Cory Band & Shepherd Brass Band

Cory Band and Shepherd Brass Band are playing together at the Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall on Friday 13 November. It's a double bill that brings the two bands onto one stage, with Musical Director Philip Harper leading the way.

Cory Band is the big name here. They've been ranked the number one brass band in the world for thirteen years running, and they're known for doing things a bit differently than your typical brass ensemble — they've pioneered the use of choreography and immersive audio-visual effects in their shows. Shepherd Brass Band, one of the leading ensembles in the North of England, joins them for this one, and it's a pairing they've done before: they're coming together again after a string of sold-out concerts.

The programme mixes popular, classical and traditional brass band music with original compositions and arrangements by Philip Harper. There'll be performances by Shepherd Brass Band on their own as well, so you'll hear them both separately and together over the course of the night.

There's a specific reason for the timing, too. The concert falls on the eve of the Brass in Concert Championship in Gateshead, and Cory Band will be performing its contest programme — the same set they'll be taking into the competition the very next day. It's a chance to hear it in a concert hall before it goes in front of the judges. The whole thing runs from 7:30pm to 9:30pm at the Auditorium in the Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall, Rymer, Heslington, York YO10 5DB.