The last few months have presented the Black Dyke Band with memories to last a lifetime. From major concert appearances and festival performances to the continuation of cherished brass band traditions, the past few months have once again demonstrated the remarkable breadth of the band’s activities both at home and further afield. There are far too many highlights to mention in detail, but here are just a few…
The summer began with a memorable sequence of concerts that took the band from Yorkshire to Lincolnshire. A return to Rochdale Town Hall saw the band perform in one of the country’s most magnificent civic buildings, continuing an association that stretches back more than 150 years. A capacity audience enjoyed a varied programme that showcased the band’s versatility, ranging from spectacular film music to major classical repertoire and outstanding solo performances from across the ranks. The following weekend, the band travelled to St Botolph’s Church, Boston, affectionately known as Boston Stump, for its first appearance there in more than two decades. Once again, the audience responded warmly to a programme that demonstrated the full range of colours and musical styles available to the modern brass band.
Before the busy month of May came to a conclusion, attention inevitably turned towards one of the most important dates in the brass band calendar. Whit Friday remains a unique event within the musical world, combining competition, tradition and community spirit in equal measure. Performing at contests across Saddleworth, the band delivered a series of consistently high-quality performances, recording three first places and three second places across the evening’s contests. While the revised aggregate scoring system ultimately placed the band as overall runners-up, finishing in the top two at every contest reflected the consistency and musical standards that continue to underpin the organisation. More importantly, Whit Friday once again provided the opportunity to share music with thousands of people and celebrate a tradition that remains central to the brass band movement.
July brought an equally busy schedule. The band travelled south to bring the 2026 JAM on the Marsh Festival to its conclusion with a performance in St Nicholas Church, New Romney. The concert offered a carefully curated programme ranging from the ceremonial grandeur of Richard Strauss to the contemporary voice of Paul Mealor, alongside major solo features from Tom Hutchinson, Phoebe Mallinson and Gareth Hand. Audience reaction was overwhelmingly positive, with festival organisers describing the concert as one of the finest presented during the festival’s twenty-six-year history. It served as an ideal prelude to an even bigger occasion which was waiting just around the corner.
Just one week later, the band took its place on one of the world’s most famous musical stages with its appearance at the BBC Proms in the Royal Albert Hall. Few engagements carry such significance, not only for Black Dyke Band but for brass banding as a whole. The Proms remains one of the world’s most prestigious music festivals, offering a unique opportunity to showcase the artistry, versatility and musical sophistication of the brass band medium to a national and international audience.
Performing before a near-capacity Royal Albert Hall and a worldwide audience through BBC Radio 3, the band presented an ambitious and wide-ranging programme under the direction of Professor Nicholas Childs. The concert featured Judith Bingham’s The Stars Above, The Earth Below, Gustav Holst’s A Moorside Suite, Edward Gregson’s Symphony in Two Movements, Philip Wilby’s The New Jerusalem and Peter Graham’s Force of Nature, performed by guest soloist David Childs.
The programme demonstrated the extraordinary breadth of the modern brass band repertoire, ranging from lyrical and reflective moments to music of immense technical and emotional power. It also reinforced the position of the brass band as a serious and respected artistic medium capable of sharing the world’s greatest concert stages.
David Childs’ performance of Force of Nature received widespread acclaim, whilst critics and audience members alike praised the band’s exceptional musicality, precision and dynamic control throughout the evening. The response from fellow musicians, conductors, composers and listeners was overwhelmingly positive, with many describing the concert as a landmark occasion for brass banding.
The Proms appearance was far more than simply another concert engagement. For many supporters it represented a powerful statement about the continuing relevance and artistic ambition of the brass band movement. Messages of congratulations arrived from across the musical world and beyond, recognising both the quality of the performance and the significance of seeing brass band music presented so successfully on such a prestigious international platform.
The evening served as a reminder of Black Dyke’s unique position within the brass band world. As one of its leading musical ambassadors, the band once again demonstrated its ability not only to preserve a proud tradition but also to champion the future of brass band music at the very highest artistic level.
Away from the concert platform, the summer has also brought changes within the wider Black Dyke family. Following twenty years of dedicated service, Alison Childs announced her decision to step down as Administrator of the Yorkshire Youth Brass Band. During her tenure she has played a pivotal role in supporting and encouraging hundreds of young musicians, helping to establish the organisation as one of the most respected youth ensembles in the country. Her contribution to youth music-making and brass band development has been immense and the entire organisation remains grateful for her commitment and hard work over two decades.
The band was also delighted to welcome the return of David Dixon to its percussion section. Having enjoyed a distinguished career with many leading bands and successes at the highest level of competition, David’s return to Queensbury twenty-six years after his first spell with the band represents another exciting addition to the current line-up.
Please watch this space for more reflections and commentary on the band’s Autumn experiences in Southwell Cathedral, Lucerne, Belgium and the major championships that took place at the Symphony Hall in Birmingham and of course the Royal Albert Hall, but for now the band celebrates a summer season filled with memorable music-making, enthusiastic audiences and significant achievements. The future promises fresh challenges and new opportunities, but the experiences of the past few months have once again reinforced the qualities that have defined the band throughout its long history: musical excellence, commitment, friendship and a shared passion for bringing great music to audiences everywhere.
The band would like to thank all supporters, sponsors, volunteers and audiences whose continued encouragement makes these activities possible and looks forward to welcoming many familiar faces at the exciting events that lie ahead.
Commentary: David Nicholson
Photography: John Stirzaker
