A work celebrating the first solo non-stop transatlantic from the USA to Europe undertaken by Charles Lindbergh in 1927 has won the 2018 RWCMD Cory Composition Prize.

'The Spirit of St Louis' by Andrew Wainwright claimed the £300 award donated by Kapitol Promotions and a publishing contract with Wright & Round Music Publishers following its performance by Cory under MD Philip Harper at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama in Cardiff last weekend.

Epic half-pint

The final shortlist of three works performed in the night also included 'Bop!' by Matthew Shaw, a RNCM graduate and 'Autumn Hill' by Stephen Wood, Head of Brass at Wakefield Music Service.

However, it was Andrew's evocative composition that eventually triumphed, with the celebrated trumpeter John Wallace, who was part of the judging panel alongside composer Liz Lane and Cory's music consultant Nigel Seaman, stating; "There was much to commend from all finalists, but the winner had the edge — it was like an epic half-pint!"

Andrew, who is the Deputy Divisional Music Director for the Salvation Army in Texas will now see the work published and performed by Cory over the next 12 months.

Welsh premiere

Cory also gave the Welsh premiere of a new work by Scottish composer Jay Capperauld called 'As Above, So Below', which featured John Wallace's celebrated Wallace Collection quintet.

The work saw them playing from the balcony of the Dora Stoutzker Hall ('As Above') with the band on stage ('So Below'), as well as utilise several innovative effects such as the reciting of ancient cryptic text.

Andrew, who is the Deputy Divisional Music Director for the Salvation Army in Texas will now see the work published and performed by Cory over the next 12 months4BR

Filmatic

Cory MD Philip Harper told 4BR that the whole evening was an excellent celebration of new brass composition. "The standard was high this year, and we enjoyed working on the three pieces — an up tempo funk number, a lyrical piece and the programmatic, filmatic style of Andrew's winning work.

The three judges were unanimous in their verdict, and we were delighted once again to generate so much new music for band!"