News

At the 2009 Black Dyke Band Annual Dinner and Award Ceremony, the Bandsman of the Year Trophy was presented by Director of Music Dr Nicholas J Childs and the Pondasher Trophy was presented by Trustee Mr Ian Thompson and his wife Jan. The ceremony and dinner were attended by all of the band members, Trustees and their partners, together with a number of guests from the Bands' Partners. 

The Bandsman of the Year Trophy was awarded to Flugel Horn soloist, Alex Kerwin, described by Dr Nicholas Childs as "an ideal bandsperson, who combines motherhood and her passion with the band she clearly loves". This coveted award is voted for by the players of the band, and always reflects a player who is held in consistently high esteem by their peers throughout the year. 

The Pondasher Award was presented to Principal Cornet player Richard Marshall. Dr Childs commented "Richard epitomises a perfect bandsman, an outstanding talent, and a conscience to reflect his kind personality."

Black Dyke Band has been selected to receive a "Letter to the Future" from Cambridge University as part of their year-long plans to celebrate their 800^th anniversary. The letters, of which there will be only 800, will be stored in archives at the University Library, not to be opened until the University's 900^th anniversary in 2109. 

A representative of Black Dyke Band in 2109 will be able to retrieve the letter from the Archive in 2109 by presenting a numbered certificate to the University. The certificate for Black Dyke Band will be presented to the Band's Principal Conductor and Director of Music, Dr. Nicholas J. Childs, by Dr Cynthia Lampert Moore, a representative of the University, at their concert in Selby Abbey on Saturday 21^st November.

Black Dyke became the most successful brass band in history by retaining the 2009 National Brass Band Championships.

The competition, regarded as the FA Cup for brass bands, started with qualifying rounds at the beginning of the year, culminating with the UK's top 20 Grand Final on Saturday,17th October, at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall.

Nicholas Childs, Director of Music, commented "The band were in outstanding form and the audience reaction said it all, with the cheering still resounding in our ears."

Composer of the test piece, Professor Peter Graham, commented "Black Dyke's performance was full of character and brought the very best of my music out."

Adjudication trio of David Read, David King and Derek Broadbent, all agreed, Black Dyke's mixture of technical brilliance and musical nuance was enough to give them a clear victory over All England champion Fodens, with European champion, Cory in third.

This was Black Dyke's 22nd National Title making it more successful than any other brass band in history.

Black Dyke Band will once again present an open rehearsal at Morley Town Hall, this time for the National Championships test piece The Torchbearers by Peter Graham.

The rehearsal will start at 8pm on Thursday 15^th October and, as well as the open rehearsal and a full run through the test piece, Dr Childs will put on a short concert programme.

Admission is free and doors open at 7.30pm

Black Dyke Band will once again present an open rehearsal at Morley Town Hall, this time for the British Open test piece Titan's Progress by Hermann Pallhuber.

The rehearsal will start at 8pm on Thursday 10^th September and, as well as the open rehearsal and a full run through the test piece, Dr Childs will put on a short concert programme. 

Admission is free and doors open at 7.30pm

The band is on currently on tour in Australia and has over 1800 followers on FACEBOOK. If you would like to join FACEBOOK and watch their progress, go to the FACEBOOK pages on www.facebook.com/blackdykeband and the system will then give you instructions.

On June 27th, in Preston, the band won the English National Brass Band Championship playing Paul Lovatt-Cooper's "Within Blue Empires". As Champion Band, we will now be invited to represent England in the European Championships which take place in Linz, Austria, between April 29th and May 2nd 2010.

Dr Nicholas Childs commented "Black Dyke showed, with some sublime solo playing and the quality of sound, why it will be welcomed at the European Championships. Our next goal will be to raise the money required to represent England at these prestigious championships."

Black Dyke Band is pleased to report that Eb Bass player Phil Goodwin, who was ill in hospital for over 4 weeks from the end of April to the end of May, is now back at home and making good progress on the way to a full recovery. Everyone was delighted to see Phil lead Delph Band, who he conducts, down the village for the Whit Friday parade last week.

Although not quite well enough to play for Black Dyke at the English Nationals at the end of this month, Phil is expected back in his rightful place with the band the following weekend, July 4^th, at the Deal Festival.

Nick Childs commented 'Phil has been greatly missed, a great tuba player and of course a member of the band for over 24 years, a bandsman to the core and a friend who will be welcomed on his return.' 

Black Dyke Band will once again present an open rehearsal at Morley Town Hall, this time for the English National Brass Band Championship newly commissioned test piece Within Blue Empires by Paul Lovatt-Cooper.

The rehearsal will start at 8pm on Thursday 25^th June and, as well as the open rehearsal and a full run through the test piece, Dr Childs will put on a short concert programme.

Admission is free and doors open at 7.30pm

Coverage of three of the elements of the Brass Festival 2009 is now available to view on the band's website.

Dr Nicholas Childs' inaugural lecture on the History of Brass Bands - The Golden Period, illustrated by Black Dyke Band, is available together with full coverage of the Gala Concert and an interview with Dr Childs.

The link is http://www.blackdykeband.co.uk/14/