*
banner

Black Dyke open invitation to Festival

Black Dyke is offering a warm welcome to players, conductors, supporters and brass band lovers alike to their popualr Black Dyke Festival in Leeds in June.

Black Dyke
 

One of the most popular Black Dyke events of the year will take place in Leeds in June, when the Queensbury band once again hosts it own Black Dyke Festival.

Led by Director of Music Prof Nicholas Childs, it provides a hub of musical activity and excellence which culminates in a fantastic afternoon concert at the magnificent Leeds Town Hall on Sunday 5th June (3.00pm).

Opportunities

Not only do players have the opportunity to work alongside many of the band star soloists in masterclasses during the day, but players from theYorkshire Youth, Armthorpe Elmfield, Blackley, Delph, Kirton and Trentham Bands will also enjoy the opportunity of joining the current European and Yorkshire Regional Champions on stage for the Gala Concert.

Important showcase

Prof Childs told 4BR: "This is such an important showcase event for the band — one which we are delighted to organise and promote and open to as many people as possible. Each year we have a terrific response — and the gala concert has provides a wonderful musical climax.

We offer something for everyone this year — from the masterclasses for conductors and players to the music performed, which will include the UK premiere of Edward Gregson's wonderful new 'Cornet Concerto' written for principal cornet Richard Marshall and the world premiere of Paul Lovatt Cooper's 'The Final Journey'.

With our famous Soloist Showcase featuring the talents of Katrina Marzella and Gary Curtin, and our massed bands items that are guaranteed to rock the foundations, we are sure everyone who comes along will enjoy themselves."

Conductors Workshop

An added bonus this year will be will be a special 'Conductors Workshop' led by 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'.

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 themoon 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 concert perpetration."

We offer something for everyone this year — from the masterclasses for conductors and players to the music performed, which will include the UK premiere of Edward Gregson's wonderful new 'Cornet Concerto'Prof Nicholas Childs

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

Any further information please contact Alison Childs: alison4horn@btinternet.com

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    


Civic Hall

Result: 2026 Midlands Regional Championships Second Section

March 15 • Harborough Band claims the last Midlands title on offer for this year as they are joined in York by Leicestershire Co-op.


markham

Results: 2026 Welsh Regional Championships

March 14 • Cory reclaims the Welsh title as Parc & Dare, Markham & District, City of Cardiff (M2) and Gwaun Cae Gurwen claim section honours.


Pendennis

Results: 2026 West of England Regional Championships

March 14 • Flowers reclaim Area title with section wins for Lympstone, Lanner & District, St Pinnock and Pendennis Brass in Torquay


Shine

Ready to shine? NYBBGB offer audition skills workshops

March 14 • There are a trio of FREE audition skills workshops on offer from the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain to help young player's skills sets.


Regent Hall Concerts - London Central Fellowship Band

Saturday 7 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Regent Hall Band of the Salvation Army

Tuesday 10 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Queen Victorias Consort

Friday 13 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Slide Effect Trombone Quartet

Friday 20 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London. . W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Welsh Guards Band Septet

Friday 20 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


St John's Band (Mossley)

March 15 • We are a friendly, welcoming 4th section band based in Tameside, Greater Manchester. Following our 4th place at the North West regionals, we are looking for a SOLO CORNET player (position negotiable). We rehearse on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.


St John's Band (Mossley)

March 15 • We are a friendly, welcoming 4th section band based in Tameside, Greater Manchester.. . . Following our 4th place at the North West regionals, we are looking for a BBb BASS player.. . . We rehearse on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.


Linthwaite Band

March 14 • We are a welcoming 4th section contesting Band with a vacancy for a kit player. Our calendar is filling up with various contests and engagements to fulfil through the year.


Simon Gresswell


Conductor, adjudicator, tutor, tuba specialist


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd