Ian began his cornet-playing career in a youth club brass band at Gellidawel School aged 6. This is where an association with the Priday family ensued. Firstly Mr Aylette Priday, conductor of the youth band, cornet player and family friend. Secondly Mr William Priday, Aylettes father and conductor of Coed Ely Colliery Band.

Encouraged by his parents Joy and Brian, also a solo cornet player with the above band, Ian attended private lessons with 'Will' Priday until 11 years of age. His contesting debut began in 1974 with Coed Ely Band - 4th Section - 2nd Cornet, 18 players and a first prize. Secured under Mr Ernest Coombs baton the seeds were sewn and steady progress was made. Eventually attaining the Principals Chair of Coed Ely Colliery Band. Ian was well guided and encouraged by Coed Ely's Conductors, firstly Mr Ernest Coombs an elite Cornet player of his era, and secondly Mr Edward 'Nobby" Clarke a charismatic character and the bands most successful conductor. Under this leadership the band climbed to Championship Section with well-earned prizes and Solo Awards going to principal players.

At this stage Ian was playing for the R.A.F. St. Athan Volunteer Band, Coed Ely Colliery Band and also Mid Gamorgan Youth Brass Band. Incidentally where a tremendous friendship of today's Cory players was forged.

1990 and a move up the valley to Cory, was a difficult decision to make leaving behind not only friends but family, but after much, much persuasion by Mr John 'Poacher' Jones, Ian joined on Assistant Principal Cornet only to move to principal the same year.

Ian says "It's a tremendous honour to sit on the "End Seat" an to follow in the footsteps of some legendary cornet players, most notably Mr Jim Davies a fine principal cornet and legendary soloist and also to be part of today's "Winning Team" expertly guided by Mr Robert Childs.

 Michelle played at Black Dyke with the Band's Musical Director Bob Childs in the late 1990s and she said she was delighted to be working with him once again.

Michelle is warmly remembered for her stunning performance with Dyke on Dove Descending. She also made the headlines when she became the first specialist soprano tutor with the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain and was also in the team of tutors on the inaugural National Youth Children's Band of Gt Britain last year.

Dr Childs said that Michelle has the pedigree to lead the Band to even more successes in the future.

In September 2005, Michelle won the inaugural Brian Evans Memorial Award as the outstanding soprano cornet at the British Open Championships at Birmingham's Symphony Hall.

In December 2007, Michelle was voted 'Player of the Year' by the Cory players.

 Chris hails from the Welsh village of Briton Ferry,  where he began his musical career playing cornet for the local silver brass band.

In 1989 Chris became a member of the National Youth Brass Band of Wales working his way from bottom 3rd Cornet to Principal Cornet. In 2005 Chris was very proud to complete the cycle by becoming the Cornet Tutor for the NYBBW.

After playing for the countries finest bands he decided to diversify and take up the trumpet. It was his trumpet playing that led to him moving to London where he took up a coveted place at the Trinity College of Music   under Norman Burgess. Whilst at Trinity College of Music Chris was the winner of the Phillip Jones Brass Ensemble Prize and the John Burden Soloist Prize.

He completed his musical studies as a postgraduate at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama under Paul Cosh, John Miller and Anne McAneney.

After completing his studies Chris held many prestigious trumpet and cornet positions including playing for the Halle, Liverpool Philharmonic and BBC Concert Orchestras, before moving to New Zealand to play for The Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra and Dalewool Band.

Since 2000 he has returned to his brass band roots, playing Co-principal Cornet for the Black Dyke Band, Soprano Cornet for the Brighouse and Rastrick Band, where he has enjoyed much success including winning the National Brass Band Championships.

In 2003 Chris felt the calling of the green green grass of home and is thrilled to be playing with the BAYV Band on Assistant Solo Cornet. He looks forward to a long association with the band and many more contest successes.

Chris is a Peripatetic Brass Teacher for Gwent Music Support Service as well as Cornet Tutor at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama. 

Chris and his wife Lynne became parents to Carys Jane Turner on December 23rd, 2007

Darren returns to us after a couple of years at the Tredegar Band. He will post his profile shortly, just as soon as he wakes up.

