The celebrations following Cory's emphatic victory at the Welsh Regional Championship in Swansea were understandably more muted than they have been in previous years.

The tragic death of former principal cornet player Ian Williams still drew deep emotional responses — ones that were shared between players and MD as they lined-up to have the traditional champions photograph taken on the Brangwyn Hall stage. It was in many ways a bittersweet victory.

Poignant memories

The immediate trappings of victory — the Welsh Regional Trophy and the awards to Philip Harper as the winning conductor, principal cornet Tom Hutchinson as 'Best Instrumentalist' and the John Trotman Trophy to the 'Best Basses' were accompanied by poignant memories of a player and friend who they would have loved to have shared their moment of triumph with.

"That's true,"Philip Harper told 4BR. "It's been a very difficult time for the band, but our thoughts are with Ian's family so we hope the joy of this victory can be shared with them. We wore black armbands out of respect and I think all the players today performed from the heart."

Those emotions were crystallised in a performance that he surely would have been more than proud to have been a part of; a sumptuous display of ensemble confidence and solo artistry that sealed a 33rd title success by a clear margin from their great rivals Tredegar. It also saw them gain the honour of representing the nation at the 2019 European Championship in Montreux.

Really wonderful

That was certainly the impression left on the audience as the final 'Odyssey' chord rang out, whilst there was much more than mere respect from the judges in their written remarks: "Wow, so much to admire in the playing and the reading was a blockbuster. Fantastic playing — thank you", Alan Morrison wrote, whilst Steve Sykes summed up his thoughts with: "Really wonderful — one of the best performances that I've heard for a long time."

Alan's pre-results precis was also as clear as the victory that had awarded the defending champion. "There was one totally outstanding performance,"he said. "Steve told me that it was one of the best he had heard for some time, and I have to agree. The remaining bands played with distinction on a piece that tested everyone."

Later he told 4BR: "Cory was so impressive. There was some fabulous playing from Tredegar in second, but the winners were clear-cut. The two other qualifiers were also good."

Enough quality

His remarks emphasised the opinion that although Tredegar did not perform to the level that saw them come runner-up at the Albert Hall last October, there was still more than enough quality about their rendition, despite the noticeable little clips, to suggest they will again be in the top-end reckoning at both Autumn majors.

With the two heavyweights automatically assured of their places at Kensington Gore, a separate battle was fought out between the contenders for the brace of priceless qualification invitations.

Delighted

In the end it was a somewhat relieved Tongwynlais Temperance and a delighted City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) that caught the ears of adjudicators Alan Morrison and Steve Sykes — although there was disappointment for the north Walians of Northop Silver in fifth, who many thought may have done just enough to sneak into the qualification frame.

Behind them there was encouragement for the next generation of emerging talent from Goodwick Band as they finished sixth, although there was obvious disappointment for Llwydcoed, who many people thought were potential qualifiers before the contest started, and signs of potential with Parc & Dare who were making a first top-flight appearance in a decade.

With the weather causing a great deal of havoc on the roads down to Swansea (especially from the valleys) there was some doubt that the contest would go ahead on time (with some acidic Facebook comments leading contest secretary Philip Morris to issue a stern reprimand to one band representative), but the sympathetic approach of the regional committee to any potential problems ensured the day ran to time.

Aspirations

The contest itself took a little time to warm up as Goodwick, Parc & Dare, Llywdcoed and Northop gave contrasting, if inconsistent interpretations that failed to ignite Albert Hall aspirations in the box.

However, that all changed with Cory who delivered a performance that will perhaps rank as one of their best at the event under Philip Harper's tenure, even on a work that did not lend itself to a long term stay in the memory banks.

City of Cardiff (Melingriffth) will certainly remember this day for a very long time though, as Garry Cutt drew on all his experience to make the type of crucial musical mark in the box that has been his hallmark over the years and send the band back to the Albert Hall for the first time since 1972.

With Tredegar not quite on their A-game in a performance rich in pulsating energy if occasionally chipped execution, it was left to Tongwynlais Temperance to capture the final podium slot for a third consecutive year with a robust performance under Andreas Kratz that grew in qualification authority and security the longer it developed.

For Cory however, a victory that will be remembered for a very long time for reasons that will perhaps mean a great deal more than the manner of the success itself.

There was one totally outstanding performance. Steve told me that it was one of the best he had heard for some time, and I have to agreeAdjudicator, Alan Morrison

Result:

Championship Section:

Test Piece: Odyssey (Kevin Norbury)
Adjudicators: Alan Morrison and Steve Sykes

1. Cory (Philip Harper)***
2. Tredegar (Ian Porthouse)**
3. Tongwynlais Temperance (Andreas Kratz)*
4. City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) M1 (Garry Cutt)*
5. Northop Silver (John Doyle)
6. Goodwick (Matthew Jenkins)
7. Llwydcoed (Christopher Turner)
8. Parc & Dare (Leftfield Environmental Ltd.) (Jonathan Pippen)

***Cory will represent Wales at the 2019 European Championship and were pre-qualified for the National Final
**Tredegar pre-qualified for National Final
*Qualified for National Final

Best Instrumentalist: Tom Hutchinson (cornet) — Cory
Best Basses: Cory