*
banner

Sage stuffing of great music...

A festive mixture of star euphonium players, Black Dyke and friends and a special plum pudding from PLC is on offer at Sage Gateshead on 4th December.

Black Dyke
  The concert will feature star performers and stardust music making

If your appetite for great brass band entertainment was whetted at the recent Brass in Concert Championships at Sage Gateshead, then you can enjoy a second helping at the iconic venue with Black Dyke on Sunday 4th December — and with a great festive flavour.

Festive flavour

The Queensbury Band will be joined by local favourites, NASUWT Riverside and Reg Vardy Bands for an afternoon of 'Christmas Spectacular' entertainment (2.00pm).

Not only will the concert feature the euphonium 'Three Tenors' of John Storey, Glenn Van Looy and Daniel Thomas in eagerly anticipated new works by Alan Fernie and Keith Wilkinson, but also the magnificent Verdi overture 'Nabucco'.

The second half points very much towards Christmas though, and will also feature another world premiere in the form of Paul Lovatt-Cooper's latest work, 'Christmas is Coming'.

Brilliant premieres

Speaking to 4BR, Black Dyke's Director of Music, Prof Nicholas Child told 4BR: "We are really looking forward to the concert and bringing two brilliant premieres for everyone to enjoy.

With the World Cup on at the moment the brass band world's own superstar euphonium players will provide virtuoso entertainment every bit as brilliant as Harry Kane, Gareth Bale and Kevin de Bruyne, whilst Paul Lovatt-Cooper has really sprinkled some festive magic with his new work."

With the World Cup brass banding's own superstar euph players will provide virtuoso entertainment every bit as brilliant as Harry Kane, Gareth Bale and Kevin de Bruyne, whilst PLC has sprinkled some festive magic with his new workProf Childs

Christmas tradition

Dedicated to his second daughter Evie, who is celebrating her first Christmas, Paul told 4BR that composing a work for Christmas has become something of a tradition in the Lovatt-Cooper household.

"I started writing a new work for my loved ones for their first Christmas a few years ago — first for my wife, Zoe and then for our first daughter Melody, with each performance premiered by Black Dyke.

This year for Evie's first Christmas, I've composed a concert opener entitled 'Christmas is Coming!' packed with melodies from famous Christmas pieces to get everyone in the right festive mood. I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I enjoyed writing it."

Book a ticket:


https://sagegateshead.com/whats-on/black-dyke-band-2022/#book

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    


Thoresby

Result: 2026 Wetherby March & Hymn Tune

June 15 • Thoresby Colliery takes 'The Drovers' march and hymn tune honours in Wetherby.


Newstead

Result: 2026 East Midlands March & Hymn Tune Contest

June 15 • Newstead Brass lead the march and hymn way to victory at a sunny Harborough.


wITHINGTON

Withington bows out with a Russian flourish

June 15 • The musical partnership between Allan Withington and Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band came to an end in France with a memorable musical flourish.


Alison Childs

Dedicated Childs services marked by Black Dyke Band

June 15 • The recent Black Dyke Brass Festival marked the retirement of administrator Alison Childs.


Regent Hall Concerts - Take 5 Brass Quintet

Friday 12 June • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Sherborne Town Band - Celebrating the Music of Malcolm Bennett

Sunday 14 June • Venue-Mark Village Hall, Vole Road, Mark-TA9 4NY. . TA9 4NY


Barnsley Brass - Black Dyke Band

Thursday 25 June • St Mary's Church. Church Street. Barnsley S70 2AH


Regent Hall Concerts - Junior Guildhall Brass Band

Friday 26 June • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Royal Sackbut Collective

Friday 26 June • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Tintwistle Band

June 15 • We have a vacancy for soprano cornet, and with lots of exciting engagements coming up would love to get this seat filled!. As a second section band,we rehearse every Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our bandroom in Tintwistle under the baton of MD Jim Henson.


Tintwistle Band

June 15 • We have a vacancy for soprano cornet, and with lots of exciting engagements coming up would love to get this seat filled!. As a second section band,we rehearse every Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our bandroom in Tintwistle under the baton of MD Jim Henson.


Cambrian Brass

June 14 • 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.


Paul Andrews


Conductor, Band trainer, Adjudicator, Instrument Repairer - Brasstoff


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd