*
banner

Silk sounds on the airwaves

Silk Brass (AstraZeneca)set for a big night with Frankie on the Beeb...

Silk Brass
 

Silk Brass (AstraZeneca) are to hit the radio airwaves later this year after they recorded a session last weekend for the BBC Radio 2 programme Listen to the Band.

Decade of Silk

Regular listeners of the popular Friday evening show will have already heard the presenter, Frank Renton, playing tracks from the Band’s new CD – 'A Decade of Silk', but they were thrilled to receive an invitation to be guests on the show and have a programme devoted to their music.

Great honour

Jim Cant, Silk’s Conductor told 4BR:"This is probably one of the biggest events in the band’s history. It’s a great honour to be asked to record a programme for the BBC, as the majority of bands never get that opportunity."

The recording took place in studio 7 at the BBC’s Oxford Road studios in Manchester.

This is probably one of the biggest events in the band’s history. It’s a great honour to be asked to record a programme for the BBC, as the majority of bands never get that opportunity

Inspiring experience

Jim went on to say; "It can be quite an awe inspiring experience, the acoustics are excellent and all the recording equipment can be a little intimidating, but the Band performed extremely well – I’m very proud of them. We’re all really looking forward to hearing the finished article on the broadcast."

Curry Mile

After two and a half hours of hard work, interspersed with a few breaks, the band had recorded the seven tracks for the programme and retired en masse for some well earned refreshment at a local watering hole, followed by a visit to Manchester’s famous “Curry Mile”, where they virtually took over one restaurant as the waiters tried to accommodate a table for 35!!

The date of Silk’s show will be confirmed in the near future and details will be posted on the Band’s new look website www.silkbrass.com

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    


podcast

Podcast: Whisky High Notes: Episode 1

March 26 • Composer agent and whisky lover, Dr. Naomi Belshaw is joined by Sam McShane, Artistic Director of Kings Place to talk about whisky and classical music...


BrookWright

BrookWright Music: New Jerusalem (Kenneth Downie)

March 26 • A upbeat march to put a concert audience in an immediate good mood from Kenneth Downie.


Guildhall

Guildhall Solo Competition entries now open

March 26 • If you are a brass or percussion player aged 9-18 and Grade 3 and above, them why not enjoy yourself in competition and in finding out more about your playing skills...


Tine Thing Helseth

Best Classical Recording Award for Tine Thing Helseth

March 26 • The Norwegian trumpet soloist has won a prestigious Spellemannprisen for Best Classical Recording for her latest release, 'Echoes'.


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards

Thursday 26 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London. . W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Funny Bones Trombone Octet

Friday 27 March • Oompah Brass XXL. Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Brass Bands England - 2026 National Youth Brass Band Championships

Saturday 28 March • King Edward's School, Edgbaston Park Road, Birmingham B15 2UA


The Hepworth Band - Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra

Saturday 18 April • Huddersfield Town Hall HD1 2TA


Contest: Whit Friday March Contests

Friday 29 May • Saddleworth & Tameside OL3


Chinnor Silver

March 27 • We are a friendly progressive 1st Section band who need a couple of seats filled.. Bb BASS and PERCUSSIONIST are on our wanted list so if you are looking for a new banding challenge get in contact. We rehearse on Wednesdays and have good realistic diary.


Newport Borough Brass Band

March 27 • After a respectable 4th place in the 2nd Section at the Welsh Area Contest, we are looking for FRONT ROW CORNET (position negotiable) 1st BARITONE, 2ND TROMBONE and Bb BASS players to come and join us on our journey under the baton of Martin McHale BEM.


East London Brass

March 27 • PERCUSSION - ELB are the look out for a percussionist to complement our existing section. We have a sensible diary of contests and concerts and are ambitious to keep progressing as a band.


Alan Fernie

DRSAM, Dip.NCOS
Arranger, composer, adjudicator, conductor


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd