Listen to the Band:

25th November

The legendary cornet and trumpet player Maurice Murphy recently passed away and tonight's programme is a celebration of his playing and his life in music.

His star playing quality was evident even in his early days as principal cornet and founder member of the newly formed National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain.

His days at the Fairey Aviation and Black Dyke Bands have become the material of banding legend but it was as principal trumpet with the London Symphony Orchestra for 30 years that his playing obtained truly legendary status.

Film composer John Williams was so impressed that he singled him out as co-creator of his many star wars scores, he even wrote one score entirely around the trumpeter’s talents.

We hear some of the classic music he made along with reminiscences from friends and colleagues as Frank Renton presents this special tribute programme.

9th December:

The Gala concert on the eve of the Brass in Concert entertaiment competition has became one of the most popular events in the banding calender.

Held last month in The Sage, Gateshead, the second half featured Black Dyke Band under conductor Nicholas Childs.

Frank Renton presents the highlights of their programme.