Following the outstanding success of their first online championships project Cory Band has announced its next initiative.

'The Battle of the Regions' aims to give bands another opportunity to build on their virtual entertainment skills as well as provide perfect motivation to keep bands going through the extended lockdown restrictions.

Ethos

The ethos of the competition corresponds to the first Cory Online Championships, with separate divisions based on each band's usual playing level. Each band will provide a 10 minute entertainment programme which can be recorded according to each country or region's government guidelines.

There is no registration but it is hoped that all competitors will follow the correct 'spirit of banding'. All performances will be judged by a panel of experts across programmes broadcast on YouTube.

It is hoped that 'Battle of the Regions' will fill the competitive gap in the early 2021 contesting calendar following the cancellation of the Area contest in the UK, the UniBrass Championships and the Norwegian Nationals.

Success

Speaking about the project, Cory MD Philip Harper told 4BR: "The success of the Cory Online Championships showed that there is a real appetite to reach out to new audiences by using social media technology in an inventive way.

We want 'Battle of the Regions' to provide a friendly rivalry that will provide an extra competitive angle to the event."

Local team

Competitors will automatically join their local team — the eight 'regions' of Great Britain, plus Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, a separate team for Norway, and one for 'The Rest of the World'. In addition there will be a separate University and Youth Section.

Phil said that there will be a new award — the 'Best Regional Piece Award' for the band which features the best music celebrating their region or area.

"Bands are encouraged to promote themselves, their local customs, traditions, history and personalities."

Bands are encouraged to promote themselves, their local customs, traditions, history and personalitiesMD, Philip Harper

Dates and entry

The competition is being partnered by both Kapitol Promotions and UniBrass Championships and will run on weekends from 19th February to 6th March 2021, with closing dates two weeks before each section is due to air.

Bands are asked in the first instance to register their interest by visiting www.coryband.com and filling in the webform before Friday 6th November 2020.

There is a limit of 15 bands per section, so they are urged to act quickly.

Potential sponsors are also welcomed. The last contest had 2,000 live viewers and nearly 200,000 overall viewers.