*
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    


Alan Jenkins

Death of Alan Jenkins

June 11 • The death has been announced of the hugely respected former orchestral tuba player and journalist Alan Jenkins.


BBE Foundations

Last call for future leaders

June 11 • If you want to be an inspirational lead for your band organisation then why not sign up for this year's course from BBE.


Brexit

EU work dries up for UK musicians

June 11 • A new report finds that more than a quarter of UK based musicians have lost all work opportunities in the EU since 2021.


100 tubas

Forget 76 trombones — its 100 tubas that are needed in Scotland

June 11 • Red Note Ensemble is hoping that they will be joined by a legion of low brass for a rare performance of Anthony Braxton's 'Composition No. 19'.


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 9 • Tintwistle Band are looking for a 2nd horn player to help complete the team. . We rehearse Monday and Thursday 8-10pm under the baton of our MD Jim Henson, at our own bandroom on Old Road in Tintwistle, and perform a variety of concerts all year round.


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


Alwyn Green

LRAM, LTCL
Conductor, composer, arranger, adjudicator, teacher and soloist


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd