It has announced that Black Dyke Director of Music, Dr Nicholas Childs has been granted the title of Professor, at the world renowned Royal Northern College of Music.

Outstanding contribution

The title of Professor (Personal Chair) has been granted in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the music profession, including his ground breaking work over the past 14 years with the Queensbury band.

RNCM College Principal, Professor Linda Merrick, stated: "We are very proud to be able to honour Nicholas Childs’ outstanding contribution to the music profession with a professorial title.

I look forward to working with him as we enhance our brass band programme at the Royal Northern College of Music under the aegis of the new Philip Jones Centre of Brass."

Partnership

Under the Welshman’s direction, Black Dyke was offered a share Platform Partnership at the RNCM in 2007, along with the Hallé, BBC Philharmonic, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and Opera North orchestras — a role which continues with performance opportunities given to many brass and percussion students.

The MDs inspirational work in encouraging young musicians has also been recognised- from his own long term connection with the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, to the founding and directing of the hugely successful National Children’s Band of Great Britain, the Yorkshire Youth Brass Band and the annual Black Dyke Festival.

Commissions and premieres

His commitment to new music, with the commissioning of 76 new works and 90 première recordings, as well as his award of the prestigious Iles Medal in 2007 for his services to brass bands by the Worshipful Company of Musicians and, one year later, in becoming a Freeman of the City of London, were also fully acknowledged.

John Miller, RNCM Head of School, Brass, Wind & Percussion, added: "I’m delighted at the conferment of this professorship. I look forward to the RNCM's partnership with Nick and the Black Dyke Band growing and developing with the RNCM brass students over the coming years."

We are very proud to be able to honour Nicholas Childs’ outstanding contribution to the music profession with a professorial titleRNCM College Principal, Professor Linda Merrick

Remarkable

Meanwhile, the Black Dyke Band and Board of Trustees added their congratulations to the MD who has overseen the remarkable artistic and business development of the Queensbury band since the turn of the Millennium.

"We are delighted to offer our congratulations to Nicholas Childs, our inspirational Director of Music, on his award of a coveted Professorship from the RNCM.

It is fitting that the citation acknowledges his outstanding contribution to the music profession. Putting the band movement at the heart of the British musical establishment has always been a central lynchpin of his mission."

Great honour

Upon receiving news the award, Nicholas Childs referred to his long association with the RNCM and commented to 4BR: "To be awarded a professorial title is a great honour and I, along with Black Dyke Band, look forward to contributing to exciting new projects at the RNCM and the new Philip Jones Centre of Brass."