*
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    


Cory tour

Cory set to tour Canada and USA later this year

June 5 • The Welsh champion will embark on a major eight day tour to North America in October.


Foundations

Closing date looms for Future Leaders

June 5 • If you want your band to benefit from future leaders of confidence, skill and inspiration, then you need to get your application in soon.


York Early Music Festival

Fanfare welcomes at York Early Music Festival

June 5 • A brand new fanfare written by Yorkshire composer Sam Meredith will be played during the opening weekend by the German renaissance ensemble (hanse) Pfeyffery.


North Shore

President hopes to build on momentum in NZ

June 5 • Following a successful National Championships, New Zealand banding must build on the momentum created according to its President.


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


Ascot Brass - Vanguard Quartet from "Royal Harmonics"

Saturday 6 June • St Michael and All Angels Church St Michaels Green, Grenfell Road Beaconsfield HP9 2BP


Sherborne Town Band - Friends

Sunday 7 June • Sherborne, Dorset-Pageant Gardens DT9 3NP


Regent Hall Concerts - Take 5 Brass Quintet

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


Crewe Brass

June 5 • Crewe Brass are looking for PERCUSSION PLAYERS (TUNED and KIT) to join our highly motivated 4th 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.


Glossop Old Band

June 5 • Our friendly second section band are looking for a BB bass player to join us for contests, concerts and exciting new projects. Glossop Old Band is situated between Manchester and Sheffield and rich in history


Dodworth Colliery MW Brass Band

June 4 • BACK ROW CORNET 2nd/3rd cornet. . NEMBBA contest entered for 15 November. LBBA contest entered for 22 November. . Concert schedule planned in advance. Planned breaks .


John Durrant

MA LLCM TD CertEd (Dist)
Conductor, Band Trainer, Composer, Trumpet and Cornet Soloist, Arranger, Adjudicator


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd