.

Initially after leaving school Dave followed his love of Brass Bands to Yorkshire. A decision to study at Huddersfield University was predominantly based on an offer to play with the prestigious Black Dyke Band, a goal David had set himself since working with the likes of Bob Childs and Jim Watson through the National Youth Brass Band of Wales. To Dave’s surprise an offer to join the band quickly evolved in an offer to lead the Percussion section as Principal Percussionist, at 18 this was a huge honour and great experience for him. However, the course at Huddersfield proved not to be the right one for Dave who was looking for an opportunity to study in a more musical environment.

Dave made the difficult decision to leave Yorkshire and Black dyke to return to Wales to take up a scholarship as the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. A few months after this Dr Robert Childs took over the reigns at the then Buy as you view Cory Band and invited Dave to take the position of Principal Percussionist with the band. This all took place in 2000, the year that Cory won the double, what a great first year in the band! Dave remained as principal till 2005 when work commitments meant he had to take a back seat allowing Alun Horgan to come forward and take over the hot seat! And what a fine job he has done ever since!

Dave now plays with the Band for major competitions and concerts. He is also heavily involved with two other musical groups, the first ‘The Cardiff Soul Band” of which Dave is the lead singer, check out www.cardiffsoulband.com  and “Synergy”,  a 4 part harmony male chorus in which Dave performs and directs. Along with a passion for acting and a career as a recruitment consultant, and a new house with his girlfriend Rhea it’s a busy but happy time for Dave.

Dave was born in Swansea, South Wales in 1984 and gained his first performing experience with the various ensembles run by West Glamorgan Music Service before progressing to lead the percussion sections of some of the UK’s finest youth ensembles including the National Youth Brass Band of Wales and the National Youth Wind Orchestra of Great Britain. Following a few years under the guidance of successful freelance percussionist Graham Bradley, Dave chose to study with Chris Stock (principal percussionist - BBC NOW) at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama where he became the first and only percussionist to win the college’s annual concerto competition.

 

Since graduating Dave's varied musical endeavours have included concerto performances, solo recitals, studio recordings and master-classes. He has performed as a soloist in many of the UK’s finest concert halls including Symphony Hall, Birmingham, The Sage Gateshead and St. David’s Hall, Cardiff. His dedication to building a unique accessible solo repertoire has resulted in regular new commissions including works from Derek Bourgeois, Rodney Newton and Gareth Wood, and in 2007 he released his debut solo album, Rhythmic Renaissance.

 

Outside of the classical music scene Dave has also had success in the recording studio with a duo of top dance music exponents. He has recorded tracks with international dance producer Darren Tate and is a regular collaborator with BBC Radio 1 DJ Judge Jules.

 

Dave was invited to join the Cory Band shortly before the 2004 European Brass Band Championships and his proudest moment with the band was winning that same contest in 2008.

 

Dave is signed as an official artist for Adams Musical Instruments, Mike Balter mallets and SABIAN cymbals.

 

CLICK HERE to visit Dave’s website

 

Si hails from Stafford and is the most recent addition to the BAYV percussion team. Currently a student at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, Si also performs as a member of percussion quartet 'Strike 4' (with fellow BAYV percussionist Dave Danford).

Si made his BAYV contest debut at the Welsh Regional Championships in March.

Hopefully, Si's profile will grow over time, as he has new adventures and stuff; not unlike 'Kane' off of 'Kung Fu'.

Adam Davies is a fully qualified drummer and percussionist with a wealth of playing experience ranging from orchestral to heavy-rock.
Working as a specialist instrumental tutor for Gwent Music Support Service and regularly freelancing in and around South Wales, his professional experiences are many and varied including: extensive work as a ‘pit’ musician for operas (including ‘Paradise Moscow’ – Shostakovich and the world premier of ‘Rochester’s Second Bottle’ – Hans Cox), musicals (including ‘Oklahoma’, ‘Fame’, ‘Hello Dolly’, ‘Guys and Dolls’, ‘Les Miserable’, ‘The Secret Garden’ – Welsh premier), and live/studio recording sessions for S4C, BBC Radio and numerous bands, most recently ‘The Fallen’, an Irish based rock band currently touring the U.K.
Former mentors include Dave Powell (Percussion Co-ordinator, Gwent Music Support Service), Chris Stock (principal percussionist BBC National Orchestra of Wales), Steve Barnard (principal timpanist BBC National Orchestra of Wales) and Phil Girling (Welsh National Opera). Adam is a graduate (BMus Hons.) of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, where he studied orchestral percussion and drum kit for four years.
A former member of the National Youth Brass Band and Wind Orchestra of Wales, in 2005, Adam was invited to perform at the official opening ceremony of the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff, with the National Youth Symphonic Brass of Wales; a select group consisting of some of the finest past members of all Welsh national ensembles. He has performed at many internationally renowned concert venues including: St. David’s Hall, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff International Arena, Symphony Hall, Royal Albert and The Grieg Hall.
Adam has recently become the newest member of Cardiff based rock band ‘The Olympic’ (www.theolympicband.com or www.myspace.com/theolympic) who are releasing their debut album ‘Again, Again, Again’ in the Autumn of 2006 and are currently in negotiations regarding a UK tour.