*
banner

Derwent's Xmas express

Derwent Brass has had a busy December.

derwent
 

Derwent Brass has been busy over the last month or so.

The season commenced with them playing in the Great Hall of Derby Assembly rooms, to a 1000+ capacity audience along with the Derby Hospitals Choir in an entertaining concert that was compered by TV's Heartbeat star Steve Blakeley. The concert was recorded to be broadcast on Hospital radio on Christmas day.

So popular was this event that rows of extra seats had to be installed before the concert and many people turned away disappointed having been greeted by the 'Sold Out' signDerwent Brass

Entertaining

The very next evening the band went along to the Landau Forte Theatre in Derby to join forces with the Dalesmen Male Voice Choir for another Charity Christmas concert to support the Friends of Nightingale MacMillan Unit.

So popular was this event that rows of extra seats had to be installed before the concert and many people turned away disappointed having been greeted by the 'Sold Out' sign.

Standing ovation

A week later the band traveled to Grimsby to join the Grimsby Ladies Choir for a traditional Christmas concert. The band were following in the illustrious footsteps of previous performers such as Brighouse & Rastrick, Grimethorpe & Black Dyke at this event and so were delighted to receive a very warm welcome and standing ovation from the audience.

Final appearance

As always the band's final Christmas concert was in the St Helen's Church at Etwall. The band have become firm friends of the Etwall folk over recent years and once again the concert was sold out as long ago as October!

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    


mUSIC

Pressure pays off as music still on offer at Cardiff University

May 28 • Music degrees will still be on offer at Cardiff University although under new plans to revise entry targets and content.


John Wallace

Wallace honoured by International Trumpet Guild

May 28 • John Wallace CBE follows in the musical footsteps of Maurice Andre, Philip Jones, Miles Davis and Maurice Murphy with his latest accolade.


BBE Seaside

Oh we do like to play beside the seaside...

May 28 • BBE launches its 'Brass at the Seaside' initiative to help bands reach out to new audiences.


Blechklang

Communal approach works well in Jena

May 28 • A dynamic approach to inclusive training is continuing to pay rich dividends in Germany.


Ocean Brass - Segalula A Capella

Saturday 31 May • Jubilee Hall, Little Shore Lane, Bishop's Waltham SO32 1ED


Otley Brass Association - Joanne Dexter, Soprano

Saturday 31 May • The Bridge United Reformed Church. Bridge Street. Otley, LS21 1RW LS21 1RW


Contest: Whit Friday March Contests

Friday 13 June • Saddleworth & Tameside OL3


Hebden Bridge Brass Band - The 13th annual Hebden Bridge March Contest

Sunday 15 June • St George's Square, Hebden Bridge HX7 8ET


The Portsmouth Grammar School - Concert by The Black Dyke Band

Saturday 28 June • St Marys Church, Fratton, Portsmouth PO15PA PO15PA


Ocean Brass

May 29 • Ocean Brass are inviting applications for a baritone player (seat negotiable), as we prepare for an exciting schedule of concerts and contests in the second section through 2025 and beyond!


Ocean Brass

May 29 • Ocean Brass are inviting applications for a soprano cornet player, as we prepare for an exciting schedule of concerts and contests in the second section through 2025 and beyond!


The Marple Band

May 28 • Cornet vacancies( positions negotiable) to join our fabulous cornet section. Also Baritone, Bb Bass, Tuned Percussion vacancies. We are a friendly ambitious 2nd Section band, continuing an exciting new musical journey with our MD Nick Birch.


Morgan Griffiths

Dip. Performance
Conductor, Peripatetic Music Teacher, Lower brass specialist


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd