The Cory Band, directed by Dr Robert Childs were crowned the 32nd European Brass Band Champions in Ostend on the weekend, after delivering two scorching performances that comprehensively beat the multi national field of rivals.

Massive

Cory’s massive 8 point winning margin was the largest in the contest’s recent history, beating the 6 point margin the YBS Band managed in the same country back in 2002. In fact you have to go back to 1990 when Black Dyke won in Scotland by 9 points has such a comprehensive victory been achieved.

A packed Kursaal complex on the Ostend seafront had enjoyed playing of the very highest class from all the contenders over the two days, but Cory still managed to take their playing to another level4BR

Highest level

A packed Kursaal complex on the Ostend seafront had enjoyed playing of the very highest class from all the contenders over the two days, but Cory still managed to take their playing to another level, comprehensively taking the combined 9,500 Euro first prize ahead of a delighted Treize Etoiles from Switzerland, conducted by James Gourlay.

Consistent

Their impressively consistent performances over the two days gave them a narrow one point margin over third placed Eikanger Bjorsvik, directed Bjarte Engeset, who were many people’s to push the Welsh champions all the way to the winning tape.

Minor battles

The battle for the minor places was a close run thing, with Brass Band Rijnmond from the Netherlands benefiting from two consistent performances to come fourth, beating English champions Grimethorpe into fifth, after they had recovered from a disastrous performance on the set work on the Friday to set the Kursaal alight with their own choice selection of ‘Masquerade’ on the Saturday.

Encouragement

Although disappointed that their own breathtaking playing of their own choice selection didn’t impress the judges as it did the audience, there was encouragement for the Austrians of Brass Band Oberosterreich as they came sixth, ahead of the promising Belgians of Festival Brass.

Further back

A good length or two further back came the rest of the field, headed by Tredegar, who finished two points clear of Lyngby Taarbaek with Whitburn and Brass Band Aeolus of France propping up the results table.

First Section

In the First Section there was a very impressive victory to the Germans of 3BA Brass, with an own choice concert performance that included the set work ‘Catedrales’ that for many seasoned observers wouldn’t have been too far out of place in the Elite Section.

They took home with them the 3,000 Euro first prize ahead of the Italian’s of Brass Band Wipptal and the Austrian Brass Band in third, win what this year was a highly encouraging and entertaining contest.

National Anthem

No further encouragement needed for the double champions however, as Cory enjoyed their victory on the Kursaal Hall stage with a rousing rendition of the Welsh National Anthem.

In their 125th year they have now won the first two of the six major honours they hope to bag by the end of the season. Next stop is the World Championships in Kerkrade, where their odds of victory have already been slashed by the banding bookies to odds-on to become Champions of the brass band world.

Section A

Friday 1 May and Saturday 2 May 2009
Test piece: From Ancient Times, Jan Van der Roost
Adjudicators set work:
Jan Hadermann (Belguim), Garry Cutt (UK), Franz Cibulka (Austria)
Adjudicators own choice:
Blaise Heritier (Switzerland), Ray Farr (UK), Rob Goorhuis (Netherlands)

Results:

1. Cory Band (Wales), 8/4, 98+98=196
Conductor: Dr Robert Childs

2. Brass Band Treize Etoiles (Switzerland), 1/3, 94+94=188
Conductor: James Gourlay

3. Eikanger-Bjorkvik Musikklag (Norway), 7/8, 97+90=187
Conductor: Bjarte Engeset

4. Brass Band Rijnmond (Netherlands), 10/2, 95+91=186
Conductor: Ivan Meylemans

5. Grimethorpe Colliery Band (England), 3/9, 90+96=186
Conductor: Allan Withington

6. Brass Band Oberoestereich (Austria), 9/1, 96+89=185
Conductor: Hannes Buchegger

7. Festival Brass Band (Belgium), 11/6, 91+93=184
Conductor: Manu Mallaerts

8. Tredegar Band (Wales), 4/11, 92+87=179
Conductor: Ian Porthouse

9. Lyngby-Taarbaek Brass Band (Denmark), 5/10, 93+84=177
Conductor: Christian Schmiedescamp

10. Whitburn (Scotland), 6/5, 89+86=175
Conductor: Russell Gray

11. Brass Band Aeolus (France), 2/7, 88+85=173
Conductor: Bastien Stil

Best Soloist Award:
MIchael Dodd, Grimethorpe

Tied scores: Set work results takes precident.

B Section

Saturday 2 May: 9.00-1200 local time
Test piece: Catedrales, Bert Appermont and Own Choice Programme
Adjudicators:
Jan Hadermann (Belguim), Garry Cutt (UK), Franz Cibulka (Austria)

B Section

1. 3ba-brass (Germany), 6, 95
Conductor: Franz Matysiak

2. Brass Band Wipptal (Italy), 3, 93
Conductor: Martin Gruber

3. Austrian Brass Band of the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz (Austria), 4, 90
Conductor: Prof. Uwe Koell

4. Murley Silver Band (Northern Ireland), 2, 88
Conductor: William Hill

5. Drogeheda Brass Band (Republic of Ireland), 1, 85
Conductor: Michael Maher

Brass Band Senjorai (Lithuania), 5, 84
Conductor: Piet Visser