Trumpets Wild

Sleeve Notes: The vast experience of Major Kenney in the preparation of programmes of interest to all listeners, and the excellence of the playing of this fine band have resulted in a disc containing an unusually attractive programme. The marches — “St. Julian", an original one composed by Major Kenney and performed for the first time on this record - and “The Spaceman", one of the many famous marches written by the late Tom Powell, an erstwhile conductor of the Cory Band, offer exciting listening. Solo spots are taken by H. Williams (Eb Bass/Tuba) who demonstrates wonderful prowess in “Bombastic Bombardon”, and G. Davis (Euphon- ium) who plays “Spanish Serenade”. “Trumpets Wild", featuring Colin Stokes, Mal Picken, Richard Dix, Glyn Jones, Paul Arthur and Gwyn Thomas, and the smaller numbers, Boc- cherini’s “Menuett”, “Escapada" and the hymn-tune “Calon Lan" add variety. The two major works are Erik Leidzen's “Sinfonietta" and Ian Parrott’s “Land of Song”. It was with “Sinfonietta", which can be described as an original brass band composition, that the Cory Band had its most recent success, gaining First Prize against the best possible opposition at Black- pool (1970). It is appropriate that the Welsh Champions should record the fantasia “Land of Song” with its Welsh connections. Major H.A. Kenney was, until recently, Director of Music to the Welsh Guards. He has now accepted the appointment of Musical Director to the Cory Band. He has had a distinguished career in his musical life, starting as a choir-boy at Wells Cathedral, and later entering the Royal Military School of Music, where he was awarded the Worshipful Company of Musicians’ Medal for the most outstanding Student of the Year, 1947. He also gained the Commandant’s Prize for the best original march composition, and the Director of Music's Prize for conducting. In 1962 he was selected for the senior appointment of Director of Music to the Welsh Guards. The Band came into being in 1884, but changed its title to ‘Cory’ in 1895, when the late Sir Clifford Cory (head of the local Colliery Co.) became the Band's President. Since 1920, when Championship- Class status was attained, it has consistently been in the forefront of Welsh bands. ’ From 1960 to 1967, except for 1963, the Cory Band were Welsh Area Winners, and they have been winners of the ‘Champion Band of Wales’ title for four out of five years since 1966, when the aggregate points system for this title was introduced for the Welsh Region, — and are current holders. Many performances in major contests across the border have served to focus attention on the high standard of the Cory Band, but prior to 1970, their best result in this field was as ‘runnersup’ at Belle Vue Open and at the Royal Albert Hall Finals. Last year, in the C.l.S.W.O. Ninth Annual Mineworkers National Finals at Blackpool, they reached a pinnacle, in being awarded the ‘Lord Robens Challenge Trophy’ as Winners of the Championship Section, and so became the first Welsh band to win a major National top class event._ 1970 proved to be the most successful year in the Band's long history, as, in addition to this notable win, Corys again won the Welsh title, and were winners at the Excelsior (Cardiff) and Weston- super-Mare Open Festival Contests. In all, eight ‘winners’ trophies were brought back to the Band's Head- quarters at Pentre, Rhondda, during the season. i Its reputation as a concert and broadcasting band has long been acknowledged by audiences throughout the Country. Personnel: Soprano Comet - Ken Williams Solo comet - Colin Stokes Asst. solo comets - Richard Dix, Malcolm Picken, Glyn Jones, Paul Arthur, Gwyn Thomas Flugel Horn - Jeff. Thomas Repiano cornet - Jeff Sheppard 2nd. cornet - Ralph Morgan 3rd. cornet - Selwyn Protheroe 3rd. cornet - Graham Lewis Solo Horns - Steve Trotman, John Bowen, Ceri Lewis Solo Baritones - Ivor Roberts, Colin Radford Solo Euphoniums - George Davis. Roy Roberts Solo Trombones - Don Tanner Ivor England Bass Trombone - Norman John Eb Basses - Hugh Williams, Roy Parsons Bb Basses - Alan Cleary, Graham Sheppard Percussion - Bryan Davies