*
banner

Death of Richard Evans

The death has been announced of conductor Richard Evans

Ruchard Eavns
  The death has been announced of Richard Evans

The death has been announced of Richard Evans, one the most popular conductors of the modern brass band movement. He passed away on Friday 22nd April, aged 87.

His persona was of the entertainer, yet it never hid the deeply ingrained seriousness of his musicianship — one that saw him bring joy to countless brass band audiences as well lead bands to numerous contest successes.

Born into a regimental family his early playing was forged through what was to be a lifelong association with the Leyland Band.

Huge benefit

In 1952 he became a founding member and later, principal cornet, of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain — following, after National Service in the footsteps of his great friend Maurice Murphy whom he also played with at Black Dyke Mills Band.

After graduating from the Royal Northern College of Music he began work as a freelance player, teacher and conductor; an apprenticeship that he later said was of huge benefit to him — from Coppull Subscription Band and Mossley to Brindle and Wigan.

Startling impact

His startling impact on the elite level of banding came in 1975. Whilst conducting Wigan Cecilian Choral Society at a concert he was asked to audition for the role of Musical Director at Wingates Temperance Band.

Three months later they were British Open Champion. It was his first appearance at the contest. He later admitted that he had self-doubts about his ability to conduct the test-piece 'Fireworks' by Elgar Howarth.

No one was in any doubt of his ability thereafter.

The following year he led Wingates to third place at the National Finals — the first of many 'top-six' places at a contest that he was destined never to win.

However, he more than made up for it elsewhere — with bands from Australia to Wales and almost every stop in-between. He had an inexhaustible passion for his work and an unique ability to connect with players and audiences alike.

His persona was of the entertainer, yet it never hid his deeply ingrained seriousness of his musicianship — one that saw him bring joy to countless brass band audiences as well lead bands to numerous contest successes4BR

Leyland Band

Following a short spell at Fairey Engineering Band he was recruited to rebuild the Leyland Vehicles Band with the remit of achieving Championship status within three years. What followed was remarkable — the crowning glory, a second British Open success in 1994.

By then he had also established himself as the ultimate brass band entertainer — the 'Dick the Stick' persona honed to perfection for audiences to savour.

However, it hid a steely determination to succeed — one that saw him claim the Brass in Concert title on a record nine occasions, as well as secure a National title in Norway, top-flight Regional Championship victories in the North West, Yorkshire, West of England and Scotland, win the BBC Band of the Year accolade and claim victories at the All England Masters, Grand Shield, Senior Trophy, Pontins and numerous other entertainment events.

Help

His experience helped bands to success at all levels; from Barton Town to Lancashire Constabulary, and from his first win with Coppull Band in the Third Section in 1967 to his last with Dalmellington at the Senior Trophy in 2017.

From 1993 he was the Musical Director of the National Youth Band of Scotland — later becoming a very proud Conductor Emeritus.

In 1986 he was presented with the Iles Medal and published two volumes of his remarkable career in music, and which candidly revealed a life lived in full.

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    


BlachKLANG

Happy BlechKLANG Christmas

December 4 • You can enjoy a festive concert from Germany beamed into your home later this month.


Ray Farr

International award for Ray Farr

December 4 • Ray Farr has become a recipient of a prestigious BUMA Blaasmuziek Award.


RNCM

Tickets on sale for RNCM International Brass Band Festival

December 3 • You can now book your seats for a weekend of fantastic brass playing at the RNCM in Manchester.


Yorkshire Youth Band

Yorkshire Youth enjoy Cup ties

December 2 • The members of the Yorkshire Youth Brass Band gained further inspiration on their latest get-together by having a big silver pot to keep them company.


Northop Silver Band - Christmas Concert with Kirsty Abbotts

Sunday 3 December • St Eurgain & St Peter, Church Road, Northop CH7 6BQ


Boarshurst Silver Band - Littleborough Band

Sunday 3 December • Boarshurst Band Club. Greenbridge Lane. Greenfield. Oldham OL3 7EW


Garforth Brass - Garforth Community Choir

Wednesday 6 December • St James the Great,. Manston,. Crossgates, . Leeds,. LS15 8JB LS15 8JB


Longridge Band - Christmas Concert

Saturday 9 December • Longridge Civic Hall, Calder Avenue, Longridge, Ribble Valley, Lancashire. PR3 3WD


The Hepworth Band - Championship Brass & Voices for Christmas

Saturday 9 December • Thornhill Parish Church, Dewsbury WF12 0JZ


St Swithuns Brass Band

December 3 • St Swithuns Band are seeking a MUSICAL DIRECTOR. We are a friendly, non-contesting band playing at various local events throughout the year. We are looking for someone who can take the Band forward as our current MD is retiring after 18+ years.


Crewe Brass

December 3 • Crewe Brass are looking for a 2ND HORN to join our highly motivated 3rd section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Crewe Brass

December 3 • Crewe Brass are looking for PERCUSSION players TUNED/KIT to join our highly motivated 3rd section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Alan Duguid

BA (Hons), PGDipMus, PGCE
Conductor, Composer, Adjudicator (ABBA)


               

 © 2023 4barsrest.com Ltd