*
banner

Wilkinson steps down from regular banding commitments

Dr Keith Wilkinson has announced that he is to retire form his regular banding commitments.

kEITH
  Dr Keith Wilkinson has announced his retirement from regular banding commitments

4BR has been informed that Dr Keith M Wilkinson has taken the decision to retire from regular brass band commitments.

It brings to a close a major part of his conducting career in the USA where he and his family have worked for nearly 30 years, although he also enjoyed a hugely successful brass banding career before his move across the Atlantic.

The announcement was made following the most recent Christmas Concert of Dublin Metro Brass.

Midlands to Mid west

First as a euphonium player with the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, followed by becoming Bandmaster of Ashton-Under-Lyne Salvation Army Band and Derby Central SA Band.

He entered the contesting world of banding in 1976, first with Teversal Colliery Band, and then through the invitation of Geoffrey Brand with the GUS Band. There he enjoyed great success — winning a trio of Midlands Regional Championship wins and twice becoming the televised BBC 'Best of Brass' champion.

In 1986 he took over at William Davis Band winning a further six Midlands Regional Championships, the Grand Shield and the Edinburgh International Festival.

His freelance career saw his enjoy considerable success with the likes of Newtongrange Band, whom he led to the 1991 Scottish Championship title.

It brings to a close a major part of his conducting career in the USA where he and his family have worked for nearly 30 years4BR

Western Reserve

Keith was invited to become a Music Director with The Salvation Army in USA in 1996 and, shortly after his arrival, Brass Band of The Western Reserve was formed, a band he led with distinction until 2021.

He has directed several other bands in USA and Canada and a particular success was with St Louis Band who were North American First Section champions in 2001 and Chapel Brass which won the North American Third Section National Championships in 2013 and 2015.

In recent years he has assisted several bands, most recently Dublin Metro Brass.

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    


Gregson and Bliss

Gregson and Bliss to challenge National Finalists

March 30 • Significant composer anniversaries will be marked at London and Cheltenham this year.


Youth Brass 2000

Report & Results: 2025 National Youth Championships of Great Britain

March 30 • Youth Brass 2000 reclaims the Championship honours with Shepherd Youth Group taking the Performance title in Hull.


National Youth Champs

Hull ready for National Youth Championships

March 28 • There is a packed day of music making to enjoy at Hymers College in Hull on Saturday with a record field of bands and players taking to the stage.


Breet and Keith

Baker and Wilkinson renew Atlantic connection

March 28 • A 30 year musical friendship has been reconnected between Brett Baker and Dr Keith Wilkinson.


Hathersage Band - Hathersage Village Spring Concert

Saturday 5 April • Hathersage Methodist Church, Main Road, Hathersage S32 1BB


Bilton Silver Rugby Band - Bilton Silver at the Musicals

Saturday 5 April • St Andrew's Church, Rugby CV21 3PT


Rushden Town Band - Hope Spring Concert

Saturday 5 April • Hope Methodist Church, Linnets Lane, Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire NN10 8DE


Regent Hall Concerts - The Central Band of the Royal Air Force

Friday 25 April • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London. . W1C2DJ


Newstead Brass - Under Gaia

Saturday 26 April • Mansfield Palace Theatre. Leeming Street . Mansfield. Nottinghamshire NG18 1NG


Simon Langton Brass

April 1 • Due to forced retirement - Simon Langton Brass (Conductor Keith Demetriou Twyman) has a vacancy for an experienced back row cornet player. Position is negotiable as is a willingness to share your experience with our next generation of cornet players!


Ibstock Brick Brass

April 1 • Midlands Area Champions IBB have an opening for a full-time Tuba player (position negotiable) . . Ambitious and enjoying a varied concert/contest program, IBB are looking forward to the third section finals 2025. Rehearsals Mon/Thu in Coalville, M1 J22


Ibstock Brick Brass

April 1 • Midlands Area Champions IBB have an opening for an experienced percussionist. . . Ambitious and enjoying a varied concert/contest program, we are looking forward to the third section finals 2025. Rehearsals Mon/Thu in Coalville, close to M1 J22


Steve Pritchard-Jones

FTCL LTCL LDBBA DipMusEd GMus QTS NPQH
Conductor, Adjudicator, Teacher


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd