Cory Band and UniBrass Strengthen Ties
Cory Band and UniBrass are strengthening ties as they team up to present the University Section in the forthcoming Kapitol Cory Online Championships, and the UniBrass Foundation is a major partner of the competition.
Taking place on Friday 19 March at 6pm and broadcast live on Cory Band’s YouTube channel, the University Section will see 11 bands from the UK and the USA competing for the title at a time when all ‘in-person’ competition has been cancelled, including the popular UniBrass Championships event.
On the judging panel for the evening will be Chris Osborn, one of the founders of UniBrass back in 2009. Chris was a participant in the UniBrass contest on six occasions with Lancaster University – three as a player and three as a conductor – so knows the format of university banding inside out. He then served as a trustee of the UniBrass Foundation, and organised and presented the live-streaming of the event from 2015-2017, as well as hosting the Shield Section in 2019 and 2020.
Speaking of his appearance as a judge Chris commented: “I’m very excited to be involved in UniBrass again, although in a way that none of us could have imagined just a year ago. I’ve been involved in UniBrass since the very beginning, performing, hosting the contest and the livestreams over the last 10 years and I can’t wait to hear the performances all of the bands have put together for this year’s contest.”
In related news and in the absence of the UniBrass contest this year, the organisers are planning the release of UniBrass: The Lockdown Collection – the first album of its kind, featuring tracks recorded in a distance-banding style by 14 different University Bands. This will be launched on streaming platforms (Spotify, iTunes, WOBplay etc) in the next few weeks. Organising Committee Chair Voirrey Baker explained “We are delighted to be showcasing the talent of university brass bands, in this exciting new album, on top of the Kapitol Cory Online Championships. Giving bands opportunities to perform is so important at this moment in brass banding history.”
Cory Band’s Musical Director Philip Harper said: “We were delighted when UniBrass agreed to link up with us for our latest competition, and the addition of Chris to the judging panel will only enhance what is sure to be a lively contest. It’s a pleasure to work with such a forward-looking organisation as UniBrass and we welcome them warmly as partners.”
The Kapitol Cory Online Championships will be broadcast on Cory Band’s YouTube channel across the following three weekends:
Friday March 12, 6pm-10pm, 2nd Section
Saturday March 13, 1pm – 10pm, 4th Section
Friday March 19, 6pm-10pm, University Section
Saturday March 20, 1pm – 10pm, 1st Section
Friday March 26, 6pm-9pm, Youth Section
Saturday March 27, 1pm – 6pm, 3rd Section; 7pm – 10pm, Championship Section (Part 1)
Sunday March 28, 5pm – 10pm, Championship Section (Part 2) and Results
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