The 2014 ‘Double Champions’, Black Dyke gave everyone a ‘buzz’ on the weekend at a hugely successful day of music making in Dronfield.

The events promoted by Bolsover District Council saw the band deliver a thrilling concert to a capacity audience of 750 people at Dronfield Leisure Centre, as well as lead a workshop day for lucky delegates at the nearby Henry Fanshawe School.

Benefit

A Junior Band made up of players of up to Grade 3 standard was led by Keith Britcliffe, whilst a Senior Band of players of Grade 4 and beyond was directed by Director of Music , Professor Nicholas Childs.

The 54 delegates also benefited from the expertise of star players Richard Marshall, Jonathon Bates, Gary Curtin and Brett Baker, with the Junior Band performing a short afternoon concert to parents whilst the seniors later met up with Black Dyke to prepare in readiness for the evening concert.

Phenomenal success

Event organiser Carole Crompton was delighted by the success of the day: “The event has been a phenomenal success,” she told 4BR. “The concert was sold out two months in advance — and we could have sold out twice over.”

Carole added: “Everyone attending has commented on what a great day they enjoyed. The feedback has been excellent from delegates, parents and representatives of Derbyshire and Rotherham Music Services, who wrote to me this week saying that their children were still ‘buzzing’ at the experience they had with Black Dyke.”

Concert showpiece

The evening concert saw Black Dyke provide an exciting and varied programme, including a host of current repertoire favourites and showpiece solos.

Bolsover District Council is now looking forward to Black Dyke’s return later in the year, where the band will appear at Shirebrook Academy School delivering workshops on November 7th, followed by a concert at Shirebrook Leisure Centre.

The event has been a phenomenal success. The concert was sold out two months in advance — and we could have sold out twice overCarole Hirst

New commission

That concert will feature a brand new commission entitled, ‘In Memoriam- To the Fallen’, written by Philip Sparke to commemorate the centenary of the First Word War, which will be include narration by Frank Renton.

Tickets

Tickets for this event are available from Shirebrook Town Council on 01623 742475 or Shirebrook Leisure Centre on 01623 748313.

Application forms for the brass workshops available from carole.hirst@bolsover.gov.uk