*
banner

From the Archives: Black Dyke Band on The Open University

You can once enjoy an academic insight into the development of Black Dyke Mills Band and the banding movement — courtesy of The Open University and Prof Trevor Herbert.

Black Dyke Band
  Black Dyke Band has a history like no other in the banding world

There is the opportunity to once again enjoy a 1985 Open University television programme that looked at the wider musical and social development of the brass banding movement through a focus on the history of the John Foster & Son Black Dyke Mills Band.

1985 broadcast

Presented by Prof Trevor Herbert, it was first broadcast in 1985, it features an open rehearsal performance led by Major Peter Parkes of Edward Gregson's 'Dances & Arias' which was being prepared for their forthcoming appearance at the 1984 National Championships of Great Britain.

Prof Herbert has long been recognised as a leading academic authority on the brass banding movement, its history and wider social and cultural relevance.

He is the author of a number of outstanding publications — including the seminal 'The British Brass Band: A Musical and Social History' and 'Popular Music ion Britain: The Brass Band Movement in the 19th and 20th Century'. He was also a co-author of 'The Cambridge Encyclopaedia of Brass Instruments'.

To enjoy:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTCG_NVt9lE

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    


Norwegian Championships

Final musical touches being put in their Bergen place

February 4 • 80 will be putting their own-choice and set-work pieces under final scrutiny ahead of the Norwegian National Championships this weekend.


Jamie Smith

Smith looking forward to Japanese tour

February 4 • Grimethorpe Colliery Band principal cornet Jamie Smith will head to Japan for a performance tour this Easter.


East Midlands

New march and hymn contest to fill gap in East Midlands

February 4 • A brand new event will take on 13th June at the Braybrooke Brewery and Taproom, North Northamptonshire.


gLYN AND hLEN

Busy January enjoyment for Williams duo

February 4 • Glyn and Helen Williams have enjoyed a busy start to 2026.


Dobcross Silver Band - Whitburn Band

Sunday 1 February • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 6 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Oompah Brass XXL

Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Welwyn Garden City Band

February 5 • We are a friendly & sociable Second Section Band. We have vacancies for a FRONT ROW CORNET player and PERCUSSIONISTS. Our MD is Will Douglas and we rehearse in Welwyn Garden City on Sunday evenings from 7.00-9.00pm.


Waltham St. Lawrence Silver Band

February 4 • Our inclusive non-contesting community band, based near Maidenhead, Bracknell and Reading, has vacancies for: . . Solo Cornet. Soprano Cornet. 2/3 Cornet.


Waltham St. Lawrence Silver Band

February 4 • Our non-contesting community band, based near Maidenhead, Bracknell and Reading, seeks:. . Solo Euphonium . 1st Horn . 2nd Baritone .


Mark Wilkinson


Cornet Soloist, Teacher, Adjudicator, Conductor


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd