Listen to the Band - 18/09/2009

Currently European, Brass In Concert and World Champions, the Cory Band are having a bumper 125th Year. This concert, recorded in St David's Hall Cardiff, forms the centre piece of their celebrations. Formed in 1884 in the Rhondda Valley as The Ton Temperance Band, their potential was quickly spotted by Sir Clifford Cory, then Chairman of the Cory Brothers Coal Company, whose offer of sponsorship led to a name change for the band. Tonight's conductor, Robert Childs, was appointed in 2000 and immediately led the band into a succession of acclaimed recordings and a string of competition victories including The British Open, Area, National and European Championships and most recently the 2009 World Championship Crown. The concert features jazz superstar Wycliffe Gordon, who came to prominence with Wynton Marsalis's legendary Jazz at Lincoln Centre Orchestra, the Morriston Orpheus Choir, and conductor Robert Childs. The repertoire includes the world premiere of Hail The Dragon, written especially by Philip Sparke; Adiemus from the hugely popular and talented pen of Karl Jenkins. Wycliffe Gordon also contributes some trombone fireworks in his own piece Me We and the choir join forces with the band in the classic Myfanwy and Danny Boy.