Seamus was born in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland. He began playing at the age of 7 under the tuition of Bob Quick. He moved up the ranks and became principal cornet of his school Brass Band and Principal Trumpet of his area Youth Orchestra.

Seamus decided to ‘move across the water’ to England to study Trumpet under George Reynolds at the Colchester Institute. During his time at College he was principal trumpet with the Britten Pears Orchestra and bumper up with the Young Ambassadors Brass Band of Great Britain. He later completed a PGCE at Norwich and went on to teach in the area for 6 years.

Having played for Clacton-on-sea Co-op Band he went on to play for Aveley and Newham for a year before moving to Wales to take up a teaching post in Porthcawl.

Since moving he is very proud to be part of Cory and his most enjoyable time in banding, the most memorable of which was winning the British Open 2007.

Richard is another returning Cory 'Old Boy' who will post his profile as soon as he sorts his 'puter out!

But meanwhile, we can tell you that he joined as a youngster in short trousers in a back-row that had just won a National hat-trick. Being young, he had higher aspirations, so he joined the Cwmaman Band as Principal Cornet and forged a reputation as one of the finest leaders in Welsh banding. We are delighted that Richard has chosen to return to the band.

In August 2005, Richard was promoted from third-man to the Repiano chair and made a brilliant contribution to our performance at the British Open the following month.

He is the current BAYV Cory Band whisky 'Down-In-One' Champion.

Lisa Childs, has joined the Buy As You View Cory Band strengthening their already mighty cornet section.

Lisa who has recently been awarded a distinction for her Masters Degree Recital at the Royal Academy of Music, studying with James Watson, Howard Snell and Bob Farley has decided to spend a few years with her parents in Wales and is more than happy to fill the vacant position on the back row.

Bob Childs, Musical Director said, “I am delighted that Lisa has agreed to play on the back row for both the Open and the Nationals, it has strengthened the cornet section no end”.

Lisa is no stranger to the big occasions. She has played with Black Dyke and BAYV Cory at the British Open and Nationals in previous years.

Lisa commented on her appointment, “It’s great to be back in a band full time, especially playing under my Dad and alongside my brother. The band is in great form and I’m really looking forward to performing with such a class outfit”.

Phillip joined in 1980. The rest is a little vague, but he remembers a National hat-trick, something about a european and two enormous plates of blancmange.

Since those heady days, Phil has stuck with the band through good times and bad, which makes our recent success all the sweeter!

Phil enjoys ornithology and riding his big, shiny Honda motorcycle.

Phillip loves to travel and is looking forward to going to Norway in May. He likes Norway.

Neil began playing at the age of 7 in the Salvation Army in Pentre. He later went on to come Principal Cornet of Treorchy Comprehensive School under the guidance of Ieuan Morgan.

At the age of 15 he was asked to play with Cory in a wedding and because of the proud moment of wearing the jacket for the first time, he refused to give it back and has managed to hold on to it ever since.

Neil was fortunate to be one of the members to have played in the band which won 'The Double' in 2000, when the dream began with Bob Childs conducting the band and he has enjoyed living the dream ever since.

Neil has played in so many amazing performances over the years but the one which stands out is the own choice performance of Revelation in Bergen, Norway. The band received a standing ovation that day and it made Austin cry on stage, although that could have been down the price of the beer.

Neil is marrying his long time girlfriend Carolyn Evans in July 2008 which he is looking forward to and even more so because it is being held in the church where he played first played with Cory.

Travis began playing at the age of 10 at the Tredegar Youth Band, winning awards for his ability and dedication. He was promoted to the senior band 5 years later. During this period, he played at the National Finals 6 times, the Open 6 times and the European 4 times.

In 1999, Travis retired from playing due to pressure at work, but luckily for us, decided to bring his wealth of experience to Cory, when we invited him to join in the Summer of 2001, in time for the British Open.

We lost that one, but Travis tasted his first Open win a year later on McCabe's 'Maunsell Forts'.

Travis enjoys his work down in the 'engine room' of the cornet section and alongside Neil 'Sinatra' Blockley, provide the foundation of the best back-row team in banding.

A keen golfer, Travis holds the band record for the most money ever spent on a single club - a lovely blue Mizuno number that makes a terrific 'ping' sound, regardless of where the ball goes!