*
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    


Hannah Peel

Radio: Brass Banding with Hannah Peel

April 25 • The first episode of the much anticipated new Radio 3 brass band series starts on Sunday with a musical trip to Norway...


Music

Own choice works revealed for Stavanger

April 25 • A wide ranging selection of major test-piece works will be performed in Stavanger.


NYBBGB

National Youth Band sells out in Halifax

April 25 • The National Youth Band of Great Britain will be joined by the British Army Brass Band for a sell out concert in Halifax this weekend.


bRADOFRD

Bradford boost for Black Dyke Band

April 25 • The Yorkshire champion's involvement in Bradford's celebration as the UK City of Culture on Radio 2 has gained widespread plaudits.


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


Newstead Brass - St George's Day Celebration

Sunday 27 April • St Wilfrid's Church, Church Street, Kirkby In Ashfield NG17 8LA


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 4 May • St Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street SE10 9BJ


Contest: European Brass Band Championshiips

Friday 9 May • Konzerthaus, SandvigÃ¥ 1, 4007 Stavanger, Norway


Dobcross Silver Band

April 24 • Great opportunity for a PERCUSSIONIST to join this already talented section in what is already a band with a full brass section. We are looking to enhance our percussion section as we prepare for Nationals in September . Enjoyable playing and social band!


Hathersage Band

April 24 • SECOND TROMBONE. Hathersage Brass Band is a thriving non-contesting community band. We enjoy making music and have a comprehensive gig schedule. Are you the right person to join our happy band?


Chinnor Silver

April 22 • Our COMMUNITY BAND are recommencing rehearsals on 28th Monday at 11am in our bandroom and we would love you to join us.. We welcome players of all abilities who just fancy a friendly fun blow with cake and coffee thrown in.. Its all free so join us.


Ian Porthouse


Cornet soloist, clinician, conductor and adjudicator


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd