*
banner

Black Dyke

Conductors: Dr Nicholas & Dr Robert Childs
Uppermill Civic Hall
Saturday 23rd February

Black DykeBlack Dyke's welcome visit to the heartland of Whit Friday country saw a large audience brave the bitterly cold conditions to sit snugly in anticipation of hearing the final pre-Area concert appearance of the reigning European, English National and Yorkshire champions.

Brasso

They left a couple of hours later with a spring in their step and a buzz about their opinions that Dyke are in formidable form ahead of St George’s Hall:  They were so polished the concert should have been sponsored by ’Brasso’.

The conducting team of Nicholas & Robert Childs split the leadership duties between them, with the Artistic Director of Music, bookending the evening's entertainment. 

Accelerator

Dyke sprung into action with an impressive account of 'Queensbury' that included some dextrous cornet playing from Richard Marshall and a magnificent last stanza rallentando which gave Nicholas Childs the opportunity to whip up the final bars as if putting the foot on a Ferrari accelerator pedal.

With Bradford on the horizon, 'Harmony Music' was given an impressive run out, with the MD drawing out the technical detail of the score without losing the sense of loquacious lyricism. 

All the main soloists enjoyed their moment in the spotlight, whilst there was a sneak preview of what could be an ending to raise the roof of St George’s Hall on Sunday night.

Tender

Richard Marshall lovingly seduced the audience in 'Rusalka's Song to the Moon', played with tenderness and pathos, before Dr Robert Childs took the baton to lead a beautifully descriptive account of Dan Price's 'Sunrise over Blue Ridge'.

Soprano soloist, Paul Duffy was on rollicking form in 'When the Saints' before the first half concluded with three movements of Rodney Newton's colourful meander through bucolic Bulgaria and Romania in 'Echoes of the East'.

Highly descriptive, the opening 'Village Wedding' was full of humour, the central 'Twilight Romance' was played with a delightful innocence and the closing 'Gypsy Festival' was full of rambunctious mayhem.

Pinned back

With the CD stand a hive of activity during the interval, the audience returned to be literally pinned back in their seats courtesy of PLC's high octane cosmic fizzer, 'Enter the Galaxies', whilst the popular 'Soloist Showcase' featured a trio of performers in top-top form. 

Gary Curtin delivered a delightful 'Herdmaiden Dance', the gorgeous baritone sound of Katrina Marzella illuminated 'Donegal Bay', and Joseph Cook popped an enjoyable lollipop in the audiences open mouths with 'Czardas'. 

Pleasant chill

'Spooktacular' sent a pleasant chill of a different kind down the spines with its cleverly realised themes of magic and horror before the audience was giving a rousing account of the 'Battle of Trafalgar' to formally close the evening. 

As an encore, Dr Nicholas Childs took leave of the stage to allow the band to deliver its 'Glenn Miller' set - played with the type of polish the old bandleader, who was born 99 years ago on March 1st, would have thoroughly approved of.

On this form, Dyke will be one heck of a band to beat come Sunday night.

Malcolm Wood

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    



The Hepworth Band - Hepworth Band New Year Celebration Concert

Sunday 26 January • Christ Church, New Mill, Holmfirth HD97ER


Dobcross Silver Band - Hammonds Band

Sunday 26 January • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015. N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 8 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Haverhill Silver Band - Concert in Clare Church

Saturday 8 February • St Peter and St Paul Church, Clare, Suffolk CO10 8NY


The Harrogate Band

January 22 • The Harrogate Band are looking for a front row cornet player to join them at the 1st Section North of England area contest and beyond! With a great bandroom, a wide range of engagments and a committed team, we'd love to see you.


Mereside Brass

January 21 • MERESIDE BRASS are excited to be starting the New Year with a new MD! To complete our happiness, we would love to welcome a FLUGEL player and a PERCUSSIONIST to join our team. We are a friendly 4th Section band with a sensible calendar of jobs and socials


West Yorkshire Brass

January 20 • We are a friendly and welcoming non-competing band based in the Bradford area of West Yorkshire. We play at various events in Yorkshire throughout the year. We have vacancies for Eb and BBb basses. Instruments provided if required


David W. Ashworth

RSCM, ABBA Exec Member, NABBC PRO.
Conductor, Band Trainer and Adjudicator


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd