One of Wales' innovative arts venues will be celebrating 15 years of brass band concert promotion later this year, by inviting back the band that helped them kick-start their initiative in 2002.

Theatre Hafren in Newtown, nestles in the heart of Mid Wales — and although the area may not be as famous for its brass band history as the valleys south of the Brecon Beacons, it has a proud heritage, with concerts, contests and local bands that can trace their lineage back well over a century or more.

Welcome visitors

That will be celebrated later this year when Cory makes a welcome return under MD Philip Harper — the latest in a line-up that over the years has included the likes of Black Dyke, Foden's, Brighouse & Rastrick, Leyland, Fairey, Tredegar, Desford and Beaumaris.

Most recently, Grimethorpe played to a packed audience, thanks to the proactive approach of Marketing Manager Del Thomas — a former bandsman who has been determined to bring the sound of the very best bands in the country to the area.

Long term support

"There's been a very important brass band community in mid-Wales for decades,"he told 4BR. "As a result, we've been able to build up long term support for our concerts, with a well-informed audience prepared to travel to hear the very best bands in the world."

He added: "There are so few theatres in the UK regularly programming brass bands, but if you approach it in an innovative way, such as linking the concerts to masterclasses and open events — and for Cory's visit, our first Sunday afternoon matinee performance — then they become a great success.

I'm very grateful to those who have attended the concerts we've held and we're determined to build on them in the future.

It's wonderful to have Cory back to celebrate the 15th anniversary, and by keeping our ticket prices as low as possible, we are sure they will be welcomed with another full house of support."

we've been able to build up long term support for our concerts, with a well-informed audience prepared to travel to hear the very best bands in the worldTheatre Hafren, Marketing Manager Del Thomas

Promoting new audiences

In response Cory MD, Philip Harper told 4BR: "We are delighted to return Newtown — and especially as it is the type of venue that sees the importance in promoting brass bands to a new audience.

That's also something we've been doing with our own Welsh Arts Council initiative in recent years — and with forthcoming concerts in Maesteg, Swansea and Rhymney in June alone, we are also hoping to connect with new audiences throughout Wales."

Cory will be at Hafren on Sunday 29th October for the first ever brass band matinee concert at the venue (3.00pm) with tickets priced at just £11 and children £6 for early bookings before 6th June.

Cory in concert

Other forthcoming Cory concerts:

http://coryband.com/event/concert-in-maesteg/
http://coryband.com/event/swansea-court/
http://coryband.com/event/rhymney-school-concert/