*
banner

Derwent's Xmas express

Derwent Brass has had a busy December.

derwent
 

Derwent Brass has been busy over the last month or so.

The season commenced with them playing in the Great Hall of Derby Assembly rooms, to a 1000+ capacity audience along with the Derby Hospitals Choir in an entertaining concert that was compered by TV's Heartbeat star Steve Blakeley. The concert was recorded to be broadcast on Hospital radio on Christmas day.

So popular was this event that rows of extra seats had to be installed before the concert and many people turned away disappointed having been greeted by the 'Sold Out' signDerwent Brass

Entertaining

The very next evening the band went along to the Landau Forte Theatre in Derby to join forces with the Dalesmen Male Voice Choir for another Charity Christmas concert to support the Friends of Nightingale MacMillan Unit.

So popular was this event that rows of extra seats had to be installed before the concert and many people turned away disappointed having been greeted by the 'Sold Out' sign.

Standing ovation

A week later the band traveled to Grimsby to join the Grimsby Ladies Choir for a traditional Christmas concert. The band were following in the illustrious footsteps of previous performers such as Brighouse & Rastrick, Grimethorpe & Black Dyke at this event and so were delighted to receive a very warm welcome and standing ovation from the audience.

Final appearance

As always the band's final Christmas concert was in the St Helen's Church at Etwall. The band have become firm friends of the Etwall folk over recent years and once again the concert was sold out as long ago as October!

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    


Plumridge

Plumridge to become new principal cornet at Grimethorpe

May 15 • Hannah Plumridge is to become the new principal cornet of Grimethorpe Colliery Band as she ends a decade with Cory on a personal high.


Time to Shine

Still time to shine with NYBBGB

May 15 • There are still a few places to sign up in London, Manchester and Birmingham to help you with your audition skills — and its all free.


Elgar

Marzella-Wheeler to lead Elgar International Brass Band Winter School

May 15 • The MD of the Brass in Concert champion will lead the delegates at this year's Elgar International Brass Band Winter School.


North Shore

New Zealand journal reflects on National success

May 15 • The success of the recent National Championships in Wellington forms the bulk of the current issue of 'Mouthpiece' — the on-line journal of the Brass Band Association of New Zealand.


Harlow Brass Band - SPRING CONCERT - AN ANIMATION SENSATION

Saturday 16 May • St Andrew's Methodist Church. The Stow. Harlow. CM20 3AF


Sherborne Town Band - Free-Music in the park

Sunday 17 May • Dorchester- Park Bandstand DT1 1RG


Newstead Brass - Mansfield MVC - Brass and Voices

Sunday 24 May • Forest Town Arena. Clipstone Road West,. Mansfield NG19 0EE


Contest: Whit Friday March Contests

Friday 29 May • Saddleworth & Tameside OL3


The Hepworth Band - Brassband Burgermusik Luzern

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


Delph Band

May 15 • We are seeking an enthusiastic and musically skilled Associate Conductor to lead and develop our band alongside our current Musical Director Phil Goodwin. . Rehearsals are Mondays and Wednesdays, 8-10pm at Delph Band Club.


Tintwistle Band

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


Chinnor Silver

May 11 • We are looking for PERCUSSIONISTS to join us as we head into an exciting period for the band.Good and varied diary ahead.. We rehearse on Wednesdays in our own bandroom (so none of that tedious setting up and down)


Stuart Black

BA (Hons) Music
Conductor, Teacher, Flugel soloist


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd