Radio 2 has announced a number of schedule changes to enhance their commitment to specialist music.

New slot and format

It means that Frank Renton’s popular ‘Listen to the Band’ slot will now be aired on a Wednesday instead of a Thursday.

From April, it will also have a new magazine style format which will include interviews with major players, both here and abroad.

It will also aim to keep listeners informed of all the major brass related news, CD releases, run in depth features on composers and bands, and seek out those in the public eye who love band music and will share with the listener the part the part it’s played in their lives.

From April, it will also have a new magazine style format which will include interviews with major players, both here and abroad4BR

Genres

Bob Shennan, Controller, Radio 2 and 6 Music commented: "Specialist music is at the heart of Radio 2’s music output. And the change to the scheduling of three of our longstanding shows, along with the network’s fantastic range of blues, country, folk, jazz, soul, not to mention concerts, exemplifies our commitment to bringing these specialist genres to our audience."

Listeners will also be able to catch all their favourite shows through the BBC Radio 2 website at bbc.co.uk/radio2.

6th April:

Frank Renton presents a banding slice of Americana featuring Rick Mizell of Brass Band of Central Florida and the Disney Corporation, with music from the fabulous Venezulan Brass Ensemble recorded at this year's Festival of Brass In Manchester.