White River Brass was formed in the Autumn of 2000 as a facility to provide young players and inexperienced brass ensembles the chance of expert tuition from leading members of the Black Dyke Band. The group can present itself as a quintet to an eight piece ensemble depending on requirements for performance and teaching but is most often a six piece ensemble.
White River Brass has presented workshops throughout the Country from Durham to Lincoln, and from Leicester to Liverpool. They have performed in both the USA and Japan and performed at many of the University graduation ceremonies.
contact brett.trombone @ googlemail.com to find out availability of the group!
The group is made up of normally six players of the Black Dyke Band however the group is able to alter its set up and orchestration depending on the nature of the workshop or concert or ceremony. White River Brass featured in Brett Baker’s Solo recording “Brett Baker & Friends” and on Brass Pass TV as recently as January 2021.
Personnel
Jon Hammond: Jon Hammond was previously principal cornet and Drum Major, with the Kings Division of the British Army before joining Black Dyke. Throughout his career he has served with The Band of The Queen’s Division, The Band of the Welsh Guards and finally the King’s Division. He played with Rothwell Band before joining Black Dyke.
Adam Neild: The talented 21-year-old Adam Neild, a past principal cornet of the National Children’s Band and a member of the Junior School at the RNCM and Blue Coat School Oldham, joined Black Dyke Band from the Solo Cornet Bench at Fairey Band in 2017.
Keith Britcliffe: A teacher in the Leicester area that provides the group with invaluable experience in workshops. He plays back row with the Black Dyke Band and has done so since 1995.
Siobhan Bates: Siobhan is solo horn player with the Black Dyke Band and recently finished studying her PGCE to become a classroom teacher.
Jonathan Bates: Jonny is the solo horn of the Fodens Band and a talented player, arranger and composer.
Amy Paterson: Amy is a second year student studying at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester and comes from Campbeltown, Scotland. Amy is currently Scottish Solo Champion and Principal Horn with the National Youth Band of Scotland.
Dan Thomas: Dan has made a name for himself as a soloist and educator joining Black Dyke as principal Euphonium in 2016 he has just completed his Master’s Degree at the RNCM.
Brett Baker: Concert Manager of the ensemble, Past President of the British Trombone Society, Chairman of the Awards Committee of the International Trombone Association, General Manager of the Geneva Group, recording artist and Principal Trombone with the Black Dyke Band.
Gavin Saynor: Known in the band world for his rich full sound, Gavin is currently the solo Eb Bass player of the Black Dyke Band.
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