Page 163 - RPS Awards 2024 Coverage Book

Celebrating its 30th anniversary, Derwent Brass from Belper has impressed
audiences over the past three decades with its diverse musical programming.

It is believed to be the first brass band in more than 200 years of the Royal
Philharmonic Society to be presented with an RPS Award.

Selected through a rigorous process that involved public voting, Derwent Brass

emerged victorious among a stellar lineup of nominees, including the Glasgow
Madrigirls, Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus and The Sunday Boys. The band's win
not only highlights its outstanding achievements but also its strong contribution
to the Midlands’ “rich heritage of brass banding”, according to the RPS.

The music society extended its heartfelt congratulations to Derwent Brass on
this well-deserved accolade in a statement which read: "Recently celebrating its
30th anniversary, the band is positively influencing others with its commitments
to sustainability and diverse membership. Performing repertoire from Broadway
to ‘The Planets’ – and recently completing a 35-show run of ‘Brassed Off’ at
Derby Theatre – the group consistently innovates and entertains.”

Music director Jack Capstaff accepted the award on behalf of the band and said:
“Brass bands, for all their foibles, have always been good at giving great access
to music making.

“Derwent go one step further in trying to programme a schedule of concerts,
projects, and innovative new music to be able to engage not only those within

our existing brass band community, but those wider - those from diverse
backgrounds that would otherwise have limited, if any, exposure to western
classical music.

“It really is a treat to be here representing not only Derwent Brass - who are, as
its music director, my favourite brass band in the world - but also representing
brass banding more generally. It is only fitting that the first time a brass band
has won an award of such merit is when it is hosted ‘up north’.”

Band manager Chris Leonard said: “We are truly grateful to everyone who
supported and voted for us in the RPS Awards from both our local following and
the wider banding community.

“To win this award means so much, for a wide array of reasons, not least of
which helping to push brass bands toward centre stage in the expansive classical
music world and receiving recognition for trying to do things that bit differently.

“It feels like crazy but brilliant times at Derwent right now, winning this award

hot off the back of our podium finish at the regionals and finishing the week in
concert with Russell Watson. A final note of thanks to fellow Midlanders ‘Presto
Music’ who so kindly sponsored our category.”