About Christopher Bond

Christopher is a composer, conductor, musical director and educator whose work with leading brass bands, in theatre, for broadcast and in education have established him a career of music with performances of his work across the world.

Described as “an extraordinary young man, from whom music pours with delightful generosity” by BAFTA-winning actress, Miriam Margolyes, Christopher has established a career as a composer, conductor, musical director and educator. Appointed as Composer in Residence with Cory Band in 2015, Christopher has worked closely with the band on original works, arrangements and outreach projects. In 2023, he was appointed Musical Director with The GUS Band whom he led to victory at the Wainstone Cup (2023 & 2024), Midlands Regional Championships (2026) and West of England Bandsman’s Festival (2026).

A graduate of the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, Christopher has been commissioned to write music for many of the UK's leading bands, including: Brighouse & Rastrick, Cory, Flowers, Grimethorpe, GUS, Leyland & Whitburn, with broadcasts on BBC Radio 2, 3, 4 & Classic FM. His works for brass band have been chosen as the set-works at the UK Regional and National Brass Band Championships in addition to the National Championships of Australia, France, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Switzerland as well as the North American Championships and European Youth Championships.

Christopher has composed and conducted the orchestral soundtracks for Magic in the Skies, the summer season of firework displays at iconic British landmark Land’s End since 2014, for which he’s worked with actress Miriam Margolyes & actor John Nettles. Additionally, in 2012 The Royal Diamond Jubilee Fanfare was commissioned and performed in the presence of HM Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, as part of the Diamond Jubilee Tour.

As an adjudicator and examiner, Christopher is an ABRSM music examiner and has sat on panels for BBC Young Musician, UK Regional & National Brass Band Championships, French National Championships, South of Ireland Band Championships, Scottish Open, UniBrass, Whit Friday (amongst others). Christopher is a member of the Association of Brass Band Adjudicators for whom he served on the Executive Committee from 2021-2026.

Christopher works regularly in theatre as a Musical Director for professional production company, Imagine Theatre and teaches at Jelli Studios in Liverpool with TV & West End star, Jennifer Ellison. Christopher will Musical Direct the upcoming 2026/2027 production of Sleeping Beauty at Crewe Lyceum Theatre with pantomime legend and national treasure, Su Pollard.

About The Cory Band

The Cory Band made history in 2016 by winning an elusive Grand Slam and becoming the first band in history to be Quadruple Champions - simultaneously holding the National, Open, European and Brass in Concert titles. This cemented a remarkable ten consecutive years at the top of the World Rankings. However, the band has a long and illustrious history. Formed in 1884, it originally bore the name 'Ton Temperance'. In 1895 Sir Clifford Cory, the local colliery owner, heard the band and offered to provide financial assistance, resulting in the band's change of name to Cory.

In 1980, the band became European Champion and in 1984, its centenary year, it won the third in a hat-trick of National titles at the Royal Albert Hall, London, conducted by the charismatic Major Arthur Kenney. In 2000 the band achieved a historic double by winning both the Nationals and, for the first time in its history, the British Open, conducted by Dr. Robert Childs. In 2008-10 the band achieved a hat-trick of European titles.

Since 2012, the band has been conducted by Philip Harper, winning another three European titles (2013, 2016, 2019), four Nationals (2013, 2015, 2016 & 2019), five Brass in Concert titles (2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019) and three British Open (2016, 2018, 2019). In 2014, it became the inaugural winner of TV Channel S4C's Band Cymru programme and repeated this achievement in 2018. It toured Australia in 2013, and the USA in 2016; 40 years after its last visit.

The Cory Band has also developed musically outside of the contest field. In 2001, together with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, it was appointed as resident ensemble to the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, and in the same year appointed Dr. John Pickard as its Composer in Residence. John Pickard's tenure with the band ended in 2005 when the band made history giving the premiere performance of his Gaia Symphony at the prestigious Cheltenham International Festival. The Symphony was broadcast live on BBC Radio 3, and lasting over an hour in duration, is currently the largest scale original work in the repertory.

The Cory Band is recognised as one of the Principality's finest and most innovative music ensembles. Its numerous CD recordings and live concert performances have received worldwide acclaim.

The Cory Band In Concert

Aristotle's Air, Christopher Bond (2015)

Hallelujah, Leonard Cohen arr. Christopher Bond (2019)

The Lost Village of Imber, Christopher Bond (2020)