Now that the dust has just about settled following Cory's National Championship triumph at the Royal Albert Hall, the band has announced that it will be completing its 2016 Welsh Tour before heading off to defend the Brass in Concert title in Gateshead in a couple of week's time.

The memorable victories in Lille, Birmingham and London saw the band claim the rare 'Grand Slam' of major titles, and they now hope to become the first band ever to add the Brass in Concert Championship to the achievement in the same calendar year.

History books

And although there is a unique place in the brass band history books beckoning at Sage Gateshead on November 20th, MD Philip Harper is keen to ensure his players will be fully focused and prepared by taking to the stage to perform to their growing legion of Welsh fans.

He told 4BR: "The achievements of this Cory Band are phenomenal, although I've been very clear in my own mind that the only time to think about 'Grand Slams' and the like is after they have been achieved — and never beforehand.

I'm always keen to focus the players' minds on the job in hand, which is to make that day's performance as good as it can possibly be. We have concentrated on blocking out all of the external distractions of which there have been plenty as this year has developed, so the completion of our Welsh Tour is the ideal preparation for Brass in Concert."

Domestic dates

Having just returned from high profile events in Germany and Ireland the band will now take to the stage in Cardiff and Carmarthen in an initiative that has been supported by Arts Council Wales.

On Saturday 29th October they will appear in Cardiff at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, with their near neighbours the Treorchy Male Choir as their guests, before heading to the Lyric Theatre in Carmarthen with special guest Craig Yates from Only Men Aloud on 5th November.

After their appearance at Brass in Concert the band will be guests of the Goodwick Band at St David's Cathedral in Pembrokeshire on Saturday 3rd December.

Not just Welsh fans

And it's not just Welsh fans who will be able to enjoy the band in performance either (all concerts are open to people from all corners of the banding world!), as you can catch them on Saturday 19th November at the Riverside Community Church in Derby, on the eve of the Brass in Concert Championships.

Brass in Concert taster

And as an enticing taster of what people may expect come their Brass in Concert appearance, Philip told 4BR: "Some months ago I decided that our programme would be based on the extraordinary life of Wales-born author Roald Dahl, whose centenary is being celebrated this year.

Many people know about his children's books, but not many people know about other aspects of his life, including his time as a World War II fighter pilot, some terrible tragedies, and his marriage to a Hollywood film star.

Our programme will be like a musical biography of his remarkable life and work."

I've been very clear in my own mind that the only time to think about 'Grand Slams' and the like is after they have been achieved — and never beforehandCory MD, Philip Harper.

Concerts:

Saturday October 29th:
7.30pm
Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff
Ticket Line: 029 2039 1391

Saturday November 5th:
7.30pm
The Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen
Ticket Line: 0845 226 3510

Saturday November 19th:
7.00pm
Riverside Community Church, Derby.
Ticket Line: 07909 111611

Saturday December 3rd:
7.30pm
St Davids Cathedral, Pembroke.
Ticket Line: 07508 284174 or 07971 945464