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Radio: Listen to the Band

Frank talks to David Thornton and Peter Skellern in May.

Renton
 

Listen to the Band:

18th May:

Star euphonium player David Thornton has just added conducting to his impressive musical CV as he starts to combine playing with his new job as Music Director of Wingates Band.

He talks to Frank Renton about the challenge of conducting his first CD with the band, ‘Perspectives of Pretoria’, a tribute to a local mining disaster 100 years on.

He also recalls his time with Black Dyke and talks about his solo albums and plans for the future.

Frank Renton also remembers a concert in 1996 given by Eikanger Bjorsvik which proved to be a ground breaking event in how bands could present themselves and plays music from an award winning album from the innovative Band of the Coldstream Guards.

25th May:

Peter Skellern recalls his early brass playing days, what BBC 1's Top of the Pops thought about having a brass band on the show when they appeared with him on his 1972 hit 'You're a Lady' and 'Just how do you say no to Fred Astaire?'.

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kAPITOL

2026 National Finals test-pieces announced

March 30 • Works by Philip Sparke, Andrew Wainwright, Eric Ball, Thierry Deleruyelle and Peter Graham will challenge the Albert Hall and York Barbican finalists.


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Youth Champs

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March 28 • If you are anywhere near Birmingham today, get along and enjoy plenty of fantastic brass band performers.


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March 28 • Allan Withington will lead Grimethorpe Colliery at the British Open and Albert Hall National Final, as contesting connection with Carlton Main comes to an end.


The Hepworth Band - Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra

Saturday 18 April • Huddersfield Town Hall HD1 2TA


Regent Brass - Woodbridge Excelsior Band and Russell Gray

Saturday 9 May • The Salvation Army (Regent Hall), Oxford Street, London W1C 2DJ


Contest: Whit Friday March Contests

Friday 29 May • Saddleworth & Tameside OL3


The Hepworth Band - Brassband Burgermusik Luzern

Saturday 30 May • Dewsbury Minster, Vicarage Road, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire WF12 8DD


Regent Brass - Living Lines

Sunday 5 July • St Saviour's, Pimlico, St.George's Square, Pimlico, London SW1V 3QW


St John's Band (Mossley)

March 29 • BBb BASS player required following our 4th place at the North West regionals. We are a friendly, welcoming 4th section band based in Tameside, Greater Manchester and we rehearse on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in Mossley.


St John's Band (Mossley)

March 29 • SOLO CORNET players required (position negotiable) following our 4th place at the North West regionals. We are a friendly, welcoming 4th section band based in Tameside, Greater Manchester and we rehearse on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in Mossley.


Hucknall and Linby Mining Community Brass Band

March 29 • Bb AND Eb BASSES WANTED!. We are a friendly 1st section band based in Nottingham - rehearsal Thursday Evening. We have an exciting year planned with a visit to Whit Friday and a place secured at the nationals following our success at the midlands area!


Jack Capstaff

Bmus (Hons)
Conductor | Composer


               

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