*
banner

Rousing Proms for B&D

The Blackburn & Darwen Band got the audience demanding more at their recent Last Night of Proms concert.

Blackburn 7 Darwen
 

The Blackburn & Darwen enjoyed providing the rousing music at Keswick’s Theatre by the Lake on Sunday to provide the exciting climax to a ‘Last Night of the Proms’ finale which received a standing ovation, needing two encores before they could leave the stage.

Successful

The highly successful event saw the North West band under Nick Sheppard provide a wide variety of music for the audience to enjoy, with traditional brass band classics such as, ‘Light Cavalry’ mixed in with original works, including the march, ‘The Old Boys of Armagh’ by Gareth Westwood and comedy interludes such as Gary Williams and Daniel Thomas who brought the house down with a comic performance of ‘Another Fine Mess’, a tribute to the talent of Cumbrian legend Stan Laurel.

Vocalists

Interspersed with local vocalists Ailsa McIntosh and Iain Nicholson, the evening was rounded off with the flag waving finale with ‘Fantasia on British Sea Songs’, ‘Jerusalem’ and ‘Pomp and Circumstance No 1’.

After such a wonderful evening, which contained a very high standard of performance and an excellent rapport between conductor and audience, it comes as no surprise that the band were asked for the encores!B&D Band

Wonderful

A spokesperson told 4BR: "After such a wonderful evening, which contained a very high standard of performance and an excellent rapport between conductor and audience, it comes as no surprise that the band were asked for the encores!"

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    


Gray

Tributes for Gray as conductor announces Eccles departure

March 31 • Thanks and best wishes as 16 year partnership between Mareika Gray and Eccles Borough comes to an end.


Brass Band Week

Banding campaigns return this summer

March 31 • Brass Band Week and Proms in the Park return this Summer — so make sure you reach out and connect with your local communities.


gALASHILS

Report & Results: 2026 SBBA Solo & Ensemble Championships

March 31 • There was a fantastic day of competitive solo and ensemble action to enjoy at Bellshill Salvation Army Centre.


BBW

March Edition of Brass Band World magazine out now

March 31 • The latest edition of the leading brass band magazine is now out — packed with interviews, articles, reviews and news...


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


Thornton Cleveleys Band

March 31 • MD VACANCY. Are you the missing piece to our FULL BAND?. We are a NW 3rd section band looking for our new MD. We are based just outside of Blackpool close to the M55 motorway. Mon+Thurs rehearsals.


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.


Alan Duguid

BA (Hons), PGDipMus, PGCE
Conductor, Composer, Adjudicator (ABBA)


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd