The Buy As You View Cory Band

Conductor: Dr. Robert Childs

Morley Town Hall, Leeds
Saturday 22 November 2003

Playing a concert in one of the strongholds of the band movement could be a nerve racking experience for some bands but when you've got the quality of the BAYV Cory it's like water of a duck's back. This band from South Wales is without doubt one of the best bands in the banding world at the moment and along side there near neighbours Tredegar they have upheld the traditions of top class music making in the Valleys, and at this concert at Morley Town Hall you could hear why.

Under the expert leadership of Bob Childs they began with James Curnow's ‘Fanfare and Flourishes' and from the beginning the bands big all round sound was evident. Hector Berlioz composed many fine Overture's in his life and it was one of his most well known ‘The Judges of the Secret Court' that the band chose as there next item. Composed when Berlioz was at the young age of twenty three this music is dramatic and the band produced a superb performance with some fine playing all round the stand capturing the mood of the music with excellent detail.

The first soloist was the bands principal cornet, Ian Williams, who chose music by Eric Ball in a piece entitled ‘Glory to his Name', wrote when the composer was a Captain in the Salvation Army. This was not the first time I had heard this solo but the soloist showed me what I'd been missing. In a nutshell this is a tremendous solo and Ian showed all the quality you would expect from a Principal Cornet of a top notch band. A nice warm sound and excellent phrasing all through the solo. The rest of the cornet section then joined Ian in an arrangement by Goff Richards of ‘Hora Staccato' which they despatched in fine style.

More music from Eric Ball in his "Prelude for Pageantry" gave us once again the chance to hear the quality of sound this band produces all under control without losing the excitement of the music. The bands Flugel Horn player Joanne Deane was the next soloist to play and she chose music by Rodrigo in his "Concerto de Aranjuez". Joanne plays with great feeling and her phrasing was first class in a most satisfying performance of this excellent music.

The March "Death or Glory" followed before the band ended the first half with the exiting and descriptive March from ‘The Pines of Rome' by Respighi arr Snell. This describes the Roman Army returning after another battle won as they march up to the city gates lined with massive Pines. This music can easily get out of control but not with this band who built up the crescendos in a controlled manner before the full glory of the music reached a dramatic climax. An excellent end to the first half.

An arrangement by Ray Farr opened the second half in the old TV series ‘Softly Softly' and this was followed by Peter Graham's ‘Cry of the Celts' - this music in 4 movements gave the band the chance to show the full range of its talent - the first Movement entitled ‘Nightmare' featured Ian Williams on cornet followed by the second movement "Suil a Ruin" featuring the bands Solo Horn David Cornelius. The third movement ‘Breakout' showed of the talents once again of Joanne Deane on Flugel Horn before the final movement "Victory" showed the all band and the excellent percussion section at its best.

Arthur Prior was the Principal Trombone with the famous John Phillip Sousa Band and his arrangement of ‘Blue Bells of Scotland' featured the bands Principal Trombone Chris Thomas. This is one of the best trombone solos and the soloist gave what at times was a quite breathtaking performance with the full range of the instrument on show, super sound and technique was evident with excellent accompaniments from the band.

More music from the pen of Peter Graham in his "Cartoon Music" brought the last but not least soloist to show in the bands Soprano player Steve Barnsley. His chosen solo was ‘On With The Motley' by Leoncavallo arr Farr and he gave a stunning rendering of this popular solo, producing excellent control throughout.

Music by Tchaikovsky in the "1812 Overture" arr Childs was the finale to the concert. Having heard this music on countless occasions it still stirs the listener and the players and Cory gave it the full treatment in a blockbusting finish to the evening. As an encore the band played the famous Welsh march "Men of Harlech".

Once again Leeds City Council had put on another top class concert. The audience went home happy after listening to without doubt one of the finest Bands the band movement has to offer. Well done Cory for a well balanced programme excellently played.

David Tinker

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