The 2026 Kirkbymoorside 10K, 4K and Kids'
Races. Sunday 3rd May 2026 Well no march before the
Tractor Run and a band with no percussion, it was just to wet. Lets hope
for better weather next year because we do enjoy playing for the very
large crowd that always attends this brilliant event. Well done all the
runners, young and old, hope you have all recovered by now... There is a
video of the band playing on the Vids&Pics
page.
The Adventures of the
Bear and the Angel. 11th April 2026 at
6:00pm
A Magical Evening of Live Music, Storytelling and Film Premieres
at the James Holt Concert Hall.
We had an excellent
rehearsal a couple of days before the concert with a full run
through and we were relieved all went well. Getting the music to
sync with the video was tricky but I think we pulled it off just
about spot on. Thanks for all the hard work several people put
in to make this superb story and video fit together. It was
great to see all the young kids sat, glued to the screen, for the
whole performance. This
type of concert was a new venture for us all and we hope you enjoyed
the night as much as we enjoyed performing it.
Saturday
21st March 2026 North of England Brass
Band Finals, 1st Section. Drawn
last to play and a very long wait. That is not an excuse for a not to
good a performance it just made it worse. The band felt nervous and the
performance showed it, Nothing in particular went wrong but as the
comments suggested 'it just wasn't together'.
No complaints with 7th overall and, onward and upwards. Very well
done to our friends from down the road 'Swinton & District' for their
4th section second place.
James Holt
It is with deep sadness that the
Band learned from his family of the
passing of our Honorary President,
Mr. James Holt.
The Holt family’s connection to the
Kirkbymoorside Town Brass Band spans
generations and is woven into the
very fabric of our history. From the
remarkable generosity of James’s
father, Lt Col Vernon Harrison Holt
M.C., who in September 1934 funded
the repair of all the Band’s
instruments, to the family’s
steadfast support during the crucial
constitutional and financial changes
of the 1930s and 40s, their
commitment has shaped the Band we
know today, including in 1934 our
name becoming the Kirkbymoorside
Town Brass Band, a name that has
endured for over ninety years of our
210 year history.
James carried this legacy forward
with unwavering dedication,
friendship and generosity. For many
years, he played an integral role on
the Band committee, often holding
roles such as Chairman and President
offering wisdom, guidance, and
support whenever it was needed. His
belief in the Band and its place in
the community was constant and
wholehearted.
In 1976, James gifted the land at
Manor Vale in memory of his father,
enabling the construction of our
bespoke Band Room, a home that has
nurtured generations of musicians.
Then, in 2015, he set his sights
even higher. Driven by a vision to
secure the long-term future of brass
banding in Kirkbymoorside, James
championed the creation of a
purpose-built Concert Hall, the
first of its kind for brass bands
anywhere in the country. His
determination, financial commitment,
and expertise made that vision a
reality, providing not only a home
for our own Band but also a base for
the Scouting movement in the town.
Today, the James Holt Concert Hall
stands as a powerful testament to
his foresight and generosity. So too
does the thriving musical community
it supports: five bands, 125 active
players, and countless world-class
performances each year. This legacy
will continue to live on, through
the Hall, through the music, and
through every player who steps
through its doors. James was
honoured as a Life Member for his
support, a true testament to his
lifetime of support.
We, the Kirkbymoorside Town Brass
Band, extend our heartfelt
condolences to the Holt family, to
James’s relatives, and to all who
knew and loved him during this
difficult time.
Click the Arrow to
here Emma telling us all about it on 'Coastal Radio'
Christmas Party at the Band Room 2025
Lots of fun and games and a good time for everyone.....
Christmas
Concert 2025 James Holt Concert Hall 21st Dec 2025
Thank's so much for visiting us at
our Christmas Concert. Yet again it was full to busting and we are so
sorry for all of you who didn't get tickets. All the soloists played
very well and it was a pleasure to deliver the rest of the program to a
very appreciative audience. Thank's again and we look forward to next
year and all it brings.
Kirkby Band....
We were thrilled to welcome Mike Lovatt, one of the world's finest
trumpet players, to Kirkbymoorside!
