Robert Bernat was commissioned in 1976
by Elgar Howarth to write his first brass
band composition, Dunlaps Creek, for
Grimethorpe Colliery Band. He chose to use
an old hymn tune of the same name usually
associated with the words We walk by faith
and not by sight. Composing Dunlaps Creek
inspired Bernat to learn more about brass
bands and in 1978 he moved to Sheffield
for about a year. He was so impressed by
what he saw in terms of musical virtuosity
and accessibility that he made his mind up
to establish a brass band movement in the
US and in 1981 the River City Brass Band
gave its debut performance. Bernat served
as the bands conductor, artistic director and
president until his death in 1994.
