The stirring sounds of a brass band never fails lift the spirits – particularly in the run up to Christmas.

The thrill of group music-making has been central to Richard Marshall’s life, who is now stepping down from the “hottest seat in banding" in the world-famous Black Dyke Band.

Founded by John Foster at his family's textile mill in Queensbury, Bradford, in the mid 19th century, the band holds a vast number of titles, and over 350 recordings to its name.

Richard, who has been principal cornet for an unprecedented 20 years, will now concentrate on conducting. He started playing cornet aged nine, having been brought up in a brass banding family – his father played flugelhorn. He was a quick learner – becoming principal cornet of the Hatfield Band two years later.

Richard Marshall, currently Principal Cornet of the Black Dyke Band, performs a solo at the Holmfirth Civic Hall.
6th November 2025.
Picture Jonathan Gawthorpe — Richard Marshall, currently Principal Cornet of the Black Dyke Band, performs a solo at the Holmfirth Civic Hall. 6th November 2025. Picture Jonathan Gawthorpe

placeholder image — Richard Marshall, currently Principal Cornet of the Black Dyke Band, performs a solo at the Holmfirth Civic Hall. 6th November 2025. Picture Jonathan Gawthorpe

Richard was appointed to the most famous principal cornet seat in world banding in early 2006 after moving from Grimethorpe Colliery Band. During his tenure he released five critically acclaimed solo CD releases.

He now conducts for the Hatfield & Askern Colliery Band, which amalgamated 10 years ago, as well as the Yorkshire Youth Brass Band.

He said: "I've worked under some great conductors. It was always something I was interested in doing. Unfortunately you can't do principal cornet and conductor at the same time." His final concert will be at Huddersfield Town Hall on December 21, where the band will make a special presentation to mark his 20 years, acknowledging him as the longest serving principal cornet player in Black Dyke history.

Music Director Dr Nick Childs said: “Richard has been an outstanding soloist and one of the leading cornet players of his generation.

FILE PICTURE (21 December 2000): Richard Marshall, then principal cornet of the Grimethorpe Colliery Band, opens Millennium Green, part of a £2.4 million regeneration project in the former pit village of Grimethorpe, pictured with actor Pete Postlethwaite, star of the 1996 film Brassed Off, which was set in a fictional village based on Grimethorpe and used the Grimethorpe Colliery Band for the soundtrack. The film's story mirrors the real-life closure of the Grimethorpe colliery in 1993.

"His solo recordings have received international critical acclaim and he has led the cornet section with distinction, and every player in the band wishes Richard success in his ongoing musical life”.

Richard, who is also is also a cornet tutor at the Royal Northern College of Music and Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, among others, said: “Back in 1985, when my Dad took me to Queensbury and the Black Dyke Band room, my dream was to sit in the Principal Cornet chair and share the same seat as many of my cornet heroes.

"From that point covering 40 years of playing, and with two British Open, two European, and four National Championship titles achieved, I feel I have left a legacy to be proud of."

Brass bands rely on a large group of musicians working together to create a unified sound, with people having to learn to listen to each other and blend harmoniously with the group. He said: "What's really helped me is the camaraderie, being involved with lots of other people your life skills become better. You learn so much, but also as a person. You make friends for life."