Since winning the 164th British Open title in Birmingham recently, the Cory Band has been busy not just with rehearsing for their National Championship of Great Britain title defence and undertaking further dates on their busy concert schedule, but also replying to all the messages of congratulations that have come to them from across the banding globe.

Historic win

The historic win, enabled them to join a very select club of bands that have won the European, British Open and National Championship in the calendar year — although the number 1 band in the world can also boast the unique achievement of also holding the Brass in Concert title — making it an unprecedented 'Grand Slam'.

Good as we can

MD Philip Harper told 4BR: "All of these records are all very nice, but ultimately, what we continue to do at Cory is make the band sound as good as we possibly can.

This means getting some great players around the stand, instilling the band culture within them, thinking carefully about the big picture musical plan, and then practicing extremely hard!"

He added: "In the meantime, I think I speak for everyone in saying how proud we are to acknowledge the messages of support, congratulations and goodwill from around the banding world."

Concert appearances

Since the band's British Open victory (which also included individual awards to star players Helen Williams, Glyn Williams and Steve Stewart) Cory has performed in concert at Symphony Hall as part of the Sunday British Open Gala Concert, as well as much closer to home with a mid-week concert in the south Wales valley town of Abertillery, where a packed audience enjoyed both the sight and sounds of the Open, National, European and Brass in Concert champion in action.

The band's next concert stops are as far afield as Ireland and Germany as well as back home in Wales.

In the meantime, I think I speak for everyone in saying how proud we are to acknowledge the messages of support, congratulations and goodwill from around the banding worldMD, Philip Harper

Concert itinerary:

Saturday Sept 24th: (8.00pm) Dungannon Leisure Centre, Ireland.
Tickets: 07761911560

Saturday Oct 1st: (7.30pm) Withshire Music Centre.
Tickets: 01225 860100

Saturday Oct 15th: (7.30pm) Sauerland-Herbst 2016, Germany

Saturday Oct 29th: (7.30pm) Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
Ticket Line: 029 2039 1391

Saturday Nov 5th: (7.30pm) The Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen.
Ticket Line: 0845 226 3510

Saturday Nov 19th: (7.00pm) Riverside Community Church, Derby.