*
banner

Wilkinson to lock swords again with Newtongrange

Dr Keith Wilkinson will carry on his trans-Atlantic association with the Newtongrange Band into a fourth decade at the Spring Festival in Blackpool in May.

Keith Wilkinson
 

The recently crowned Scottish First Section champion, Newtongrange Silver has announced that it will be renewing their musical connection with former conductor Dr Keith Wilkinson for their appearance at the Senior Trophy in Blackpool in May.

Four decades

It sees the return of the former GUS and William Davis Construction MD to the band he has directed with considerable success over a period of four decades — starting way back in 1987, and including a famous Scottish Championship title win in 1991.

Keith last made the trans-Atlantic trip ‘across the pond’ to guide the band to the Scottish First Section title in 2004 and, later in the year, to fourth place in the First Section Finals in Harrogate.

Bradford challenge

The band was delighted to be able to ask Keith when it learned that their current professional conductor, Lee Skipsey, was unavailable as he will take City of Bradford Band at the same contest!

It sees the return of the former GUS and William Davis Construction MD to the band he has directed with considerable success over a period of four decades — starting way back in 19874BR

Raring to go

Keith recently directed Chapel Brass to victory in the Third Section of the North American National Championships, and told 4BR:

“I’m really looking forward to working with Newtongrange once again. The initial work on the test-piece has been carried out by the band's talented resident conductor, Iain Fleming, so I’m sure the band will be raring to go on Philip Sparke's ‘Tallis Variations’.”

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    


wobplayeuros

Get ready to enjoy the European experience with Wobplay

April 22 • There will be day after day of fantastic coverage from the 2026 European Championships thanks to World of Brass and wobplay. So why not just sign up, relax and enjoy...


Adams

Adams link with Percussi Aeris duo

April 22 • Scottish duo Paula O'Malley and Chris Flynn have become Adams artists as company strengthens links to banding world.


BBE Brass Band Week

Brass Band Week and Proms in Playground campaigns launched

April 22 • There are fantastic opportunities to reach out to new audiences as part of Brass Band England's Summer initiatives.


Livestream

Spring Festival and Open streaming details confirmed

April 22 • You can now sign up ahead of the 104th British Open Spring Festival to ensure you don't miss a single note of the action.


Regent Hall Concerts - Central Band of the Royal Air Force

Friday 1 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 3 May • St Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street SE10 9BJ


Regent Hall Concerts - FiveBy5 Trumpet Quintet

Tuesday 5 May • Charlton House and Gardens. Charlton Road, . London. . SE7 8RE


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 8 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Wardle Anderson Brass Band - Wardle Junior Blast

Friday 8 May • Milnrow Parish Church, 16 Westward Ho, Milnrow, Rochdale OL16 3JX


Bedworth Brass

April 22 • Bedworth Brass 1st Section require a Musical Director. Can you inspire and plan interesting and enjoyable rehearsals? Select concert programmes and own choice test pieces that engage both the band and audiences? If you can then we want to hear from you.


Longridge Band

April 21 • Longridge Band (North West, First Section) invite applications for the position of PRINCIPAL CORNET. We are a friendly and committed band that enjoys a great balance of concerts and contests throughout the year.


Waterbeach Brass

April 16 • Waterbeach Brass are seeking a talented and confident solo (tutti) cornet player to join our friendly and ambitious band. We offer a welcoming and social environment with a diverse and challenging musical repertoire playing at regular concerts and contests


Alan Duguid

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


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd