The reigning European and Yorkshire Regional Champion is to host the 'Black Dyke Brass Festival' at Leeds Town Hall on Sunday 5th June.

Specialised

As part of a full day of educational training and top class music making, the festival will feature a number of specialised workshops (see below) where delegates will work alongside Black Dyke stars to help improve their own playing and rehearsal techniques.

In addition, the day will be rounded off with a Gala Concert featuring the newly crowned Yorkshire champion, boosted by delegates who will have the unique opportunity of playing with the world's most famous band.

Conductors Workshop

An added bonus this year will be will be a special 'Conductors Workshop' led by Black Dyke's Director Music, Professor Nicholas Childs.

This will give delegates the opportunity to work on all aspects of conducting technique on works that will encompass different levels of ability — from Ray Farr's 'Adventures in Brass' and Peter Graham's 'Shine as the Light' to the trickery of Derek Bourgeois' 'Serenade'.

The Gala Concert which takes place at 3.00pm will provide the climax to the day's activities.

World premieres

The first half will feature Black Dyke showcasing two world premieres — with Edward Gregson's imposing 'Cornet Concerto' featuring soloist Richard Marshall, and a new work by Paul Lovatt-Cooper entitled, 'The Final Journey'.

The second half will feature the Yorkshire Youth Band who will be celebrating their 10th anniversary, whilst the musical climax will see the massed ranks of seven bands — Black Dyke, Yorkshire Youth, Armthorpe Elmfield, Blackley, Delph, Kirton and Trentham raise the roof with Wagner's 'Procession to the Minster' as well as 'Pomp & Circumstance' , '76 Trombones' and 'The Dambusters March'.

Tickets

Tickets available from Leeds Town Hall Box Office Tel: 0113 224 3801:
£14, £12, £11, £10

Workshops: Cornet, Tenor Horn and Lower Brass Spotlights

These workshops are open to players of all ages and standards, with parts rehearsed for the massed bands items with Black Dyke.

Cornet Spotlight with Richard Marshall:
All aspects are covered in the workshops include warm-ups, general technique and sight-reading session.

Richard told 4BR: "Last year we had over 50 delegates and I was over the moon with the response from the players."

Tenor Horn Spotlight with Jonathan Bates:
In addition to the wide ranging help with skills sets there will also be the chace to meet and ask questions of horn legend Sandy Smith.

Jonny told 4BR: "Sandy is a wonderful player and musician and I am sure the delegates will receive a real insight About the art of tenor horn playing."

Lower Brass Spotlight
Gary Curtin told 4BR: "Tuba, euphonium and baritone players will cover ensemble playing and solo performing. We will also chat about preparing a piece, breaking it down and rebuilding it, which should help players during contest and solo preparation."

An added bonus this year will be will be a special 'Conductors Workshop' led by Black Dyke's Director Music, Professor Nicholas Childs4BR

Registration:

Registration on the day commences at 9.00am with the proceedings starting at 9.30am.

The cost for the whole day workshops is just £5 and you can register by emailing respectively to

Conductors — David Hirst: secblackdykeband@btinternet.com
Cornets — Richard Marshall: Richard.B.Marshall@btinternet.com
Horns — Jonathan Bates: jonnythehorn@hotmail.com.
Lower Brass — Gary Curtin: gcurtin@gmail.com

When contacting please include:
Name: Band Email Address