Reigning Welsh champions Cory has announced the latest stage of their innovative youth agenda, with the launch of the Cory Academy.

Comprehensive

Following the launch of their own youth band, they believe it will become one of the most comprehensive and inclusive youth programmes available anywhere in the UK.

Beginning in April, the Cory Academy will work and support ten youth bands within the Rhondda Cynon Taf area of the South Wales valleys.

Excellence

According to a spokesperson, the recent news of funding cuts to music services in Wales will see Cory’s initiative provide a beacon of excellence for the long term prosperity of banding in the heart of the South Wales valleys.

They told 4BR: "The youth bands will receive weekly teaching support from a Cory tutor, who will work alongside a volunteer from the individual bands to improve the playing skills of the young players.

Project officers provided by Cory will promote the opportunities for learning and playing brass instruments around local schools and will direct pupils to their local community bands."

Intensive weekends

It is envisaged that the Academy will also provide three intensive weekend courses throughout the year which will see players from the individual bands join together to perform and receive tuition from Cory tutors.

Cory MD Philip Harper, told 4BR: "It’s important that every band retains strong roots with its local community.

With music provision being cut from council budgets across the region, this is one way in which Cory can enhance this increasingly vital provision, leading the way in the education of South Wales's young people.

The Cory Academy reflects significant long-term vision by the band's management team and we are all looking forward to watching this acorn grow."

The Cory Academy reflects significant long-term vision by the band's management team and we are all looking forward to watching this acorn growMD, Philip Harper

Partnership

The band management team have worked extensively over the last 12 months with Creative Consultant, Judi Hughes and Craig Roberts from Making Music to develop the initiative, which has become a reality through support of the Arts Council of Wales, Garfield Weston Foundation and the Michael Tippett Musical Foundation.

Significant

Band Manager Austin Davies, told 4BR: "This is a significant development of a Cory legacy, and more importantly, is something which I feel will be looked upon in the future as a catalyst for the resurgence of brass playing throughout Rhondda Cynon Taf and hopefully throughout Wales."

He added: "We are delighted that bands in the area have joined us, and as a collective we hope to make a real difference for the next generation of brass players. We are indebted to the financial partners who have brought the Cory Academy vision to life."