*
banner

Black Dyke opens doors for Virtual Brass Day

Brass players across the world can join Prof Nicholas Childs and Queensbury stars for a great Virtual Brass Day in March.

Black Dyke
  The virtual day offers the chance to work alongside friends across the world

Black Dyke Band has announced details of its forthcoming Virtual Brass Day.

The Queensbury band will welcome brass players from all corners of the globe to the day-long event on Saturday 27th March.

Inspirational challenges

Led by Director of Music, Prof Nicholas Childs, it's aimed at providing players of Grade 5 level (or equivalent) a high intensity series of inspirational musical challenges balanced to offer the opportunity to improve all aspects of your playing alongside like minded brass band friends across the world.

Joining Prof Childs will be a star studded line-up of Black Dyke tutors — Richard Marshall, Connor Lennon, Siobhan Bates, Brett Baker, Daniel Thomas, Matthew Routley and Gareth Hand.

Packed day

The Virtual Brass Day will be packed with masterclass workshops, soloist spotlight, sectional and full band rehearsals alongside plenty of fun with a quiz and the opportunity to enjoy highlights from one of Black Dyke's memorable historic concerts.

Workshops including 'Motivation & Practice Techniques in the challenges of a pandemic', 'Tips from the Principals', and 'Performance Technique'.
The Black Dyke Virtual Brass Day costs just £35 per person and included is a full Zoom recording of the day.

Looking forward

Speaking to 4BR, Prof Childs said: "We're really looking forward to putting on this exciting event. The aim is to join together to work hard with fun to improve your overall playing.

There is something for everyone and its a wonderful opportunity to find out more about the Black Dyke ethos of making the most of your talents.

We've a remarkable base of fans and supporters across the world and this is our chance to offer them the opportunity to be part of the Black Dyke family."

There is something for everyone and its a wonderful opportunity to find out more about the Black Dyke ethos of making the most of your talentsProf Nicholas Childs

Book your place

To book your place contact Course Administrator
Alison Childs alison4horn@btinternet.com Mob: +44 (0)7802 771735

Saturday 27th March:


Day Schedule (All times are UK GMT)

8.45am: Welcome and Registration
9.00am: Introductions and warm-up (Richard Marshall)
9.15am: Sectionals No.1 with tutors

10.15am: Morning Break

10.30am: Full Band Rehearsal No.1 with Prof. Nick
11.30 am: Motivation & Practice Techniques with Brett Baker
12.00 noon: Musical Quiz with Matthew Routley

12.30pm — 1.15pm: Lunch whilst enjoying the British Bandsman 125th Anniversary concert

1.15pm: Sectionals No.2 with tutors
2.00pm: Full Band rehearsal No.2 with Prof. Nick
2.45pm: Improving your Technique with Richard Marshall
3.15pm: Soloist Spotlight: Daniel Thomas, Siobhan Bates, Brett Baker, Richard Marshall

3.45pm: Break

4.00pm: Meet the Legends — Q & A session
4.30pm: Virtual Concert Performance
5.00pm: Good-byes

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    


Fleetwood

Fleetwood back on demand

May 1 • You can enjoy all 32 performances from the recent Fleetwood Contest on demand


British Open

Live stream broadcast from Spring Festival

May 1 • All the action from the 104th British Open Spring Festival is to be live-stream broadcast this weekend.


Brass in Concert

Brass in Concert draws confirmed

May 1 • The draws for the 2026 Brass in Concert and Youth Brass in Concert Championships have been confirmed after being made in Linz.


Spring Festival

Final preparations in place for Spring Festival

April 30 • Bands and organisers are putting the final parts in place ahead of the Spring Festival in Birmingham.


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 3 May • St Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street SE10 9BJ


Regent Hall Concerts - FiveBy5 Trumpet Quintet

Tuesday 5 May • Charlton House and Gardens. Charlton Road, . London. . SE7 8RE


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 8 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Wardle Anderson Brass Band - Wardle Junior Blast

Friday 8 May • Milnrow Parish Church, 16 Westward Ho, Milnrow, Rochdale OL16 3JX


Regent Brass - Woodbridge Excelsior Band and Russell Gray

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


Wellington Silver Band (Somerset)

May 2 • Bb Basses. With Colin Dance now appointed as our MD and our other Bb Bass leaving due to work commitments, we have openings for two Bb basses. We are a friendly community (4th section?) band with a variety of gigs including our own Proms in the Park.


Wellington Silver Band (Somerset)

May 2 • Tuned Percussionist. We are looking for a tuned percussionist to join our friendly community (4th section?) band. We have a variety of gigs including our own Proms in the park, charity concerts, fetes, (maybe contesting). Other brass players welcome.


Tintwistle Band

April 28 • Tintwistle Band are looking for a Soprano and front row cornet players to help complete our team.. We rehearse Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our own bandroom on Old Road in Tintwistle, and perform a variety of concerts all year round.


Dave Collins

BA (Hons) (Dunelm) I, FSCO
Composer and Arranger


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd