*
banner

Black Dyke Band

Perth Festival of the Arts
Conductor: Prof Nicholas Childs
Perth Concert Hall
Sunday May 29th



Black Dyke’s late replacement appearance to close the Perth Festival provided a welcome return to Scotland’s ‘Fair City’ for the Queensbury band for the first time since the 2014 European Championships.

MD, Prof Nicholas Childs has made several successful appearances since - most notably with Whitburn. His enjoyment on the night was marked, especially as the band (with a few Whitbun deps in the ranks) performed with admirable polish – from the opening ‘Queensbury’  march to the encore of ‘Highland Cathedral’.

Torrent of virtuosity

His relaxed demeanour certainly didn’t mean a loosening of the leash as the MD exhorted a rendition of ‘Le Corsaire’  that balanced a torrent of virtuosity with lyrical poise.

Richard Marshall’s glorious ‘Melody of the Heart’ solo was also balanced by the grooved thrills of ‘Trumpet Blues and Cantabile’. A suite from Sir Karl Jenkins’ ‘The Armed Man’  followed – a telling inclusion of emotional depth aided by the revised band layout. Peter Graham’s spirited ‘To Boldy Go’  drew the first half to an uplifting conclusion. 

Glittering

Fredrick Schjelderup’s fizzy ‘A Fantasy of Joy’  duly lived up to its title to get the second half off to a bang, before Brett Baker rolled back the years with a glittering rendition of Arthur Pryor’s ‘Thoughts of Love’. 

The solo showcase continued with Siobhan Bates, with a lyrical ‘Upon Green Vales’  of notable breadth and Dan Thomas with a flamboyant ‘Ziguenerweisen’ – the pyrotechnics lit with commanding ease.

The MD then led the ensemble sections through the cinematic familiarity of ‘Black Dyke at the Movies’ set – from Harry Potter to James Bond and Jack Sparrow. With the pulse of the music in overdrive, the energy was maintained with the finale of PLC’s ‘Fire in the Blood’.
 
‘Highland Cathedral’  kept the Saltire flying.

Hopefully it won’t take another eight years before they return. 

Mark Good

Support us for less than a cup of coffee...

4BR wants to ensure that the brass band movement remains vibrant and relevant. We also want to be able to question, challenge and critically examine those who run and play in it, producing high quality journalism that informs as well as entertains our readers.

So if like us you value a strong, independent perspective on the brass band world - then why not consider becoming a supporter and help make our future and that of a burgeoning brass band movement more secure.

So one less cappuccino then?

Support us    



Brass Bands England - Brass Band Week

Saturday 5 July • Nation wide


Besses Boys' Band - Besses Boys' Band Summer Concert

Saturday 5 July • The Derby High School, Radcliffe Rd, Bury BL9 9NH


Putney and Wimbledon Brass Band - Summer Concert

Sunday 6 July • Community Church Putney, Werter Road. SW15 2LL


Longridge Band - Anniversary Concert

Saturday 12 July • Longridge Civic Hall, 1 Calder Avenue, Longridge, Preston PR3 3HT


Haverhill Silver Band - Proms Concert - St Ives

Saturday 12 July • Hill Rise Park, St Ives PE27 6SP


Haverhill Silver Band

July 3 • Haverhill Silver Band (championship section) seeks a PRINCIPAL CORNET. This is a superb opportunity to lead East Anglia's premier brass band on the concert and contest stage (including the Senior Cup and Whit Friday).


Chinnor Silver

July 3 • Our COMMUNITY BAND meet fortnightly on a Monday morning (next rehearsal 7th) and we welcome any players who want an extra blow.. We require no allegiance just come and enjoy the friendly blow with coffee and cake thrown in.(Its all free)


Hathersage Band

July 2 • FRONT ROW CORNET (position negotiable). Hathersage Brass Band is a thriving, non-contesting community band. We enjoy our music making and have a good gig schedule. Are you the right person to join our happy band?


James Garlick

BMus (Hons), QTS
Conductor, Band Trainer, Adjudicator, Tutor


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd