*
banner

Live brass band drama to unfold at home

The world premiere of 'Keli' by award winning composer Martin Green and featuring Whitburn Band will be live broadcast later today — so why not add to the weekend's brass band drama yourself.

Keli
  The drama focusses on the troubled life of talented horn player Keli

There is some wonderful livestream brass band entertainment to enjoy later today, as newly crowned Scottish champion Whitburn performs in a new audio drama from the pen of Martin Green, the Ivor Novello Award-winning composer.

'Keli' stars actors Anna Russell-Martin and Tam Dean Burn and is directed and co-created by Wils Wilson and is the fictional story of a young horn player and her tempestuous existence.

It will also feature the premiere of Split the Air, a new work written for the PRS New Music Biennial by Martin and orchestrated by Benjamin Woodgates.

Time and place

The performance will take place later today at the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh on (Sunday, 3rd April at 5.00pm).

Tickets: https://livetoyourlivingroom.com/events/martin-green-and-whitburn-brass-band-a-preview-of-keli-live-at-the-lyceum/

Compelling story

Martin has spent the last year immersing himself in brass banding, surrounded by the communities, the competition and the legacy of coal, and told 4BR: "The compelling story is a celebration of what can be created when drama and music combine to tell stories inspired by real people from towns across Scotland's central belt."

He recently presented the critically acclaimed three-part BBC Radio 4 documentary, 'Love Spit and Valve Oil'. In addition he has also created a new work for the medium entitled, 'Split the Air'.

New audience

Talking about their involvement, Whitburn's President Charlie Farren, added: "We are delighted to be part of this fantastic work. It takes brass bands in a new direction, and reached out to a new audience."

Tickets are available on the Lyceum's website. Alongside this, the event will also be livestreamed by online gig promoter, Live to Your Living Room, which will open it up to audiences around the world.

The performance will take place later today at the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh on (Sunday, 3rd April at 5.00pm)4BR

Preview:


https://lyceum.org.uk/whats-on/production/1804

The livestream option will provide a high-quality viewing experience as well as the chance to take part in a backstage Q&A with Martin himself to find out more about his work.

The performance is recommended for audiences aged 16 and over.

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    


Scotland

Scottish banding battles for success

June 1 • A recent article in one of Scotland's leading newspapers has highlighted both the successes and challenges faced by its banding organisations.


Cross

Death of David Banwell

June 1 • The death has been announced of David Banwell, the widely respected former player, conductor and member of the 4BR team.


Whit Friday

Whitsuntide celebration on Radio 4

May 31 • The celebration of Whitsuntide in Saddleworth has been marked on Radio 4 — accompanied by brass band music


Saddleworth

Report & Results: 2026 Saddleworth & Oldham District Whit Friday

May 31 • The official results from each venue have now been announced with confirmation that Brighouse & Rastrick are crowned champions as Milnrow take local honours and Tewit Silver Youth take the youth prize.


The Hepworth Band - Brassband Burgermusik Luzern

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


Dobcross Silver Band - Unite the Union Band

Sunday 31 May • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Regent Hall Concerts - Ithaca Brass

Tuesday 2 June • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Fulham Brass Band - Summer Concert

Friday 5 June • St Dionis Church, Parsons Green SW6 4UH


Yorkshire Imperial - Roger Webster & The Colne Valley Male Voice Choir

Saturday 6 June • St George's Hall, Bridge Street, Bradford BD1 1JT


Cambrian Brass

June 1 • We are always happy to hear from anyone interested in joining our friendly, supportive band - whether you are returning to banding, looking for a new challenge, or moving to Aberystwyth for university.


East London Brass

June 1 • Solo Cornet : fresh off the back of our promotion to the Grand Shield, ELB are on the look out for a solo cornet player to complement our existing section. The band is ambitious and has an exciting second half of the year ahead.


Tintwistle Band

May 28 • Tintwistle Band are looking for 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, under the baton of MD Jim Henson, and perform a variety of concerts all year round.


Andrew White

MA(Ed Man), B Ed (Hons), BBCM, ADNCB, PGCE, Cert Ed
Conductor, Arranger, Adjudicator & Educationist


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd