Posted: 14/12/22
2022 was a year of building and innovation for Derwent Brass, ultimately resulting in scooping the Brass Band England's Award for Innovation. In a time of struggle in some areas of the brass band movement, the band continues to battle through by developing artistically, standing out, and attracting good and committed players as a result.
Navigating decisions, consistent and committed management, and making change for the right reasons has helped the band prosper off the back of the worst covid times. Above all the spirit to achieve, to be ambitious and to innovate remains strong at the heart of Derwent Brass. It is rare that we get the opportunity to stand back and look at our achievements over the last year, but in doing so there is a huge sense of pride, defying the odds, and going on to deliver huge projects in the face of a troubled economy, challenging environment and similar factors.
Our trilogy of concerts to mark our 30th anniversary was a mammoth undertaking and one that came with substantial risk, not least of which financial, but as a certain 'Danny' once said "...its music that matters"' and deliver music we did - in spades - boosting our 'friends' following to its highest ever number and raising the profile of brass banding in Derbyshire and the wider public as a result.
Often, being the innovator - the one who dares to be different - doesn't pay off (most notably in brass band contests!) which at times can make one question, are we doing the right thing? But persevere we have and persevere we will. Such then, is our delight, to make the 4barsrest nominations for 'Band of the Year 2022' which undoubtedly is a nod of encouragment for us to continue pushing those boundaries.
"As always, the 4BR nominations in each category reflect those proactive responses to, as well as the excellence displayed in producing brass band music in its varied forms and formats throughout the past 12 months – especially those that have reached out beyond our traditional self-possessed boundaries.
It was so encouraging to have to really work hard to narrow things down to choose 10 nominees in this category. These are the bands that excelled in their ambition – and not just on the contest stage: Some renewed and refocussed, others building further on existing achievements. All though looked outward and to the future."
The nominatons are:
1. Brass Band of Battle Creek
2. Brass Band Schoonhoven
3. Brass Band Treize Etoiles
4. Brighouse & Rastrick
5. Cory
6. Derwent Brass
7. Eikanger Bjorsvik
8. Foden’s
9. Hammonds
10. Tredegar
In such a high profile list of bands (and it really is extremely high profile!) we recognise that our chances of going on to win the category are not the highest, but it is with genuine appreciation that we thank the team at 4BR for recognising our enterprise in recent times.
Past Winners:
2021: Foden’s
2020: Foden’s
2019: Cory
2018: Valaisia Brass Band
2017: Eikanger Bjorsvik
2016: Cory
2015: Cory
2014: Black Dyke
2013: Cory
2012: Foden's
2011: Brighouse & Rastrick
2010: Tredegar
2009: Cory
2008: Cory
2007: Grimethorpe Colliery Band
2006: Grimethorpe Colliery (UK Coal) Band
2005: Black Dyke
2004: Yorkshire Building Society
2003: Yorkshire Building Society
2002: Foden's Richardson
2001: Yorkshire Building Society