You've definitely heard him even if you think you haven't - he's
played on over 4000 film soundtracks, including Avengers:End Game,
Paddington 2, Captain America and several James Bond movies. Mike is
lead trumpet for the John Wilson Orchestra and BBC Big Band and his
West End credits include Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita and 42nd
Street.
What a great event, 68 competitors (and
over 80 entries across 12 classes), 7
bands 7 hours of amazing music
Results and formal photos to follow but
here is a quick taster of a wonderful
day. Thank you to both our adjudicators
Craig Brown and Ryan Watkins to
all the tutors and competitors, and to
the amazing Jeanette Kendall for
organising such a wonderful day
Malton White Star, Stape Silver Band,
Easingwold Brass Band Shepherds Brass
Band, Thirsk British Legion Band,
Kirkbymoorside Senior, Youth, Community
and Development Bands Woodrow Music
Tuition-Thirsk. Thanks to the amazing
Larch Music for supporting the event and
to Smith Watkins Brass Instuments and
finaly Westfield's Honey Farm.....
What a day, hope you all enjoyed it
either as a player or a watcher. We
played all across Ryedale with a brilliant mass bands in
Kirkbymoorside in the evening. With massive
thanks to The New Inn at Cropton The Royal Oak,
GillamoorCoach House
Inn
The weather stayed dry for our
concert at Hovingham in the Rydale Festival. Its always a great thrill
for us to make an appearance in what is one of the most prestigious
music festivals in the country. We have appeared at every festival for
around twenty years and always enjoy the experience appearing in the
same festival along side some of the top performers from all over the
world.
ERIC WHITACRE
at Kirkbymoorside
We played 'GLOW' at the
Brighouse concert, a piece by Eric Whitacre and we will be playing it again,
along with 'Sleep' at the 'Ryedale Festival' 27th July. So we were
more than pleased when Eric came to one of our rehearsals to take us
through the two pieces. What a thrill to have him visit us and to hear
how it should be from the man who knows best.
BRIGHOUSE & RASTRICK BAND at
Kirkbymoorside
What can we say....
What a night, one that will live long in the memory of the
people of Kirkbymoorside and players in all our bands young and
old. Judging by some of the comments we have been getting, our
audience loved it as much as we enjoyed playing.
The Brighouse & Rastrick band were outstanding. It
was an honour to share a stage with them and welcome them
to the James Holt Concert Hall.
Thank you to all our audience and supporters and all the
volunteers who made the evening run so smoothly.
And a huge thank you to our Musical Director Sarah and Band
Manager Phil for organising such and inspirational evening.
HARMONIA
& KIRKBY BAND On the 26th of April 2025 we hosted the
superb 'Harmonia Choir' from Malton at our concert hall for a joint
concert of, what we hope, was an exciting and enjoyable selection of
some of the best music around. The highlight for me was the piece by
John Rutter, very moving and a credit to the choir. It was a first for
our band because some of us had to take sea sickness tablets to perform
'The Weller Man' a selection of sea shanties. The photo was taken at the
last rehearsal at our hall. Thanks' for coming to support our two
Ryedale music groups.
NATIONAL YOUTH BRASS BAND CHAMPIONSHIPS of GREAT BRITAIN HULL 29th
March 2025 Absolutely
fabulous day for Kirkby Youth Band at the Youth Champs of Great Britain. The band played brilliantly with amazing
performances from all the soloists. Their hard work was recognised with
a gold award. A special loud KMS whoopedy whoop to their inspirational
leader Nette who picked an exciting program that everybody loved playing.
Well done everyone...
North of England Championships
23rd March 2025 CHAMPIONSHIP
SECTION.
Our trip to Durham this year, for the
North of England Brass band Championships was a mixture of
disappointment and pride. Disappointment because we finished 8th overall
after playing we thought quite well. Pride because we can hold our heads
up for playing a deceptively difficult piece of music to the very best
of our ability. Well done to all of us and especially well done to the
soloists with a special mention to the Sop who I think we all would
agree had to play an extremely difficult part. A special mention to the percussion sections for managing to stay
awake at all the rehearsals and the performance. And of course, last but certainly not least, a big thanks to our MD
for the massive effort to get us to the level we played at. I think we are bound for the 1st Section next year so at
least we can go to Durham expecting to win.
Contesting Brass A full house for our showcase of the North of
England Area Test pieces. 'Divertions' for us and 'Daedalus' for Swinton.
We, I think, played ours not bad at all and Swinton should be very proud
of their performance indeed. We were joined by Kirkby Community Band
who as usual, played very well indeed. Kirkby Junior Band are playing a
contest later this spring and took us on a trip to Disney Land to show
of their program of Disney Classics. Well played everyone and judging
by the audience reaction they thought we payed well to.. What aGreat night,
thank's for coming so wish Swinton and Kirkby good luck in Durham.
The Award Winners and
Soloists at the Christmas Concert 2024
Our training bands have had some great concerts,
click here for our Training
Section Page.
James Bond 007 Thank's for coming you glamorous people,
you all looked great for our '007 concert'. If you were not
shaken we hope you were stirred by what we thought was an interesting
program of truly great music from the evergreen films of James Bond.
We hope you enjoyed the two singers we included for the first time in
the hall with great performances from Niamh Lally and Kirkby's own,
Chris Clarke. Thank's to all the soloists and our MD for putting the
show together. Don't forget our Xmas Concert this year on 22nd Dec 2024
in the JHCH, see you then.
Kirkby
Band Solo & Ensemble
Competition 24
What a great day of competition this year with
nearly 80 entries.
Kirkbymoorside Musical Director Recognised at National
Awards in London.
On Saturday 19th October Brass Band England Held its
annual conference and Award Ceremony at the City of London School.
Brass Bands England promotes, represents and supports brass bands
across the country. They are a voice for England’s brass bands and
work to promote and celebrate the life-enhancing benefits of this
vital part of our culture.
A key part of their work is the conference and awards, where Brass
Bands England is proud to recognise those individuals and
organisations in the banding world that have made an exceptional
contribution to brass banding. Be it through inspiring young
people, tireless dedication, leading imaginative creative projects
and collaborations, or bringing about positive social change. There
is plenty to be celebrated!
The hotly contested Brass Band Conductor Award, supported by the
Brass Band Conductors’ Association was awarded to Sarah Woodward of
Kirkbymoorside Town Brass Band.
Sarah has been a conductor with the Kirkbymoorside Town Brass Band
family for over 30 years, with nearly 2 decades dedicated to the
Junior Sections. In this time she has also set up the Kirkbymoorside
Community Band, which is for everyone of all abilities and currently
has over 40 players aged 11-89+.
In 2018 she took up the baton for Kirkbymoorside Senior Band,
becoming one of the few female conductors of a Championship section
band, and now oversees a team of four female conductors, aged 20-50+
leading over 120 musicians
Sarah couldn’t attend the awards, as she was helping to run a local
brass band competition in Kirkbymoorside that was hosting over 70
competitors aged 7-87. However the Band arranged for Internationally
renowned Brass Band Celebratory Alan Fernie to present her with the
award. He said:
“It was an honour to present Sarah with her award…Each time I am
there (in Kirkbymoorside) I am absolutely knocked out by both level
and quality of activity, and the enthusiasm shown”
Emma Smailes – Conductor of the Kirkbymoorside Community Band Said:
“I would never have considered that I could conduct but 6 years
ago Sarah said I think you would be great. She has supported and
mentored me throughout and now I have the pleasure and honour to
conduct our thriving Community Band with over 40 players. Sarah
wouldn’t see herself as a role model, but she absolutely is, and I
can’t think of anyone who deserves this award more”
Picture Sarah Woodward and Alan
Fernie.
KIRKBYMOORSIDE COMMUNITY
AWARDS 24
Last night we were delighted to win the membership organisation
of the year award at the Kirkbymoorside Awards, thank you to all
of you who nominated us.
However no group can survive without awesome volunteers and we
couldn't be prouder that our Annabel Kent
won the Young Person of the year award. Annabel is integral to
all our bands, from taking our very first starters in Roots, to
supporting our Development and Youth Band, being solo cornet and
regular soloist in our Community Band and our Solo Cornet in
Senior Band. She dedicates hours of her time to teaching,
arranging and composing music across the organisation too.
Well done to all the nominees, we also had a wonderful time
playing for the celebration evening. What a wonderful town
Kirkby is, we are so lucky to be your Town Band
Well done ANNABEL
Stokesley Show 2024 A wet start to Stokesley Show this time.
