*
banner

Innovative musical partnership to bring Childs Play to life

A ground breaking musical collaboration is set to bring the importance of educational play in children's lives to a worldwide audience — starting in Shirebrook.

Childs Play
 

A ground breaking multi-partnership musical collaboration that will celebrate the history as well as the modern day importance of 'Childs Play' will be premiered in October in North Derbyshire.

Musical catalyst

Led by Bolsover District Council and Shirebrook Town Council and based in the Shirebrook area, the innovative project has brought together arts bodies, town and district councils, education providers, film makers, private home developers, composers, broadcasters and brass bands.

The various bodies and people have been brought together to provide a musical catalyst to inform ideas behind the development of a state of the art play area within the local community.

Soundtrack

The 10 month long project, made possible through funding by Arts Council England through 'Grants for Arts', Bolsover District Council, Shirebrook Town Council and First Art, has seen composer Paul Lovatt-Cooper work with pupils from the Shirebrook Academy on the brass band and choral soundtrack for the 14 minute film, which will be recorded by Black Dyke Band and performed under the direction of Prof Nicholas Childs.

It will also feature narration by Frank Renton, presenter of BBC Radio 2 'Listen to the Band' programme, and will explore a family friendly time-line history of many well known as well as very local nursery rhymes and games from the Victorian era to the present time — all underlined by the importance they provide in a child's enjoyment of educational play.

World premiere

The project will culminate in a live world premiere held in Shirebrook on October 15th and will include a live internet broadcast of the event, where Black Dyke, led by Prof Childs, will bring together additional the musical strands provided by Shirebrook Miners Welfare Band and a host of primary school choirs to join Frank Renton for a performance that will provide the local community with a musical celebration of the innovative partnership — and its lasting legacy.

it will explore a family friendly time-line history of many well known as well as very local nursery rhymes and games from the Victorian era to the present time — narrated by Frank Renton4BR

Legacy

Not only will the children of the area enjoy the benefit of a brilliant new 'Childs Play' area for many years to come, but it is hoped that the composition itself can be further developed to inspire other communities as well as being used as a bespoke brass band composition.

See the trailer

A great taster trailer has already been produced to showcase the project, its music and family friendly approach

Go to: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5W9WVusQ8rw

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    


Brass in Concert

New adjudication system being considered for Brass in Concert

May 17 • Adjudication rankings of equal value to be considered in potential revamp of judging at the Brass in Concert Championships later this year.


winter and Storheim

Norwegian brass band talent spotlighted for Maestro direction

May 17 • Eline Storheim and Samuel Winter have been chosen to be part of a two year conducting course.


wobplay

New releases set for Wobplay

May 17 • New CD releases from Black Dyke Band, Birmingham Citadel and Bone-afide alongside the Elgar International Festival will soon be able to be enjoyed on the digital platform.


Lostock

Tynan departs at Lostock Hall

May 17 • The brief but successful musical partnership between Lostock Hall Band and conductor Tommy Tynan has come to an end.


Harlow Brass Band - SPRING CONCERT - AN ANIMATION SENSATION

Saturday 16 May • St Andrew's Methodist Church. The Stow. Harlow. CM20 3AF


Sherborne Town Band - Free-Music in the park

Sunday 17 May • Dorchester- Park Bandstand DT1 1RG


Newstead Brass - Mansfield MVC - Brass and Voices

Sunday 24 May • Forest Town Arena. Clipstone Road West,. Mansfield NG19 0EE


Contest: Whit Friday March Contests

Friday 29 May • Saddleworth & Tameside OL3


The Hepworth Band - Brassband Burgermusik Luzern

Saturday 30 May • Dewsbury Minster, Vicarage Road, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire WF12 8DD


Cambrian Brass

May 16 • We're always happy to hear from anyone interested in joining a friendly and supportive band, whether you're returning to banding or looking for a new challenge.


Delph Band

May 15 • We are seeking an enthusiastic and musically skilled Associate Conductor to lead and develop our band alongside our current Musical Director Phil Goodwin. . Rehearsals are Mondays and Wednesdays, 8-10pm at Delph Band Club.


Tintwistle Band

May 15 • We have a vacancy for a soprano cornet, and with lots of exciting engagements coming up we would love to get this seat filled!. We rehearse every Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our own bandroom in Tintwistle, under the baton of our superb MD, Jim Henson.


Duncan Wilson

Bmus(hons), LGSMD
Conductor, Adjudicator (member AoBBA)


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd