Published Jul 6th, 2021
Time to Read 3 minute

To celebrate a year on from the launch of the Cultural Recovery Grant, Black Dyke Band would like to share some highlights from what has been a truly eventful year.

With the support of the Arts Council and the Cultural Recovery Grant, Black Dyke Band launched its first-ever online brass day. Musicians from the UK and around the world zoomed in for an inspirational day of masterclasses, discussions with legendary players, and some incredible performances that spanned the globe.

The band has also created a series of progressive tutorials from beginner to advanced for a range of instruments. Each lesson is introduced by the band’s Musical Director Professor Nicholas Childs and delivered by one of the band’s principal players, and these lessons are now available through the band’s website www.blackdykeband.co.uk

Many bands from all over the country have also benefited from ‘virtual bandroom visits’ from Black Dyke’s MD Professor Childs. He regaled them with tales from the history of Black Dyke, and he took part in question and answer sessions. He also encouraged them to ‘keep the flame burning’ through the long periods of isolation ready for the day when we can all return to rehearsals and performances.

With the easing of lockdown restrictions, Black Dyke has been able to return to rehearsals and performances that the Cultural Recovery Fund has helped facilitate through our ‘Bandstand Tour’. Throughout June, a small ensemble from the band has been able to bring some live music to very appreciative audiences in Queensbury, Halifax, Scunthorpe, Lincoln, Ripon and Harrogate. We invited several local community bands to join us, Clifton & Lightcliffe Band, Ripon City Band and Tewit Youth Band. As we move into July, we look forward to more performances in Delph, Barnsley (10th July) and Bournemouth (17th July). Delph Band and Barnsley Music Service will join us on 10th July and Boscombe Salvation Army Band on the 17th July. 

As well as the Bandroom visits, Black Dyke have also commissioned twelve

new arrangements for small groups, so whilst full band rehearsals have not always been possible with COVID restrictions, sextets have been permitted, but sadly repertoire has been minimal. The Black Dyke Sextet series is also available from the Black Dyke shop and features in our performances in our bandstand tour.

With support from the Arts Council and the Cultural Recovery Fund, we are now beginning to get back where we belong, bringing hope and joy into people’s lives through live music.