*
banner

Bandstand return for Black Dyke

Queensbury band to undertake 'Bandstand Tour' as part of their Culture Recovery Fund return

Banstand
  The UK has a rich history of bandstands in town parks and public places

Black Dyke has announced that it is to undertake a 'Bandstand Tour' as part of their Culture Recovery Fund return to performance.

Although current Covid-19 regulations and guidelines will mean that they will provide ensemble performances featuring special arrangements of existing and new repertoire, they will be able to link with community bands for the events.

Links

Speaking about the initiative, Black Dyke Director of Music Prof Nicholas Childs told 4BR: "This is an exciting new venture for the band and one that makes a link not just with the wider musical community, but also to our past, when bandstand concerts and tours were a staple of Black Dyke's summer events.

I'm delighted that we will be able to showcase some great music with the new arrangements being made specially for the series and with other works making a long overdue airing."

He added: "What makes it special though is that we are able to connect with the community bands that form the backbone of our movement, so I hope we get great weather so that people can take the opportunity to once again enjoy live brass band music in wonderful venues."

Victorian desire

The public bandstand (as at Tredegar in south Wales) remains an evocative example of the practical ideals of Victorian social planning, and according to the historian Paul Rabbitts they were the by-product of far-reaching legislation.

From 1833 onwards it led to the creation of public parks and recreation grounds, promenades and pleasure gardens as a means of benefitting the health and well-being of a population increasingly hemmed in by the blight of highly industrialised urban landscapes.

Hundreds were erected with many now regarded as mini-masterpieces protected by heritage legislation all over the country.

What makes it special though is that we are able to connect with the community bands that form the backbone of our movementProf Nicholas Childs

Tour

The tour kicks off in the band's iconic home of Queensbury on Sunday 20th June and culminates in Bournemouth on Saturday 17th July.

The new repertoire arrangements have also been made possible through funding from the Arts Council as part of the Culture Recovery Fund and are available to purchase through the band's website. www.blackdykeband.co.uk

Dates

Sunday 20th June:


Queensbury 12.00pm
With Clifton & Lightcliffe Band
The Piece Hall, Halifax (from 3.00pm)

Saturday 26th June


Lincoln Arboretum (4.00pm)

Sunday 4th July


Ripon Cathedral (from 11.35am)
With Ripon City Brass Band

Harrogate
Valley Gardens Bandstand (from 3.00pm)
With Tewit Youth Band

Saturday 10th July


Oldham Town Centre (from 12.00 noon)
With Delph Band

Barnsley Mandela Gardens (from 2.00pm)
With Barnsley Music Service

Saturday 17th July


Bournemouth
With Boscombe SA Band
11.00am at Fisherman's Walk Bandstand
2.00pm at Pinewalk Bandstand

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    


Winter Gardens, Blackpool

Coverage: North West Regionals Championships

February 23 • Coverage of the 2025 North West Regionals championships from Winter Gardens, Blackpool.


Test Pieces

4BR Area coverage

February 22 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox has confirmed a different approach to coverage of the Regional Championship events.


Blackpool

North West Area line-ups

February 21 • The bands will put their final preparations in place ahead of their performances in Blackpool on Sunday.


John Wallace

Wallace presented with SBBA Outstanding Achievement Award

February 21 • John Wallace CBE has been presented with the 'Outstanding Achievement Award' by the Scottish Brass Band Association.


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal College of Music Sackbut Ensemble

Friday 21 February • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Welsh Guards

Friday 21 February • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Newstead Brass - Midlands Championships Preview Evening

Sunday 23 February • Summit Centre . Kirkby in Ashfield . Nottinghamshire NG17 7LL


Contest: North West Regional Championships

Sunday 23 February • Winter Gardens Complex, Church Street, Blackpool FY1 1HU


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 28 February • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Reading Spring Gardens Brass Band

February 20 • Reading Band still needs LOWER BRASS for the 4th section contest at Stevenage on Saturday 15th March! Rehearsals in Woodley (RG5) on Thursday evenings.


Boarshurst Silver Band

February 17 • Boarshurst Silver Band, NW Championship Section, requires a BBb player, flugel, and front row cornet player. Under MD Jamie Prophet, the band have an ambitious and varied calendar for 2025, including NW Area, Spring Festival and Whit Friday.


Mid Rhondda Band

February 14 • Mid Rhondda Band are looking for the following players : Front Row Cornet, Solo Trombone, Eb Bass, Kit and Tuned Percussionists. The band will be competing in the 3rd Section at the Welsh Area. Contest & concert engagements in the diary for 2025


Michael Bennett

BSc, RNCM (Perf)
Performer, Composer, Arranger, Teacher


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd