*
banner

Dexter speeds up his horn playing

11 year old Dexter Speed is managing to fit in an amazing amount of playing as he adds the National Children's Brass Band of Great Britain to his rehearsal regime.

Dexter Speed
  Dexter Speed will now add the National Childrens Band to his playing portfolio

11 year old tenor horn player Dexter Speed has been invited to play with the National Children's Brass Band of Great Britain.

Amazingly, Dexter finds time to play with the Dereham Band and East Coast Brass, as well as being a member of the Watton Band, Oxfordshire Youth Brass Band, Grimethorpe Youth Band, and the North East Midlands Brass Band Association Youth Band!

He appeared in his first contest with Oxfordshire Youth Brass Band (then known as Blewbury Youth Band) in 2017 and took part in both the London & Southern Counties regional contest and the National Finals with Great Yarmouth Band in 2018.

Dexter has earned his opportunity to play with the National Children's Band through a lot of hard work and talentPaul Speed

Hard work and talent

His dad, and MD of East Coast Brass, Paul Speed told 4BR: "Dexter has earned his opportunity to play with the National Children's Band through a lot of hard work and talent.

He's become a valued member of the East Coast Brass horn section and recently performed his first solo with Dereham Band at their Christmas concert.

We're all very proud of him, and hope that this opportunity will give him the chance to develop his playing career further as he looks to emulate his banding hero Sheona Wade."

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    


EBBA Linz

European own-choice works revealed for Linz

April 17 • The own-choice selections from youth to elite contenders in Linz have been revealed — with excitement to go with the intrigue guaranteed in spades...


British Open

Livestream broadcasts brought in-house for Spring Festival and British Open

April 16 • The 2026 Spring Festival and British Open Championships will be broadcast in a new link between the organisers and Red Shell Productions.


NYBBGB

NYBBGB ready to add to plaudits in Manchester

April 16 • The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain will head to the RNCM in Manchester this weekend.


BBE Young Leaders

Brass Bands England to help new youth leaders

April 16 • A course aimed at enhancing specialised skills to inspire the next generation of brass band players is launched with increased capacity by BBE.


Hathersage Band - Hathersage Village Spring Concert

Saturday 18 April • Hathersage Methodist Church . Main Road. Hathersage S32 1BB


Regent Hall Concerts - Central Band of the Royal Air Force

Friday 1 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 3 May • St Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street SE10 9BJ


Regent Hall Concerts - FiveBy5 Trumpet Quintet

Tuesday 5 May • Charlton House and Gardens. Charlton Road, . London. . SE7 8RE


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 8 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Waterbeach Brass

April 16 • Waterbeach Brass are seeking a talented and confident solo (tutti) cornet player to join our friendly and ambitious band. We offer a welcoming and social environment with a diverse and challenging musical repertoire playing at regular concerts and contests


Chinnor Silver

April 15 • With the dust settling after the areas we are looking for Bb BASS & PERCUSSION players to join us as we look to consolidate as a 1st Section Band.. Varied but realistic diary for the coming year and possible foreign trip in 2027. Rehearsals on a Wednesday


Linthwaite Band

April 15 • We are a welcoming 4th section band with a vacancy for a kit player. Our calendar is filling up with various contests and engagements to fulfil through the year.


Rob Nesbitt

BSc, PG Cert. Ed.
Cartoonist , illustrator, writer


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd