*
banner

Taylor celebration for half century of excellence

The banding movement has paid tribute to Brian Taylor of the KNDS Fairey Band at a special concert at the RNCM in Manchester

fAIREY
  Brian was presented with a special decanter to mark the occasion

Half a century of outstanding musical excellence and dedication was celebrated at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester on the weekend, as family, friends and brass band supporters enjoyed a concert in honour of KNDS Fairey Band cornet player Brian Taylor.

Fittingly the band which he joined as a 15-year-old in 1974 rose to lead a standing ovation as he walked to the stage to sit in its ranks under the batons of conductors Phil Chalk and James Gourlay.

Prior to the event, Lancashire Youth Band whom Brian has enjoyed a long association gave a mini concert under MD Neil Raisbeck to welcome guests.

Gourlay flies in

Such has been his contribution to the Stockport band that James Gourlay flew in from Pittsburgh to share the conducting duties with MD Phil Chalk. Brian was the principal cornet when Jim led Fairey to its last British Open success in 1998.

Also making the journey from Dorset were Tony and Margaret Greenham, now in their late 80s. For over 40 years, the band has given a concert in Beaminster hosted by them, forming a close friendship with Brian over the years.

They were delighted to present him with a specially engraved decanter after Mark Peacock had led the audience through a banding 'This is Your Life' of his remarkable career.

Major victories

This has seen four British Open and National Championship wins, a brace of Granada Band of the Year and All England Masters victories, a European title, Brass in Concert, English National, BBC Best of Brass and ten North West Area successes amongst others. No one could quite add up quite how many Whit Friday contests successes he has enjoyed.

Nearly all came under some of the most famous conductors in the banding world — from Walter Hargreaves and Major Peter Parkes to James Gourlay and Allan Withington.

Respect

Such has been the respect he has been held in that many 'rival' players have become lifelong friends — including Alan Morrison, who it was revealed lost out to Brian in the audition to claim the principal cornet seat at the band.

Alan returned once more to play cornet alongside his great friend for the event, whilst others were also noted, including the late Ray Peacock, a man Brian dubbed as his 'second father'.

Such has been his contribution to the Stockport band that James Gourlay flew in from Pittsburgh to share the conducting duties with MD Phil Chalk4BR

Music

The music chosen for the concert also reflected the great contest successes, including the overture 'Le Carnival Romain' on which Brian was principal cornet under Walter Hargreaves when the then Fairey Engineering Band won the 1979 British Open in memorable fashion.

At the close of the concert, current and former players continued the celebrations in the RNCM bar before moving on to other hostelries as the stories and reminiscing continued long into the night.

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    


New Zealand

Enjoy the action from New Zealand

July 4 • You can tune in and enjoy the action from the world's oldest National Championships being held in Christchurch.


Music for isolation

Svalbard isolation inspires new CD release

July 3 • The forthcoming CD release from the acclaimed tuba and saxophone duo of Gideon Jukes and Rie Takeuchi is inspired by one of the world's most northern settlements.


Tone Halo

Tone Halo makes sound impression on global customers

July 3 • CalderpipsMusic's 'Tone Halo' makes a mark on the brass accessory market place.


Brass Band week

Nationwide span for Brass Band Week

July 3 • You can enjoy bands in the north, south, east and west of the country for the Brass Band Week of performances.


Brass Bands England - Brass Band Week

Saturday 5 July • Nation wide


Besses Boys' Band - Besses Boys' Band Summer Concert

Saturday 5 July • The Derby High School, Radcliffe Rd, Bury BL9 9NH


Putney and Wimbledon Brass Band - Summer Concert

Sunday 6 July • Community Church Putney, Werter Road. SW15 2LL


Longridge Band - Anniversary Concert

Saturday 12 July • Longridge Civic Hall, 1 Calder Avenue, Longridge, Preston PR3 3HT


Haverhill Silver Band - Proms Concert - St Ives

Saturday 12 July • Hill Rise Park, St Ives PE27 6SP


Concert Brass Poynton

July 4 • Concert Brass Poynton: No Contesting - Not a learners Band. Rehearse on Wednesday Evenings between 8.00 to 10.00pm (short comfort break). We seek a front row cornet and a Tenor Horn and A Tenor Trombone and Bass Trom too..


Ocean Brass

July 4 • Ocean Brass are inviting applications for a kit player, as we prepare for an exciting schedule of concerts and contests in the second section through 2025 and beyond! We rehearse Thursdays 8pm-10pm, Banister Park Bowls Club, Southampton, SO50 9HT


Haverhill Silver Band

July 3 • Haverhill Silver Band (championship section) seeks a PRINCIPAL CORNET. This is a superb opportunity to lead East Anglia's premier brass band on the concert and contest stage (including the Senior Cup and Whit Friday).


Chris King

MBA, BMus(Hons), LRSM, AoBBA
Conductor, Arranger, Adjudicator, Compere, Band Trainer


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd