*
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    


NYBBGB

NYBBGB concert reprise this Friday

September 18 • You can sit back and enjoy a repeat of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain's Summer Concert this Friday evening.


Future

Brass Foundations Future Leaders graduate with distinction

September 18 • The first cohort of future brass band leaders graduate from the pioneering BBE programme.


cooperation and adams

Adams and coop in percussion partnership

September 18 • Adams Percussion and the cooperation band have entered into a new percussion partnership.


Dutch

Dutch judges announced

September 18 • The adjudication panels for the Dutch National Championships have been confirmed.


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band at Petworth Heritage weekend

Saturday 20 September • Centre of Petworth Town GU28 OAH


Cheltenham Silver Band - Holst Birthday Concert

Saturday 20 September • All Saints Church, All Saints Road, Pittville, Cheltenham GL52 2HG


Dobcross Silver Band - Milnrow Band

Sunday 21 September • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards Big Band

Friday 26 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Brass Bands England - The Brass Band Conference

Saturday 27 September • Redhills Durham Miners Hall, Durham DH1 4BE


Haverhill Silver Band

September 17 • Haverhill Silver Band (Championship Section) seeks a FRONT ROW CORNET (position negotiable). This is a superb opportunity to join East Anglia's premier brass band for the L&SC area contest, the Senior Cup, Whit Friday and beyond.


Cheltenham Silver Band

September 16 • Required:. Musical Director : Cheltenham Silver Academy Band Following the relocation of our current conductor we are looking for a progressive, passionate and dedicated individual to lead our Academy Band, and to support our continued improvement.


Chinnor Silver

September 16 • We need a Bass player (either Bb or Eb) and a percussionist to join our happy team! The band is promoted to the first section in 2026 and were also 2025 Second section National Finalists. We rehearse on Wednesday evenings in our own bandroom in Chinnor


Dr. Stephen Arthur Allen

D. Phil. (Oxon) [Ph.D Oxford University], GBSM, LTCL, ABSM, ALCM, Cert. Ed.


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd