Cory Band

Conductor: Dr Robert Childs
East Anglian Brass Band Association
69th Spring Gala Concert
Sunday 13th May

On Sunday 13th May, the Cory Band travelled 312 miles to Norwich to perform their first ever concert in East Anglia.

The band under the baton of their Musical Director, Dr Robert Childs commenced their programme with Lovatt-Cooper's 'Where Eagles Sing'. This was followed by a superb performance of the overture 'La Forza del Destino' by Verdi. 

The first soloist of the evening was tenor horn player Owen Farr who delighted an appreciative audience with his performance of 'The Fugitive'. The first half came to a close with a brilliant performance of 'The Year of the Dragon'. The controlled playing in the second movement was breath taking!

'Another Opening, Another Show' saw a lively start to the second half. Michelle Ibbotson and Joanne Childs then gave a beautiful performance of 'Pie Jesu'. After 'Broadway Spectacular' it was soloist showcase time.

Robert Childs described solo cornet player Ian Williams "a wizard of a cornet player" and his performance of Mendez's 'Chipanicas' confirmed this. It was then the turn of percussionist Dave Danford who delighted the audience with Rodney Newton's 'Skeletonality'. The final soloist of the evening was David Childs who gave the first ever concert performance of 'Neath The Dublin Skies' by Paul Lovatt-Cooper. David's performance was of the high standard that we have all come to expect. 

Cory Band then performed two items as a tribute to Elgar Howarth, 'Berne Patrol' and 'Mr Lear's Carnival'. Anyone who thinks brass bands cannot play quietly should have been in St Andrew's Hall listening to Cory Band play 'Berne Patrol'. I do not think I have ever heard a brass band play so quietly, the control was amazing!

The grand finale was Wagner's 'Procession to the Minster'. St Andrew's Hall is an ideal venue for this piece of music and the performance was excellent! With a final flourish Cory Band completed their programme with the encore 'Pel Mel' by W. Hogarth Lear.

As one member of the audience said to me "the standard of performance of the first item in the concert was exceptional and this was maintained throughout the concert". Another said, "It is the best concert I have been to for many years".

Christine Wade
Chairman
East Anglian Brass Band Association

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