Castell Beaumaris is a march which was composed for, and was the winning entry of, the Anglesey Eisteddfod (Eisteddfod Môn) march composition competition, sponsored by Seindorf Beaumaris Band.

The music is written in the style of Thomas James "T.J." Powell, the pre-eminent march

composer within Welsh community music and famed throughout the wider brass band

movement. The music takes inspiration from his series of "Castell" marches each inspired by Welsh Castles ("Castell Caerfilli", "Castell Coch", "Castell Caerdydd" and "Caernarfon Castle") which have become a staple of brass band repertoire internationally.

Born in Tredegar in October 1897, Powell joined the local Salvation Army corps on drums at the age of seven. He later learned and played the cornet with Tredegar Town Band. He started a career in the Royal Marines Band Portsmouth, rising to become Bandmaster at HMS Nelson. Upon his return to Wales, he began a long association with the Melingriffith Volunteer and Cadet Corps Band in Whitchurch, Cardiff. Powell transformed the band from a small, struggling ensemble to a fully fledged championship brass band within just a decade.

“T.J.”, as he was fondly known, was a prolific composer and arranger as well as being in great demand as a contest adjudicator. He wrote many small-scale works: waltzes, instrumental solos, quartets, etc, but Powell’s more substantial works included Snowdon Fantasy, published in 1956 and frequently used as a test piece in competitions at home and abroad.

Sadly, Powell passed away in circumstances now mythical within in brass band folklore. Whilst guest conducting Cory Workmens’ Band during BBC Home Service Challenging Brass Compeition, Powell collapsed in the BBC studio on Charles Street, Cardiff prior to stepping up to conduct the band through the march “Harlequin”. As Powell was carried out of the studio to hospital, the then principal cornet of the band, Stanley Williams, conducted the band in his stead.

Much like marches, Beaumaris castle itself is neither a Welsh nor an English name but is a French name given to the town by the Normans whilst the castle was under construction. The literal translation of Beaumaris is ‘beautiful marsh’, owing to the land in which the castell is built and it’s picturesque surroundings.

I hope this work will form a fitting tribute to both the Seindorf Beaumaris Band and T. J. Powell.

March cards available on request - please get in touch via the contact page!