*
banner

New march honours Bolsover stalwart

A new march from the pen of composer Gavin Somerset, honouring the memory of Bolsover Summer School stalwart David Morris has been given its world premiere — and you can buy it for your band too.

Bolsover Castle
  The music has been given the title of Bolsover Castle

Following its premiere performance at the recent Bolsover International Summer School, the specially commissioned march composition, 'Bolsover Castle', is now available for bands to purchase from Pennine Music.

The funds raised from sales will go towards a new bursary fund being set up by the Summer School.

Valued member

Composed by Gavin Somerset, the march was commissioned by Summer School organiser Carole Hirst in memory of David Morris, who was a valued member of the Bolsover International Brass Band Summer School and Bolsover Festival of Brass team.

David sadly passed away suddenly in October 2017 and has been greatly missed.

All bands

The march is aimed to be well within the reach of the majority of bands, with Gavin telling 4BR: "It was an honour to be asked to compose 'Bolsover Castle' in memory of David, who I've known since I was young and played with him at Chapeltown Silver Band.

I wanted to create a march that was traditional in its roots, enjoyable and melodic, whilst paying tribute to one of David's favourite pieces — ELO's, 'Mr. Blue Sky', which you can hear influences of.

I'm thrilled that it will aid the launch of a new bursary fund being set up by the Summer School in his memory."

Fun and fresh

Meanwhile, Summer School Musical Director Steven Mead added: "'Bolsover Castle' is a really super march — traditional in structure, but so much fun and fresh to play. It's brisk and has a 6/8 swagger and I hope that lots of bands will perform it. It will be a great addition to their concert repertoire.

We were honoured to premiere it at the Bolsover International Summer School this year."

Gavin's generous gesture will be a great legacy to Dave who was a founder member and key member of the BIBBSS and Bolsover Festival of Brass teamCarol Hirst — Bolsover International Summer School

Signature tune

Explaining about the bursary fund being created, Carole Hirst added: "The delegates have been thrilled with the commission which will be used for future courses as our signature tune.

The delegates also came up with the idea to ask Gavin if he would make a donation from each set of music sold which would go into a 'Dave Morris Bursary Fund' to aid young people that need financial support to attend the summer school.

Gavin's generous gesture will be a great legacy to Dave who was a founder member and key member of the BIBBSS and Bolsover Festival of Brass team."

To purchase

The march is now available to purchase from: www.penninemusic.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    


Rochdale contest

Results: 2026 Rochdale Contest

October 25 • Own choice victories for Unite the Union, Dobcross Silver, Littleborough Brass and St. John's (Mossley) as Kidlington book their Spring Festival place.


udi

Report & Results: 2026 Dutch National Championships

October 23 • Brass Band Schoonhoven reclaims National title as there are victories for Chr. Brass Band Excelsior, Brass Band De Bazuin B, Koperensemble de Waldsang and UDI Brass Band Oosternijkerk in Utrecht.


Black Dyke

Varley heads from Hammonds to Queensbury

October 23 • Philip Varley joins Black Dyke Band on solo cornet from Yorkshire rivals.


Dutch National Championships

Countdown to Dutch National Championships

October 21 • Go to our special live page of coverage from the 2026 Dutch National Championships which start at the TivoliVredenburg in Utrecht this afternoon.


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the RAF Regiment

Friday 23 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Redbridge Brass Band

Saturday 24 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


The Hepworth Band - Aireborough Rotary Club Annual Charity Concert

Sunday 25 October • Yeadon Town Hall, High Street, Yeadon LS19 7PP


Dobcross Silver Band - Tintwistle Band

Sunday 25 October • Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane Dobcross. Oldham OL3 5AD


Regent Hall Concerts - Cliff Hardie Big Band

Thursday 29 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


St John's Band (Mossley)

October 25 • After a brilliant 1st place at Rochdale Contest, we are looking for an Eb BASS player to join our friendly 4th section band based in Mossley, Tameside.


St John's Band (Mossley)

October 25 • After a brilliant 1st place at Rochdale Contest, we are looking for a Bb BASS player to join our friendly 4th section band based in Mossley, Tameside.


Linthwaite Band

October 24 • We are currently looking for a kit player to help complete our team. We are a 4th section contesting Band, with a busy period coming up, and would like to fill the position as soon as possible.


John Durrant

MA LLCM TD CertEd (Dist)
Conductor, Band Trainer, Composer, Trumpet and Cornet Soloist, Arranger, Adjudicator


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd