Newly crowned Brass in Concert champion Cory has been inundated with congratulations from all parts of the musical as well as political world following their success at Sage Gateshead on the weekend.

New areas

"It still surprises me in some ways, but then I realise just how the profile of the band has expanded into new areas over the last few years,"MD, Philip Harper told 4BR.

"I think it tells you a great deal about the pride people have in Cory when local and national politicians tweet about our success, and when supporters from the other side of the world are the first to e-mail their congratulations.

The response to the National Finals victory was amazing, but this was something else. It's very humbling and I can't thank people enough for their support."

Favourable impression

Philip revealed that the first inkling that the latest title winning programme entitled, 'FIRE, AIR, WATER and EARTH — THE FOUR ELEMENTS OF THE UNIVERSE' had created a favourable impression came when he was walking through the Sage concourse to get back to the changing rooms following Cory's performance.

"Some people just made a bee-line for me and said how much they enjoyed it, saying that the music and the theme were perfectly matched. That was great to hear as we wanted it to be a set that the audience could understand and enjoy from first note until the last."

Orgy laugh

Philip also laughed when he recalled that he almost let slip that he felt there was no better way to round off a brass band entertainment set than with an orgy...

"You do have to be a bit careful the way you explain Berlioz's fantastic 'Brigand's Orgy' from 'Harold in Italy' — and even Frank Renton got a bit tongue tied with it on stage!"

He added: "It's a great piece that I knew would round the programme off superbly, and with the band playing as well as it did and showing such remarkable musicianship it was certainly one we all enjoyed!"

2016

The latest victory rounds off yet another superb contesting year for the world number 1 ranked band, with 2016 already shaping up to be just as memorable.

"We have concert tours to the USA and Sweden, concerts at the French National Championship and just about all parts of the UK as well as a number of CD recordings and other exciting projects,"Philip added.

I think it tells you a great deal about the pride people have in Cory when local and national politicians tweet about our success, and when supporters from the other side of the world are the first to e-mail their congratulationsPhil Harper

New programmes

"Our American friends have already been in touch and we have already told them that we will be bringing out two brand new programmes — one based on a Cory 'Space Odyssey' and another on the 'Best of British' to wow them. It's my intention show them just what brilliant brass band entertainment is all about."

That's great news for the Americans and all Cory's supporters around the world — but perhaps bad news for their contesting rivals then...