Evolution
The Cory Band has also developed musically outside of the contest field. In 2001, together with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales they were appointed as resident ensemble to the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, and in the same year appointed Dr John Pickard as their Composer in Residence. John Pickard’s tenure with the band ended in July 2005 when the band made history giving the première performance of his Gaia Symphony at the prestigious Cheltenham International Festival. The symphony was broadcast live on BBC Radio 3. Lasting over an hour in duration, it is currently the largest scale original work in the repertory.
The band is dedicated to new music, raising the profile of the brass band genre and keeping music alive in Wales. They have an active commissioning policy and have performed works by many of Britain’s leading composers; John McCabe, Judith Bingham, Elgar Howarth, Edward Gregson, Alun Hoddinott, Karl Jenkins, Gareth Wood, David Bedford, as well as John Pickard. The band’s current Composer in Residence is Welshman, Gareth Wood.
In 2002 the band were selected to play for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee celebrations and have since performed in many of the world’s finest concert venues including the Grieg Hall, Stravinsky Hall, the Royal Albert Hall and Symphony Hall, Birmingham. In 2003, they performed with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the Last Night of the Welsh Proms and were more featured during the opening celebrations of the new Wales Millennium Centre.
The Cory Band are recognised as one of Wales’ finest and most innovative music ensembles. Their numerous CD recordings and live concert performances have received worldwide acclaim. Having dominated in Wales for the last five years, 2005 saw the Cory Band officially ranked number 1 in the World (according to 4barsrest World rankings ).
In 2007, following the end of the term of sponsorship from the Buy As You View company, the name of the band reverted to Cory Band.
In September 2007, the band became British Open champions for the third time and returned to no 1 in the World rankings.
In May 2008, the band became European Brass Band Champions following two days of competition in Stavanger, Norway.
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