The Cory Band has announced a striking new brace of additions to its euphonium and baritone section as they look towards regaining possession of the British Open and National Championship of Great Britain titles later this year.

Fresh from a highly successful tour to Switzerland the band has announced the signing for former Back Dyke solo euphonium star Dan Thomas as well as American performer Joel Collier on baritone.

Queensbury and USA

Dan left the Yorkshire champion following their Huddersfield Area title success due to taking up a new job near Swindon. He will rejoin his mother Sue and father Chris back in the band following short stints in 2010 and 2014.

Joel, who is a graduate of James Madison University has relocated from the USA. Until recently Joel was an Assistant Professor of Music at Allen University in Columbia, South Carolina, whilst he has also gained critical acclaim for his growing portfolio of brass band compositions.

I'm absolutely delighted to have secured these two excellent playersMD, Philip Harper

Excellent players

Speaking about the appointments, Musical Director Philip Harper said: "I'm absolutely delighted to have secured these two excellent players. To bring a player of the calibre of Dan into the band really needs no further comment and I'm pleased that he'll be able to make a permanent link with his parents.

I'm thrilled to be able to add another Thomas family star to the roll-call!

Impressive

He added: "Joel won through the extremely hard-fought audition process and his commitment to make a successful transatlantic relocation has been impressive. He has already been an asset to Cory Band on the concert stage where he has played euphonium next to Glyn.

We wish him the best of luck in building his new life in the UK, and I'm certainly pleased to welcome another composer into the fold."