Six of the world’s leading brass brands, twelve world premières, nine outstanding soloists, plus the next generation of brass musicians – we can’t wait to welcome you to The RNCM International Brass Band Festival this January. View the full festival line-up.

Black Dyke Band begin their programme with Sir Arthur Bliss’s Kenilworth– a cornerstone in brass band repertoire. Written in 1936, Bliss composed the work around ten years before he wrote arguably one of his finest scores, the ballet music to Adam Zero. Robert Childs has now transcribed a suite from Adam Zero for brass band which Black Dyke will première as a partner work to Kenilworth.

They’ll also première Stephen Roberts’ Shades of the Soul. Roberts has based the work on the music of Frédéric Chopin and loosely expresses an outline of the Polish composer’s life through a series of musical snapshots.

Highlighting their exceptional talent, Black Dyke welcome two of their own inspiring soloists. Award-winning horn player Siobhan Bates performs Philip Wilby’s Concertante for Horn and Solo Baritone Michael Cavanagh performs Martin Ellerby’s Concerto for Baritone in a programme that concludes with another piece by one of the festival’s featured composers.

Arthur Bliss Kenilworth
Philip Wilby Concertante for Horn*
Stephen Roberts Shades of the Soul (world première)
Arthur Bliss (arr Robert Childs) Adam Zero Suite (world première)
Martin Ellerby Concerto for Baritone**
Oliver Waespi Antiphonies on Themes by William Byrd

Nicholas Childs conductor
Siobhan Bates horn*
Michael Cavanagh baritone**