*
banner

Horn swap for McCormack

Former Black Dyke horn star set for a bit of French fancy to try and raise funds for a great charity cause.

 

Former Black Dyke solo horn player Les McCormack is swapping tenor horn nationalities for a great cause on the weekend.

Jessie's Fund

Les is to be featured as the French horn soloist on Mozart's 3rd Horn Concerto in York, to help raise funds for Jessie’s Fund, a charity that helps seriously ill and disabled children throughout the UK by using music for communication and for therapy.

...its not altogether a brand new experience – although it is certainly different to playing on the stage at the British Open!Les McCormack

Grand Slam

Les, who was part of the Black Dyke band that won the 1995 ‘Grand Slam’ of major band contests, is looking forward to the experience.

"I live and work in York and play the French Horn with the York Guildhall Orchestra, the Academy of St Olave's and York Opera, so its not altogether a brand new experience – although it is certainly different to playing on the stage at the British Open!"

Music and info

The concert will feature music by Beethoven, Mozart and Schubert and will include the British premiere of a fragment of what is believed to be Schubert’s first attempt at a symphony.

For more information about the charity, please go to: http://www.justgiving.com/stolaves

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    


Rochdale contest

Results: 2026 Rochdale Contest

October 25 • Own choice victories for Unite the Union, Dobcross Silver, Littleborough Brass and St. John's (Mossley) as Kidlington book their Spring Festival place.


udi

Results: 2026 Dutch National Championships

October 23 • Brass Band Schoonhoven reclaims National title as there are victories for Chr. Brass Band Excelsior, Brass Band De Bazuin B, Koperensemble de Waldsang and UDI Brass Band Oosternijkerk in Utrecht.


Black Dyke

Varley heads from Hammonds to Queensbury

October 23 • Philip Varley joins Black Dyke Band on solo cornet from Yorkshire rivals.


Dutch National Championships

Countdown to Dutch National Championships

October 21 • Go to our special live page of coverage from the 2026 Dutch National Championships which start at the TivoliVredenburg in Utrecht this afternoon.


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the RAF Regiment

Friday 23 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Redbridge Brass Band

Saturday 24 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


The Hepworth Band - Aireborough Rotary Club Annual Charity Concert

Sunday 25 October • Yeadon Town Hall, High Street, Yeadon LS19 7PP


Dobcross Silver Band - Tintwistle Band

Sunday 25 October • Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane Dobcross. Oldham OL3 5AD


Regent Hall Concerts - Cliff Hardie Big Band

Thursday 29 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


St John's Band (Mossley)

October 25 • After a brilliant 1st place at Rochdale Contest, we are looking for an Eb BASS player to join our friendly 4th section band based in Mossley, Tameside.


St John's Band (Mossley)

October 25 • After a brilliant 1st place at Rochdale Contest, we are looking for a Bb BASS player to join our friendly 4th section band based in Mossley, Tameside.


Linthwaite Band

October 24 • We are currently looking for a kit player to help complete our team. We are a 4th section contesting Band, with a busy period coming up, and would like to fill the position as soon as possible.


Simon Gresswell


Conductor, adjudicator, tutor, tuba specialist


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd