Weekend event for those eager to lift the baton
AN EXCELLENT event is taking place on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd August at the Cory bandroom in Ton Pentre.
The Cory Band, supported by Ty Cerdd and the Arts Council of Wales, is offering a free day’s course in conducting.
The two conductors of vast experience involved are Philip Harper, who is the Musical Director of the Cory Band, who are ranked as the best band in the world and Nigel Seaman who, not content with winning contests in this country, went down to the southern hemisphere a couple of years ago and c`onducted the Wellington Band of New Zealand at the Australian Championships to become Champion Band of Australia!
The two days will involve those who have never picked up a baton before or are virtually a novice to the art of conducting on the Saturday and on the Sunday it should involve people who have been conducting and who would like some instruction in order to raise their ability to a higher level.
Philip Harper has been conducting the best band in the world since about 2012 and Nigel has a real wealth of experience.
Philip Harper, as Musical Director of world ranked number one Cory, has led the band to success in the Brass in Concert Championships on six occasions since 2012.
Since 2013 he has led Cory to become Champions of Europe on three occasions.
The British Open has had the Cory Band as British Open Champions on three occasions since 2013 and the Royal Albert Hall has seen Cory become Champions of Great Britain in 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2019.
Nigel Seaman is a busy freelance conductor, teacher, band trainer and adjudicator.
In 2015 he joined Cory working closely with Philip as a Musical Consultant.
Nigel, a North Walian was initially Principal Tuba with the Orchestra of the Welsh National Opera and later Principal Tuba with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales until his retirement in 2010.
At various times he has conducted Brighouse Rastrick, Desford Colliery, Fairey’s and Kortrijk, who were the Belgian National Champions just to mention a few outside the Welsh border!
In Wales some of the bands that he has conducted at some time are Cory, Tredegar, Parc & Dare, Lewis Merthyr, Llwydcoed, Markham. BTM,Burry Port Town, City of Cardiff (Mellingriffith) and Ebbw Valley Brass.
Whoever will be attending this free course for conductors will certainly be guided by the best there is and I am sure that those attending will leave the Cory bandroom full of new ideas and with greater confidence in the future.