Fine at Kirkby when we left but got progressively worse as we went over
Chop Gate and onto the show field. The march to the field was a bit
damp, but it cleared up for the start of our first of three sets
throughout the day. There was a good crowd who I think enjoyed our
playing, so we look forward to our next visit to this ever popular
agricultural show.
RYEDALE
FESTIVAL 2024 We
think the concert went very well and we certainly enjoyed playing. We
had our hall full of new and old friends. All the soloists played very
well and 'The Muppets' with choreography kept the audience laughing.
Thanks again to the Festival for inviting us to be part of this
wonderful annual event. We look forward to next year..
Ryedale Folk Museum 2024 A
very enjoyable afternoon helping The Ryedale Folk Museum celebrate
their 60th year. A good crowd braved the not too good forecast and
enjoyed a rain free afternoon listening to what we hope, was a good
choice of music, including a new version of HAPPY BIRTHDAY....
Thank's
Angela Waites Photography for the photo.
Kirkby Band, Our Hannah. Video previews below of 'Brassed Off' in
Keswick's Theatre by the Lake With Hannah Woodward as Gloria...
We are beyond thrilled that our own Hannah Woodward has been selected to
play Gloria in the National Tour of 'Brassed Off'
Hannah learned to play with the band through our training band
programme, quickly becoming a member
of the Senior Band with
lots of her family where she ultimately became our Flugel
Player.
An amazingly talented performer, after school Hannah trained at
Bird College Conservatoire of Dance & Musical Theatre, where she
was the winner of the Doreen Bird Foundation Development Award.
Hannah is absolutely thrilled to be performing in this
production of 'Brassed Off' so close to her home town and we
could not be prouder:
" I would like to thank my family, friends and teachers who have
supported me in my journey to becoming a performer. A special
mention must go to Kirkbymoorside Town Brass Band for without
them, this opportunity would not have been possible." Thank's
Hannah. Theatre by the LakeStephen Joseph Theatre
& Octagon
Theatre Bolton
Kirkbymoorside 2024 -
10k Run Great
day with a very big turn out of runners and and spectators ensuring the
success and continuation of this popular event. The band played for the
races as well as the Beadlam Tractor Run before the races.
The Senior Band Concert FRI
26th APRIL at the JHCH The music
was chosen by the players in the band and the variety of pieces was, I
think, enjoyed by all who attended. Two extracts from test pieces played
by Ben an Charlie, the playful 'Chicken Run' and many more. The
loudest piece and the loudest applause was for our last but one tune
from Ireland' RIVER DANCE, one of the bands favorites. Hanna played the
'Brasses Off ' 'classic Concerto de Aranjues' . Thank's for coming
and see you next time..
North of England Championships 17th March 2024 CHAMPIONSHIP
SECTION
After just over 2 months of intensive rehearsals, we felt we were
playing 'Variations on an Enigma' by Philip Sparke as well as we could.
This piece was the most difficult test piece we have ever played. The
demands on all the players in all the sections could not have been
higher, On stage we played our hearts out and we thought it was as good
a performance as we could have have played. We were placed 7th out of
nine so two bands found it even harder than us. We would not disagree
with the adjudicators and with 4barsrest giving us a good report we
agree with their praise of our MD Sarah who worked tirelessly to get us
into the right place to compete at Championship level, the top level in
banding. We now look forward to returning to rehearsals playing concert
pieces which will be a pleasant change from a test piece like Variations
on an Enigma. Well done all and bring on next year.
Area Test Pieces - 2024 Swinton & District and
Kirkbymoorside Bands
What a great night at the James Holt Concert Hall on Saturday 2nd March
2024. We got together with Swinton & District Band to play our
respective Test Pieces. A large audience listened with a lot of interest
to the two performances and I think we both did a good job. Swinton took
us on a trip around Scotland whilst we charged around in search of an
Enigma. The 17th of March will soon be here so lets hope for a result
that we and our supporter would be proud of. We were joined
by Kirkbymoorside Community Band who entertained us all between the test
pieces.
ERIC WHITACRE
HARMONIA
& KIRKBY BAND
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James Bond 007
