The World Famous

Black Dyke Band

With a heritage stretching back to 1855, the Black Dyke Band’s pedigree is unrivalled. Over 350 recordings and numerous national and European competition titles have made the name Black Dyke synonymous with musical excellence.

“Virtuosity of this order takes the breath away”
Education

Learn with Black Dyke Band

Your opportunity to take video lessons with some of the finest band musicians in the world.

From complete beginner, through intermediate, to advanced level, our lessons will help you become a better musician and player.

Each course is a series of ten, 20-minute lessons designed to give you the skills to learn, improve and master your chosen instrument. You can buy individual lessons as well as complete courses.

Christmas special offer. Each lesson is now £5 until January 1st 2024.

Cornet Tuition with Richard Marshall
Richard Marshall teaches Cornet

Cornet Tuition

With Richard Marshall Principal Cornet

Cornet tuition with the world-renowned Richard Marshall, described by Elgar Howarth as “The most outstanding cornet player this country has ever produced”.

Tenor Horn Tuition with Siobhan Bates
Siobhan Bates teaches

Tenor Horn Tuition

With Siobhan Bates Principal Horn

Tuition with Black Dyke’s Principal Tenor Horn, Siobhan Bates, winner of “2019 BrassPass TV Young Brass Award”.

Trombone Tuition with Dr. Brett Baker
Dr. Brett Baker teaches

Trombone Tuition

With Dr. Brett Baker Principal Trombone

Trombone tuition with Black Dyke Band’s Solo Trombone, Brett Baker. In 2020 Brett was awarded the ITA Presidents Award for his solo performances and recordings.

Euphonium/Baritone Tuition with Daniel Thomas
Daniel Thomas teaches

Euphonium/Baritone Tuition

With Daniel Thomas Principal Euphonium

Tuition with Daniel Thomas, Black Dyke’s Principal Euphonium and winner in 2019 of Outstanding Euphonium Player at the British Open Championships.

Tuba Tuition with Gavin Saynor
Gavin Saynor teaches

Tuba Tuition

With Gavin Saynor Principal Tuba

Tuition from highly respected Gavin Saynor, one of the Principal Tuba players with Black Dyke, who has performed and held workshops worldwide.

Course Outlines

Beginner

From how to hold your instrument, posture, breathing and producing first notes, through to playing scales, pieces and learning about essential techniques – our Beginner course is the perfect start to your musical adventure. ABRSM Grades 1 to 3.

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Intermediate

Developing your musicianship, our Intermediate course covers a wide variety of skills. Learning new techniques, improving stamina, different scales, new pieces, rhythmic challenges, sight-reading and hitting the high notes are just some of this course’s highlights. ABRSM Grades 4 to 5.

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Advanced

Expanding your musicianship, our Advanced course covers a variety of lip and tonguing techniques, how to improve your range, sight-reading skills, playing solo, learning Grade 8 pieces and practice techniques – giving the confidence and opportunity to become an accomplished player. ABRSM Grades 6 to 8.

Learn More
Support Us

Different ways to help

Our Heritage Centre, showcasing the Band’s history, constantly evolves to improve the visitor experience. It complements a commitment to promoting music education, through both our Youth Band and our new online lesson series.

Our Heritage Lottery funding ceased in July 2017 and to keep our building alive, maintain our collection and update our displays, we rely on public support. This can be done in different ways, from one-off donations to regular patronage, through our Giant Cash Bonanza, or by purchasing from our online shop. Please click on any of the links to find out more.

I’d like to help

If the band had only played the first item it would have slackened your jaw. Virtuosity of this order takes the breath away.”

The Toronto Star

Newspaper Review

Each new generation of fleet-fingered cornet and euphonium virtuosos add another layer of jaw-dropping achievement

The Times

Newspaper Review

The best Brass Band in the land

Sir Paul McCartney

Singer, Songwriter, Musician

The best brass band in the World

Sir Elton John

Singer, Songwriter, Musician

The set of the Festival (Glastonbury 2017)

The Guardian

Newspaper Review

Our History

Dimensions of brilliance on display in Birmingham

2024

Black Dyke Band triumph at Royal Albert Hall

Black Dyke Band Triumph at the Royal Albert Hall

2023

The band are voted #1 in the classic charts

Black Dyke were Number One in the Classic Charts

2020

First Brass Brand to play Glastonbury's Pyramid Stage

Black Dyke Band become the first brass band to perform at Glastonbury on the Pyramid Stage

2017

Black Dyke Heritage Centre opens

2017

Black Dyke become European Champions for the 13th time

2015

Black Dyke win the National Championships for the 23rd time

2014

BBC Proms performance in tribute of Sir Edward Elgar

The band performs at the BBC Proms to celebrate the centenary of Sir Edward Elgar

2007

The Band celebrate their 150th Anniversary

2005

The Band record the theme tune to BBC's Ground Force

Black Dyke Band record a piece that will later become the theme tune to BBC’s ‘Ground Force’

2002

The band are nominated for an Oscar award

Oscar Nominated

1999

Black Dyke Band are nominated for a Grammy

Black Dyke Band are nominated for a ‘Grammy Award’

1999

The first Brass Band to play Carneigie Hall

Black Dyke Band became the first Brass Band to perform at Carneigie Hall

1993

Band awarded Honorary Freedom of the City of Bradford

1976

Paul McCartney and Wings recorded ‘Thingumybob’ and ‘Yellow Submarine’ with Black Dyke Band

Paul McCartney and Wings record ‘Thingumybob’ and ‘Yellow Submarine’ with Black Dyke Band

1968

5 month tour of Canada & the USA, performing over 200 concerts

1906

Black Dyke makes one of the earliest Brass Band recordings

1904

John Foster and Son secured funding for new instruments for the band, officially forming the Black Dyke Mills Band

1855