News - Edward Gregson

National Brass Band Final features Gregson set work

October 17, 2025

Edward Gregson’s Symphony in two movements was the set work for the National Brass Band Final last Saturday at London’s iconic Royal Albert Hall, where 19 bands performed the work in front of an enthusiastic audience. The winning band was Desford Colliery Band from the Midlands, with Black Dyke Band from Yorkshire close behind in 2nd place. The Symphony was received with critical acclaim, separately called ‘a masterpiece’ and ‘ground-breaking’. The work has been recorded by the Black Dyke Band and is available on the Doyen label.

Photo: Black Dyke Band, conductor Nicholas Childs, before their performance of Symphony …

Gregson receives Lifetime Achievement Award

October 1, 2025

Edward Gregson was recently presented with a ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ by Brass Bands England for his contribution as a composer to the brass band repertoire over the past 60 years. The award ceremony took place at the famous Miner’s Hall in Durham. Katrina Marzella-Wheeler, a former principal player with the Black Dyke Band, now embarked on a successful conducting career, was presented with the conducting award.

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Two Gregson world premieres at the Presteigne Festival

September 7, 2025

This year’s Presteigne Festival, which is widely acknowledged for its exceptional work in commissioning, performing and promoting new music and living composers, marked the fiftieth anniversary of the death of Dmitri Shostakovich, who was among the most influential musical voices of the 20th century.

To celebrate Edward Gregson’s 80th birthday year, the Festival Finale concert featured the world premieres of two of his new works: Dances Old and New for solo cello, brilliantly performed by Gemma Rosefield, and Aubade for string orchestra, performed by the Presteigne Festival Orchestra conducted by George Vass.

George Vass, Artistic Director of this wonderful …

Gregson work featured in ‘Radio3 in Concert’

March 24, 2025

Tom Redmond presents a concert recorded at the Royal Northern College of Music Brass Band Festival 2025, with Foden’s Band, which features the world premiere of Edward Gregson’s Tenor Horn Concerto: Three Gods, with soloist Tim de Maeseneer.

Listen at 7.30 on Monday 24 March, or on BBC Sounds shortly after the broadcast, here…