After a gap of 28 years, the title of 'Champion Band of Europe' is back in Wales. Following a titanic battle between Cory the current Open Champions and Grimethorpe Colliery the current National Champions, the band'92s superb performances were enough to crown Cory as 2008 European Champions.



Here are a few comments from the experienced team of judges who assessed Cory'92s performances of Hakon Berge's Brass Blot & Phillip Sparke's Music for Battle Creek:

'93At last a band who are totally loyal to the score and at the same time take some time to make music. This was fabulous music Making!'94
Arvid Anthun

'93No Comment!!! Thanks for the music. Fantastic Chief, Band and Soloists'94
Armin Bachmann

"A Band of the highest order unfolding a performance of the utmost deliciousness, precision, integrity etc etc captivated by wondrous solo playing (bravo cornet) and all done with fabulous musical discipline from the conductor. Bravissimo!"
Nigel Boddice

"A very good performance. The last movement was one of the real highlights of the day - Sparkling, groovy playing! Good percussion playing and good soloists, euph and trom!! Thank you very much."
Jens T Larsen

"A well balanced band with fine solo voices and a secure ensemble. Very well directed. Good attention to the musical '91line'92 and the percussion was colourful and stylish. The Finale pulsated with nuance and clarity of line through the fugato material. Fabulous trombone - stylish and impressive. A very musical performance. Thank you."
David King

"Very fine performance given by an excellent band with many skills and qualities. Especially the final movement went very well, but also the second movement had wonderful moments. Some outstanding soloist!! ; trom, cornet, euph'85'85'85.! Bravo!"
Jan Van der Roost


Cory Band Celebrate on Stage in Stavanger - Norway.

Full Results of from the European Brass Band Championships 2008:

1. Cory, Dr. Robert Childs
2. Grimethorpe Colliery, A. Withington
3. Brass Band Willebroek, Frans Violet
4. Brass Band Fribourg, Arsene Duc,
5. Stavanger, Garry Cutt
6. Brass Band Buizingen, Luc Vertommen
7. Brass Band Lyngby Taarbaek, C. Schmiedescamp
8. Brass Band De Waldsang, Rieks van der Velde
9. Stockholm, Kent Jonsson
10. Oberoesterreich Brass Band, Hans Buchegger
11. Kirkintilloch, Howard Taylor


David celebrates with Cory's co-principal euphonium Matt Jenkins

4barsrest.com '96 online brass magazine wrote:

Cory finally put 28 years of near misses, hard luck stories and even the odd conspiracy theory behind them here in Stavanger '96 they were deserved winners of the 31st Championships.

The foundation of the second win in their history came on the back of a truly inspiring performance of the set work, Hakon Berge'92s enjoyable, and subtle '91Brass Blot'92 '96 pronounced '91Blout'92.

Although not the most technically demanding work any of these bands would have ever played, it still had more than enough about it musically to ask a number of searching questions '96 primarily the MDs ability to produce balanced textures and dynamics, clearly define the lyrical melodic line and, perhaps most importantly of all, do so amid subtle shifts in tempi.

Cory were the one band that did so - with a comprehensive sense of control that until they took to the stage late on the Friday night had been unheard of all contest. That it gained 99 points from the three judges, Nigel Boddice, Armin Bachmann and Arvid Anthun came as little surprise too '96 it was brass band playing of the highest class.

The performance also contained some lovely solo contributions from Phillip Cobb on third man as well as the usual suspects of Chris Tomas, Owen Farr and David Childs, but it was the sense of control, the subtle colourings of the balanced ensemble and the clearly delivered differing tempi that so stood out. You couldn'92t ask for more.


Following a stunning performance of 'Brass Blot'


David's father Robert leads the band to victory during Music for Battle Creek


A perfect double! 2007's British Open trophy meets 2008's European trophy!