Joanne started her music making 12 years ago with the Mid Rhondda Band. Since that time she has played with Parc & Dare, East Yorkshire Motor Services, Tredegar and has held the prestigious position of principal cornet with the National Youth Brass Band of Wales on numerous occasions.

On joining Cory back in 2002, Joanne commented, 'As a young cornet player with Parc & Dare I always had aspirations to play with the then Christie Tyler Cory Band who rehearsed just down the road in the village I grew up in. The prospect of returning to the Rhondda to play with Cory under Bob's direction is extremely exciting for me and something that I am definitely looking forward to.'

Joanne played for Cory's Musical Director, Bob Childs in her formative years as principal cornet with the University of Leeds Brass Band and the EYMS Band.

When commenting on Joanne's decision to join the band he said, ' I have known Joanne's playing for a number of years, I've followed her progress through the NYBBW and she played principal cornet for me in Hull. Joanne will fit very well in to The Buy As You View Cory Team'.

Of course, since then, Joanne has had success at the very highest level and has cemented her place among the elite of flugel players.

Pontypool in South Wales has always been famous for its steel and "Front Row", but with the rise of Owen Farr, the Music World is beginning to know it for its brass and the middle of the band.

Owen began his musical career with the Pontypool Brass Band at the age of six. He soon joined Gwent County Youth Brass Band and the National Youth Brass Band of Wales, progressing to Principal Horn in both ensembles. Owen's growing talent was recognised in 1995 when he became the British Open Junior Solo Champion and was appointed Solo Horn for the Tredegar Town Band at the tender age of sixteen.

He consolidated the precocious promise of his youth by enrolling in what was arguably the centre of excellence for brass musicianship at the time, the Royal Northern College of Music, in 1998. Six months later he joined the famous Williams Fairey Band. Owen thrived in both these environments and was voted "Player of the Year" by his fellow players at the band. He enjoyed many successful solo performances with the band and was also a key member in their two National Finals victories.

2002 was an extremely busy year for Owen; he graduated from the Royal Northern where his talent was recognised by his immediate appointment to the department as Tenor Horn Teacher. He also accepted a teaching post at Liverpool University. On top of this busy teaching schedule, he also went on to form "Sonar Brass" alongside Richard Marshall, Alan Morrison, Nicholas Hudson and Shaun Crowther. This dynamic ensemble has enjoyed great success, culminating in prestigious broadcasts such as "Listen to the Band" and "Friday Night is Music Night".

Owen is dedicated to improving the pedagogy of the Tenor Horn and is constantly exploring ways of improving teaching methods for the instrument he loves. This can be seen both in the positions he holds in the Birmingham Conservatoire (Lecturer in Brass Scoring and Arranging) and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (Tenor Horn Tutor) and is his work as a Besson clinician where he tours the country raising awareness of the Tenor Horn with his lyrical tone and stunning technical precision.

Owen was extremely pleased to be able to return to the "Land of his fathers" by joining the Buy as you View Band in 2004. Owen is in many ways a musician's musician, combining amazing skill on the instrument of his choice with a passionate urge to know everything about his profession and develop that body of knowledge even further. The promise of his early talent has blossomed into an assured maturity that ensures Owen's place in the "Front Row" of brass band musicians, soloists and educators for the 21st Century.

Visit Owen's website.

Michael is a second-year student at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, where he is taught by Owen Farr.

He will post his profile shortly.

Lucy began playing at the age of 9 in the Abertillery Youth Band, spending 3 very happy years there before being enticed away to the Tredegar Youth Band at the age of 12. She moved to the Blaina Band for two years before her studies took her to the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. While at the RNCM, Lucy played with the Poynton and Wingates bands.

After graduation, Lucy returned to the Principality, a short spell at BTM preceding a year at the Cwmaman Band. Lucy has also held the Principal Horn seat at the National Youth Brass Band of Wales.

She is currently working towards a PGCE at the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff.

Joining the band brings Lucy even closer to the man in her life - Superhunk Travis!