Chris began playing at the age of 12, under the experienced tutelage of John Leach. Membership of the Mid Glamorgan Youth Band (with most of the current Cory Band!) and then the National Youth Brass Band of Wales ensured swift progress.

At the age of 16, he detoured across the Severn Bridge to Sun Life and spent four years there before joining the Cory Band as Solo Trombone in 1989. A long road that went through Stockport, Auckland, Bedwas & Tredegar led back to Ton Pentre, when Chris re-joined Cory in May, 2000.

Chris has been British Trombone Champion on numerous occasions. He was British Open Solo Champion twice and has represented UK banding twice in the 'International Brass Musician of the Year' contest in New Zealand, with one win and one runner-up spot.

He trombone tutor to the National Youth Brass Band of Wales and has performed as Soloist with them on a number of occasions, the most recent of which was in July, where he was featured in Alun Hoddinott's Concerto Grosso. Last October, Doyen released his debut solo album, The Noble Trombone.

Jo originally comes from Rotherham and began playing trumpet aged 7 under the guidance of Sonia Mellor who taught her for 10 years. At the age of 14 and after a seamless swap to trombone she went from strength to strength, playing first trombone in all of the Rotherham Youth senior ensembles and appearing with the Yorkshire Youth Orchestra before gaining a place at the Royal Academy of Music in London and a scholarship to study at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Jo was drawn towards the bright lights of Cardiff where she is now 21 and in her 4th and final year being taught by Roger Cutts. Since moving to Cardiff Jo regularly appears with orchestras and ensembles in South Wales and the South West, most recently taking part in Sinfonia Cymru’s recent concert season and performing Belshazzars Feast with the Welsh National Opera.

Jo’s first banding experience began at the age of 15 playing first trombone with the Rotherham Schools Band and the Frickley South Elmsall Band. At the age of 18 she spent 2 very enjoyable years as first trombone with championship section Burry Port Band during arguably their most successful period, winning the Senior Cup, qualifying for the National Finals in London and gaining the Champion Band of Wales trophy. Last summer she also toured Canada as principal trombone with the NYBBW. Most recently Jo had a short stint with the Polysteel band but since discovering she had two left feet she was forced to relinquish her seat due to their rigorous choreographic routines! However Jo is now pleased to have been invited to be part of the fantastic trombone section of the Cory Band and is hoping that their recent success continues…

Andrew began to play the Bass Trombone at St. Cenydd Comprehensive School under the watchful eye of ex Joe Loss Bass Trombonist, Phillip Dando.

Andrew's natural ability and Phillip's expert teaching combined well and quick progress followed. At the age of 13, Andrew joined the BTM Band. Two years later, he entered the National Youth Brass Band of Wales and made such remarkable progress that he was awarded the Norman's Prize for the player showing the most promise (in a band that contained many future professional players).

Andrew enjoyed many concert and contest successes with BTM and also had a short period helping out at the Sun Life Band.

All this came to a halt in 1994, when he completely gave up playing in order to concentrate on developing his career in Insurance Risk Assessment.

Having done that, he returned to banding in 1998 by joining the 'Just Rentals' Cory Band and hasn't looked back!

His skills & experience are varied and wide-ranging and as well as his Cory commitments, he is Bass Trombonist with the Byron Jones Big Band and is in demand at many provincial orchestras.

He still harbours two ambitions: to retain the European title (other than runner-up, that is!) and stay in a round with Jo Hirst.