*
banner

Baker racks up the miles

Brett Baker has been racking up the air miles of late.

Baker
 

Brett Baker, principal trombone of Black Dyke, spent the Easter holidays with a short tour of Melbourne and Hobart in Australia where he played at the Australian National Championships with the Kew Band.

Linz

Brett managed to get back to the UK just before the total cancellation of UK flights, but still had more air miles to look forward to as he will soon deaprt with Black Dyke to Linz for the European Championships.

USA

Immediately on his return from Austria Brett will fly to Toronto to play as a soloist with the Mississauga Temple Band and the Oakville Children’s’ Choir on the 8th May.

Then after a short flight down to Columbus, Ohio, Brett will visit the Band of the Western Reserve for the sixth time in ten years and meet up again with their conductor, fellow Brit, Keith Wilkinson. Brett will perform as guest soloist in a concert on 15th May.

This year I will be premiering the brass band arrangement of an old standard for cornet or trombone by Gardell Simons called Atlantic ZephersBrett Baker

Long standing

Brett told 4BR: "I have a long standing relationship with both bands which goes back eleven years. I particularly enjoy my concerts with the Band of the Western Reserve as it usually leads to a new arrangement of a trombone solo by Keith."

He added: "This year I will be premiering the brass band arrangement of an old standard for cornet or trombone by Gardell Simons called 'Atlantic Zephers'. Equally exciting though will be a return visit to my friends at Mississauga who I have not seen since 2004!."

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Purcell

Purcell students shine in BBC Composing Competition

December 9 • Young compositional talent from The Purcell School has made its mark in the BBC Young Composer Competition.


Smith and Grezzy

Podcast: Smith & Grezzy's Big Chat Brass

December 9 • The second part of the duo's chat with Derek Broadbent.


Knapton

Knapton takes Towcester lead

December 9 • The experienced Ian Knapton is to become the new Musical Director at Towcester Studio Band.


Carys Wood

Trumpet student in royal spotlight

December 9 • Royal Academy of Music trumpet student Carys Wood recently performed at the annual Princess of Wales Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey.


Garforth Brass - Strawberry Fields Primary School

Friday 5 December • Garforth Methodist Church,. Church Lane,. Garforth,. Leeds LS25 1NW


The Hepworth Band - Christmas Brass & Voices

Saturday 6 December • Thornhill Parish Church, Dewsbury WF12 0JZ


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band Christmas Event

Saturday 6 December • Petworth Town Centre GU28 OAD


Haverhill Silver Band - Family Christmas Concert

Sunday 7 December • Castle Manor Academy, Haverhill CB9 9JE


Petworth Town Band - PetworthTown Band Christmas Concert

Saturday 13 December • St Mary’s Church Petworth GU28 OAD


Petworth Town Band

December 9 • Petworth Town Band have vacancies for CORNETS, BASS TROMBONE and TUBA. We are a very active band with an inspirational MD Paula Streeter. Concerts are planned for next year and we would welcome you to join us


Welwyn Garden City Band

December 9 • We are a friendly & sociable Second Section Band with an eye on the 2026 Areas. We have vacancies for a FRONT ROW CORNET player and PERCUSSIONISTS.


Flookburgh band

December 9 • Flookburgh Band Vacancy ........ Musical Director . . We are newly promoted to the Second Section and looking for an inspirational Musical Director to lead us forward!. Concerts: 5 main concerts per year + summer engagements . .


Sandy Smith


Conductor, teacher, adjudicator and arranger


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd