*
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    


Norwegian Championships

Final musical touches being put in their Bergen place

February 4 • 80 will be putting their own-choice and set-work pieces under final scrutiny ahead of the Norwegian National Championships this weekend.


Jamie Smith

Smith looking forward to Japanese tour

February 4 • Grimethorpe Colliery Band principal cornet Jamie Smith will head to Japan for a performance tour this Easter.


East Midlands

New march and hymn contest to fill gap in East Midlands

February 4 • A brand new event will take on 13th June at the Braybrooke Brewery and Taproom, North Northamptonshire.


gLYN AND hLEN

Busy January enjoyment for Williams duo

February 4 • Glyn and Helen Williams have enjoyed a busy start to 2026.


Dobcross Silver Band - Whitburn Band

Sunday 1 February • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 6 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Oompah Brass XXL

Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Welwyn Garden City Band

February 5 • We are a friendly & sociable Second Section Band. We have vacancies for a FRONT ROW CORNET player and PERCUSSIONISTS. Our MD is Will Douglas and we rehearse in Welwyn Garden City on Sunday evenings from 7.00-9.00pm.


Waltham St. Lawrence Silver Band

February 4 • Our inclusive non-contesting community band, based near Maidenhead, Bracknell and Reading, has vacancies for: . . Solo Cornet. Soprano Cornet. 2/3 Cornet.


Waltham St. Lawrence Silver Band

February 4 • Our non-contesting community band, based near Maidenhead, Bracknell and Reading, seeks:. . Solo Euphonium . 1st Horn . 2nd Baritone .


Martin Heartfield

GGSM, ARCM, PGCE
Conductor, Adjudicator, Educationalist


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd