*
banner

Sykes double for Bo'ness

There was a Sykes double bill at a recent Bo'ness & Carriden concert — with both father and son showing off their talents to the full.

Sykes
 

The Bo’ness & Carriden Band recently held their annual Summer Concert at Falkirk Town Hall featuring not one, but two members of the Sykes family — Steve and Stephen.

Trombonist Stephen was recently awarded the 'Best Instrumentalist' prize at the British Open in Birmingham, and a large and appreciative
audience enjoyed his contributions to a fine night of music making.

Father and son

The Sykes father and son act began with Stephen delighting with his 'Tribute to Don Lusher’ set – very apt as he was recently awarded the 2010 Don Lusher Trombone Prize.

This was followed by Steve (senior) wowing the audience on his tuba with 'Hejre Kati', 'The Meeting of the Waters' and 'El Cumbanchero'.

Bo'ness were directed on the night by guest conductor Andrew Duncan, and a wide selecytion of repertoire was on display from Peter Graham and Dan Price to Rossini and Wagner.

The Sykes father and son act began with Stephen delighting with his 'Tribute to Don Lusher' set – very apt as he was recently awarded the 2010 Don Lusher Trombone Prize4BR

Finale

As a finale the whole cast came together and concluded the concert with a rabble-rousing performance of Steve Sykes’ arrangement of Juan Tizol’s 'Caravan'.

Steve will once again be with Bo’ness and Carriden as he will be directing the band in their assault on the National Finals in Harrogate on the weekend.

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    


Presto CDs

Presto Music Collection: Six more to add to your playlist

January 1 • New and old CDs from David Childs and John Wilson to Black Dyke and Williams Fairey.


Richard Marshall

Marshall makes Riverside connection with baton

January 1 • Richard Marshall becomes part of the conducting team spearheading NASUWT Riverside in 2026.


RWCMD

New Year financial boost for RWCM&D

January 1 • The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama gains nearly two million pounds in funding to help provide its core delivery of performance based music and drama.


Presidential role for Dame Errollyn Wallen CBE

January 1 • The critically acclaimed composer has become the new President of The Royal Society of Musicians.


Newstead Brass - Brett Baker

Saturday 17 January • St Wilfrid's Church, . Kirkby-in-Ashfield NG17 8LA


The Hepworth Band - New Year Concert

Sunday 25 January • Christ Church, New Mill, Holmfirth HD9 7ER


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 6 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: London & Southern Counties Regional Championships

Saturday 21 March • Arts & Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, Stevenage SG1 1LZ


Tintwistle Band

January 1 • We have a vacancy for an Eb bass player to complete our bass section.. We are looking forward to competing in the 2nd section Midlands area contest in March 2026.. We rehearse Monday&Thursday 8-10pm in our own bandroom under the baton of our MD Jim Henson.


Croy Silver Band

January 1 • Croy Silver Band currently has contest vacancies on Cornet and Percussion, but is always happy to accommodate enthusiastic new players in any section of the band.


Welwyn Garden City Band

December 30 • 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.. Our MD is Will Douglas and we rehearse in Welwyn Garden City on Sunday evenings from 7.00-9.00pm.


John Maines

BA (Hons)
Presenter, compere and conductor


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd