*
banner

PLC swaps sticks for baton with Brighouse

Paul Lovatt-Cooper will be at the helm for two high profile concerts with Brighouse & Rastrick over the coming few weeks. -

PLC in action
 

Paul Lovatt-Cooper will be swapping his percussion sticks for the MDs baton as he looks forward to conducting Brighouse & Rastrick in two forthcoming high profile concerts.

It’s a welcome return to the front of the band for the popular Black Dyke star, who has been enjoying himself of late hidden away amongst the Queensbury percussion section as they claimed the 2014 ‘Double’.

Too good to miss

Getting the chance to conduct their great rivals once more though was a wonderful opportunity too good to miss as he told 4BR: “I'm very excited to be conducting Brighouse & Rastrick again. I worked with the band some years ago preparing them for Brass in Concert with Richard Evans.

They are a fantastic group of musicians with wonderful soloists, so you can see why I’m excited by leading them in what promises to be two great concert events.”

Where and when

Paul lead the West Riding band in a joint concert at the Riverside Civic Hall, Whitworth, alongside the Whitworth Vale & Healey on Saturday 22nd November 7:30pm, whilst his second appearance will be at Brighouse & Rastrick’s Christmas Extravaganza concert in Ilkley at the Kings Hall on the 7th December at 3.00pm.

Not surprisingly, Paul has ensured that there will be the usual mix of high class soloists and popular concert entertainment fayre.

“Brighouse are such a great concert band, with all the talents to entertain — so that’s what I will be hoping to do with them.”

Welcome to West Riding

Meanwhile, Brighouse & Rastrick Band President, Paul Beaumont was delighted to welcome Paul to the band. “His flair for music-making and experience in a wide range of performance styles, dynamic compositions and musical arrangements, and his indelible rapport he establishes with audiences makes Paul a very worthy guest conductor with the band.

Everyone is looking forward to two great concerts — they are not to be missed.”

Brighouse are such a great concert band, with all the talents to entertain — so that’s what I will be hoping to do with themPaul Lovatt-Cooper

Tickets

Tickets for the Riverside Civic Hall, Whitworth are priced at £12.50 and are available from brighouseandrastrick.ticketsource.co.uk or from the Riverside direct on 01706 854130

Tickets for the Christmas Concert are available from Ilkley tourist information on 01943 602319 or from brighouseandrastrick.ticketsource.co.uk and are priced at £13.50 — £16.50.

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    


Huddersfield

Huddersfield Uni strengthens link with Army

January 11 • The student connection between the University of Huddersfield Wind Band and the Band of the Royal Yorkshire Regiment continues to be strengthened under MD Jim Fieldhouse.


Sine Nomiee

Brookwright Music: Sine Nomine (Vaughan Williams arr. Andrew Wainwright)

January 11 • A wonderful set of four contrasting variations based on 'For all the Saints' by Ralph Vaughan Williams.


Matthew Jones

OBE recognition for Matthew Jones

January 11 • The Senior Producer and Deputy Chief Executive of National Youth Arts Wales has been awarded the OBE in the recent New Year Honours List.


Coalburn

Coalburn awards youth and experience

January 11 • The annual Coalburn Silver Band awards night saw accolades and recognition from the beginners to the most experienced performers.


Newstead Brass - Brett Baker

Saturday 17 January • St Wilfrid's Church, . Kirkby-in-Ashfield NG17 8LA


The Hepworth Band - New Year Concert

Sunday 25 January • Christ Church, New Mill, Holmfirth HD9 7ER


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 6 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: London & Southern Counties Regional Championships

Saturday 21 March • Arts & Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, Stevenage SG1 1LZ


Cambrian Brass

January 11 • We are a friendly, inclusive and hard-working brass band, welcoming players of all ages and abilities. We are particularly keen to fill our Soprano Cornet, Flugelhorn, Tenor Horn, Euphonium and EEb Bass positions.


Putney and Wimbledon Brass Band

January 8 • Following our promotion to the 2nd section we are looking for a percussionist to do a bit of bing bonging on the timps for the regionals in March. We are a lovely band - everyone says so - so please get in touch. Rehearsals Weds from 1930 in Putney.


Mid Rhondda Band

January 6 • Mid Rhondda Band are currently looking for a trombone player and percussionists to join the team. We are a friendly, welcoming 3rd section band working towards competing in the Welsh Area in March. We also have a variety of events booked for 2026.


Alan Duguid

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


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd