Regional Championships Workshop

On Saturday February 24th, City of Bristol Brass Band participated in a regional championships workshop at Oatley Hall, St Monica's Trust, working together with Lewis Merthyr Band of South Wales, with renowned conductor and adjudicator David Hirst, on the 2024 Regional Championships set work, Eric Ball's "High Peak"

David has an incredible pedigree. He began his musical career at the age of ten with his local village band playing cornet. He made rapid progress, and, at the age of fourteen was accepted into the Yorkshire Imperial Metals Band on the solo cornet bench. Two years later David joined the Black Dyke Mills Band on Soprano Cornet, where he had four successful years including wins at the British Open, National and World Championships

In 1972 David began studying music at the University of Huddersfield, being taught by the great trumpet soloist Maurice Murphy. A growing interest in orchestral and big band playing then led him to being one of the early members of the James Shepherd Versatile Brass

In 1978 David rejoined the Black Dyke Mills Band on Soprano cornet enjoying further contest success. By the mid ‘70s he was conducting various bands before being appointed in 1980 as the Musical Director of the Andrews Heat for Hire Band. After five successful years he then took over as Musical Director at Lewington Yamaha Band, followed by two years as the Resident Conductor at Black Dyke, conducting the band during their historic tour of Australia in 1988

In 1990 David returned to the Yorkshire Imperial Band conducting them at the British Open, All England Masters and as prize-winners at the “Brass in Concert” competition over three successive years. In 1994 David was invited to join the ‘World Famous’ Brighouse & Rastrick Band as Resident Musical Director, relinquishing this position in 2005 after 11 years. During this period the Band were National Champions (1997 and 1998), European Champions (1998) and All England Masters Champions (1997 and 2001) in addition to Yorkshire Area Champions (1995, 1997 and 2003). Since leaving B&R David has been guest conductor with Grimethorpe, Faireys and Fodens, and more

Both Lewis Merthyr and City of Bristol thoroughly enjoyed working with David and found his advice and insight invaluable. The bands now look forward to their performances at the West of England and Welsh Regional Championships at the Riviera Centre, Torquay and Brangwyn Hall, Swansea later this month

Our thanks go to David for all his hard work and tremendous advice, and to Lewis Merthyr Band for joining us for the workshop. The band look forward to working together with Lewis Merthyr in Wales for a joint performance at the 2024 Oriana Festival at St Elvan's, Cynon Valley on Saturday May 18th, in our combined 2024 | 25 project, "The Lord of the Rings". For further information and tickets for the event, visit www.stelvans.com/oriana-festival