Cory lead bands to qualify for National Finals
ALL bands have to play the same test pieces in the various sections of the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain and this year’s selections are as follows:
Championship bands will play Variations on an Enigma by Philip Sparke. First Section bands will play High Peak by Eric Ball. Second Section bands will play Triptych by Philip Sparke. Third Section bands will play Corineus by Christopher Bond and Fourth Section bands will play Music for Jock Tamson by Alan Fernie.
The following bands have qualified for the 2024 National Brass Band Finals of Great Britain, which take place at The Centaur, Cheltenham Racecourse on September 14-15 for the Lower Section Bands and the Royal Albert Hall on October 5 for the Championship Section Bands.
These are five of the eight regions involved in the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain.
Abertillery Town Band with their new musical director Stephen Sykes made sure of their overwhelming success in the Second Section by having the Best Instrumentalist, Andrew Thomas on euphonium, the Best Percussion Section with David Llewellyn and Janine Brill and the Best Band!
It was great to see flugel player John Harris playing with Abertillery band at the area as he is just recovering from major surgery. I can see that he is looking very pleased with himself as he celebrates with conductor Stephen Sykes. The Best Instrumentalist in the Fourth Section was flugel horn player Molly Williams, of Severn Tunnel.
The Best Instrumentalist in the Third Section was cornet player Chris Smith, of Penclawdd. The Best Instrumentalist in the First Section was cornet player Steph Jonas, of Northop Silver
Cory band gave a free open rehearsal at St Germans Church, Cardiff, on Friday, March 15 just prior to the Welsh Regional Qualifying contest at Swansea’s Brangwyn Hall on March 16 and 17. There have been some recent additions to the Cory personnel, with Steve Sykes joining on solo trombone after the Welsh Area, Danny Jones on second euphonium, Jamie Jones on second baritone and Joel Collier on solo baritone.
Cory gained a clean sweep in the
Championship Section, regaining the title of Champion Band of Wales, having the Best Instrumentalist in principal euphonium Glyn Williams, while Best Cornet is principal cornet Tom Hutchinson, and have qualified to represent Wales at the 2025 European Championships in Stanvangar, Norway.