*
banner

BBC reports on Black Dyke's inspirational lead to youngsters

Pupils in a local school are being inspired by Black Dyke as music education funding comes under ever increasing pressure.

Dyjke festival
  The Black Dyke Festival sees the band link up with local bands

Black Dyke is playing its part inspiring the next generation of young Yorkshire players according to a report on the front page of the BBC website today (Tuesday 8th May)

In a feature about the ongoing nationwide pressure on the provision of music education in schools, BBC Education reporter Judith Burns features the pupils of the Foxhill Primary School in Queensbury in Bradford — home to the most famous brass band in the world.

Bold decision

It highlights the bold decision of the Head teacher Sally Hey to lead the way a decade ago in creating a brass band in the school — one that now its section at the recent Harrogate Competitive Festival for Music, Speech & Drama.

It also shed a light on the incredible work of Garry Walls, who undertakes unpaid teaching work at the school and leads the evening rehearsals that see families come together to play, and the connection with Black Dyke that has already seen the youngtsers perform with the Yorkshire Champion.

All the members of Black Dyke Band just started out like us. And we could be like them if we keep pushing forwardFoxhill Primary School pupil

Amazing results

Both Sally and Garry talk of the amazing results achieved by having over 80 pupils learning instruments — and of their fear that further 'standstill' budget settlements over the next three years could seriously impact on their work.

And as a youngster tells the BBC reporter: "All the members of Black Dyke Band just started out like us. And we could be like them if we keep pushing forward."

Go to: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-43871069

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    


British Open

British Open live-stream

August 24 • The 2026 British Open Championship will be live-streamed around the banding globe — so make sure you don't miss a note of the action.


Jeju

Result: 2026 Jeju International Brass & Percussion Competition

August 24 • French euphonium player Tewinn Spiess claims the bi-annual Jeju International Euphonium title.


New South Wales

Results: 2026 New South Wales State Championships

August 24 • Willoughby City Band regains the State title with section wins for Warringah Concert Brass, Newcastle PCYC Band, Waratah Brass Academy, Willoughby Youth Brass and Warringah Youth Brass.


NYBBGB

National Youth ambassadors find new audience in lost oasis

August 24 • The 40 strong Ambassador Band of the NYBBGB entertained the crowds in a lost oasis in the heart of London.


Regent Hall Concerts - Cross Bones Trombone Quintet

Friday 21 August • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Sherborne Town Band - Free-Music in the park

Sunday 23 August • Sherborne, Dorset-Pageant Gardens DT9 3NP


Sherborne Town Band - Free-Music in the park

Sunday 13 September • Sherborne, Dorset-Pageant Gardens DT9 3NP


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards

Thursday 17 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Duchess of Edinburgh String Orchestra

Friday 18 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Wantage Silver Band

August 22 • Wantage Concert Brass (1st Section) are looking for a SOLO HORN and PERCUSSIONIST. Under the direction of our dynamic and inspiring MD Daniel Hall. This year we achieved 3rd at the L&SC regionals. We rehearse Tue & Fri 7:30pm- 9:30pm in our own bandhall


Ashington Colliery Band

August 20 • Front Row Cornet & Tenor Trombone. We're a friendly, ambitious Second Section band based in South East Northumberland just north of Blyth. We rehearse Tuesdays & Thursdays, 19:30-21:30, and transport can be provided depending on location.


Putney and Wimbledon Brass Band

August 18 • Putney and Wimbledon Band are looking for a percussionist, ideally tune although the ability to play an anvil is an absolute must! We play exciting music with lots of percussion so there's plenty to keep you occupied.


Ronnie MacNiven

MMus GRSM LRAM
Trombonist, composer, conductor


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd