*
banner

Places open for Black Dyke Festival

If you want to enjoy a full day of tuition, rehearsal and masterclasses all rounded off by the chance to play with Black Dyke — then make sure you sign up now...

bLACK dYKE
 

The reigning European and Yorkshire Regional Champion is to host the 'Black Dyke Brass Festival' at Leeds Town Hall on Sunday 5th June.

Specialised

As part of a full day of educational training and top class music making, the festival will feature a number of specialised workshops (see below) where delegates will work alongside Black Dyke stars to help improve their own playing and rehearsal techniques.

In addition, the day will be rounded off with a Gala Concert featuring the newly crowned Yorkshire champion, boosted by delegates who will have the unique opportunity of playing with the world's most famous band.

Conductors Workshop

An added bonus this year will be will be a special 'Conductors Workshop' led by Black Dyke's Director Music, Professor Nicholas Childs.

This will give delegates the opportunity to work on all aspects of conducting technique on works that will encompass different levels of ability — from Ray Farr's 'Adventures in Brass' and Peter Graham's 'Shine as the Light' to the trickery of Derek Bourgeois' 'Serenade'.

The Gala Concert which takes place at 3.00pm will provide the climax to the day's activities.

World premieres

The first half will feature Black Dyke showcasing two world premieres — with Edward Gregson's imposing 'Cornet Concerto' featuring soloist Richard Marshall, and a new work by Paul Lovatt-Cooper entitled, 'The Final Journey'.

The second half will feature the Yorkshire Youth Band who will be celebrating their 10th anniversary, whilst the musical climax will see the massed ranks of seven bands — Black Dyke, Yorkshire Youth, Armthorpe Elmfield, Blackley, Delph, Kirton and Trentham raise the roof with Wagner's 'Procession to the Minster' as well as 'Pomp & Circumstance' , '76 Trombones' and 'The Dambusters March'.

Tickets

Tickets available from Leeds Town Hall Box Office Tel: 0113 224 3801:
£14, £12, £11, £10

Workshops: Cornet, Tenor Horn and Lower Brass Spotlights

These workshops are open to players of all ages and standards, with parts rehearsed for the massed bands items with Black Dyke.

Cornet Spotlight with Richard Marshall:
All aspects are covered in the workshops include warm-ups, general technique and sight-reading session.

Richard told 4BR: "Last year we had over 50 delegates and I was over the moon with the response from the players."

Tenor Horn Spotlight with Jonathan Bates:
In addition to the wide ranging help with skills sets there will also be the chace to meet and ask questions of horn legend Sandy Smith.

Jonny told 4BR: "Sandy is a wonderful player and musician and I am sure the delegates will receive a real insight About the art of tenor horn playing."

Lower Brass Spotlight
Gary Curtin told 4BR: "Tuba, euphonium and baritone players will cover ensemble playing and solo performing. We will also chat about preparing a piece, breaking it down and rebuilding it, which should help players during contest and solo preparation."

An added bonus this year will be will be a special 'Conductors Workshop' led by Black Dyke's Director Music, Professor Nicholas Childs4BR

Registration:

Registration on the day commences at 9.00am with the proceedings starting at 9.30am.

The cost for the whole day workshops is just £5 and you can register by emailing respectively to

Conductors — David Hirst: secblackdykeband@btinternet.com
Cornets — Richard Marshall: Richard.B.Marshall@btinternet.com
Horns — Jonathan Bates: jonnythehorn@hotmail.com.
Lower Brass — Gary Curtin: gcurtin@gmail.com

When contacting please include:
Name: Band Email Address

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    


Youth Brass 2000

Results: 2026 National Youth Championships of Great Britain

March 29 • There were competitive titles for Youth Brass 2000, St Austell Youth and Elland Silver as well as plenty of great non-competitive performances to enjoy in Birmingham.


Youth Champs

Birmingham hosts National Youth Championships

March 28 • If you are anywhere near Birmingham today, get along and enjoy plenty of fantastic brass band performers.


Withington

Withington returns to Grimethorpe

March 28 • Allan Withington will lead Grimethorpe Colliery at the British Open and Albert Hall National Final, as contesting connection with Carlton Main comes to an end.


Adams

Trombone stars add to Adams artist line-up

March 28 • Tom Challinor and Jonathan Pippen have become Adams Artists.


The Hepworth Band - Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra

Saturday 18 April • Huddersfield Town Hall HD1 2TA


Regent Brass - Woodbridge Excelsior Band and Russell Gray

Saturday 9 May • The Salvation Army (Regent Hall), Oxford Street, London W1C 2DJ


Contest: Whit Friday March Contests

Friday 29 May • Saddleworth & Tameside OL3


The Hepworth Band - Brassband Burgermusik Luzern

Saturday 30 May • Dewsbury Minster, Vicarage Road, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire WF12 8DD


Regent Brass - Living Lines

Sunday 5 July • St Saviour's, Pimlico, St.George's Square, Pimlico, London SW1V 3QW


St John's Band (Mossley)

March 29 • BBb BASS player required following our 4th place at the North West regionals. We are a friendly, welcoming 4th section band based in Tameside, Greater Manchester and we rehearse on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in Mossley.


St John's Band (Mossley)

March 29 • SOLO CORNET players required (position negotiable) following our 4th place at the North West regionals. We are a friendly, welcoming 4th section band based in Tameside, Greater Manchester and we rehearse on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in Mossley.


Hucknall and Linby Mining Community Brass Band

March 29 • Bb AND Eb BASSES WANTED!. We are a friendly 1st section band based in Nottingham - rehearsal Thursday Evening. We have an exciting year planned with a visit to Whit Friday and a place secured at the nationals following our success at the midlands area!


Stuart Black

BA (Hons) Music
Conductor, Teacher, Flugel soloist


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd