Articles & features: 2013 / International
2013 All England Masters International Championship - Retrospective
Chris Thomas looks back at the 25th Masters - won by a band and MD that found the essential character traits of classic Eric Ball.
2013 Whit Friday - Retrospective
4BR's Malcolm Wood looks back on day when some red hot playing kept players both young and old warm around Tameside and Saddleworth.
2013 Whit Friday Contest - Gallery of images from Tameside and Saddleworth
Ian Clowes and Malcolm Wood provide some memorable images of the greatest free show on earth...
2013 All England Masters International Championship - As it happened
All the action from the 2013 All England Masters International Championship - as it happened.
2013 All England Masters International Championship - 25 years of the Masters
4BR Editor Iwan Fox looks at the Masters - and congratulates the organisers for being able to stick two fingers up to their critics...
2013 All England Masters International Championship - Preview & Prediction
4BR Editor Iwan Fox looks forward to looking back with Eric Ball's annual meeting of gay friends in Kettering...
The Greatest Free Show on Earth - The Whit Friday contests in Saddleworth & Tameside
Malcolm Wood looks forward to the greatest free show on earth this weekend - the Whit Friday contests in Saddleworth and Tameside.
4BR Interview - Stephen Roberts (Part 2)
Chris Thomas continues his in depth conversation with composer Stephen Roberts - the man behind this year's British Open test piece.
The Best of Banding - How local banding partnerships can work
Jeremy Dibb provides 4BR with his personal experience of how partnerships between local community bands can work well.
2013 Spring Festival - Grand Shield - retrospective
Chris Thomas looks back on a contest that certainly lived up to its unpredictable nature as Milnrow claimed an emotional victory.
2013 Spring Festival - Senior Cup - retrospective
Malcolm Wood looks back on a contest that was won in considerable style by a Woodfalls Band that certainly mastered the key problems of a tricky test piece.
2013 Spring Festival - Senior Trophy - retrospective
John James looks back on a contest won by Newtongrane - a band that has been on a high and low journey of its own of late.
Manifesto promises - The battle for the future leadership of BBE gets underway
David Ashworth and Kevin Holgate set out their 'Manifesto for the Future' as they seek election to Brass Bands England.
2013 Spring Festival - Gallery of prize winners
There were plenty of winning smiles and promotion grins on display at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool this year...
2013 European Brass Band Championships - Retrospective
4BR Editor Iwan Fox looks back at a possible defining victory for Cory at the European Championships in Olso.
2013 Spring Festival - Preview to Blackpool
Malcolm Wood sets the scene on a weekend of hard graft, hard drinking and hard luck - with only two bands making a getaway from it all on the Golden Mile...
2013 Spring Festival - Grand Shield - Preview & Prediction
The hardest brass band contest in the world to win will come down to who knows most about the musical habits of a ginger cleric...
2013 Spring Festival - Senior Cup - Preview & Prediction
A touch of Italian carnival splendour stands in the way of the bands hoping to claim their place in the Grand Shield.
2013 Spring Festival - Senior Trophy - Preview & Prediction
A classic piece of mature Eric Ball will test the bands as they hope to take the first step on ther own journey to the British Open.
2013 European Brass Band Championships - As it happened
All the action from the 2013 European Brass Band Championships in Olso - as it happened.
2013 European Brass Band Championships - Gallery - Gala Concert and Awards
Ian Clowes captures the celebrations as the awards were presented
2013 European Brass Band Championships - Gallery - Bands: Own Choice
Ian Clowes captures the bands in action during the own choice contest
2013 European Brass Band Championships - Gallery - Conductors - Set Work
Ian Clowes captures the conductors in action during the set work contest
2013 European Brass Band Championships - Gallery - Around the Championships
Ian Clowes captures moments from 2013 EBBC
2013 European Brass Band Championships - Gallery - Conductors Competition
Ian Clowes captures moments from the European Conductors Competition
2013 European Brass Band Championships - Gallery - European Youth Brass Band
Ian Clowes captures moments from the European Youth Brass Band playing in Oslo 2013
2013 European Brass Band Championships - Gallery from Oslo
Ian Clowes and the 4BR team have been out and about capturing images of Oslo scene for the Championships.
2013 European Brass Band Championships - Oslo Preview
Has the plan for never ending European banding expansionism finally come to an end in Oslo?
2013 European Brass Band Championships - Championship Section Preview & Prediction
Could home advantage be the deciding factor this year in Oslo?
2013 European Brass Band Championships - Championship Section Runners & Riders
11 of the very best bands will lock horns to see who can be crowned the 2013 Champion Band of Europe.
2013 European Brass Band Championships - Championship Test Piece Review
4BR Editor Iwan Fox takes a closer look at an intriguing take on Norwegian pond life from the pen of Stig Nordhagen.
4BR Interview - Tine Thing Helseth
4BR's Malcolm Wood meets the Norwegian trumpet star who has just about everything in life planned out to perfection.
Percussion Problem Solver - Being prepared
In the first of a new series Gavin Pritchard gives helpful advice on how to be prepared for the expected and the unexpected on the contest stage.
Neglected Gems - Seascape with High Cliffs
Chris Thomas puts forward the case for a timely reappraisal of a forgotten European test piece.
2013 North American Brass Band Championships - Retrospective
4BR Editor Iwan Fox looks back at contest events in Cincinnati, where musical style and American substance was certainly on show.
2013 National Youth Championships of Great Britain - Retrospective
Malcolm Wood looks back on the National Youth Championships - where a gold medal was fully deserved for Brass Bands England as well as well as for the very best competitors.
2013 National Youth Championships of Great Britain - Championship & Intermediate Gallery
Steve Jack was out and about at the RNCM in Manchester capturing the action in the Championship and Intermediate Sections at the National Youth Championships.
2013 National Youth Championships of Great Britain - Beginners & Juniors Gallery
Steve Jack was out and about at the RNCM in Manchester capturing the action in the Beginners and Junior Sections at the National Youth Championships.
2013 North American Brass Band Championships - Prize winners gallery
Gallery images of the Prizewinners at this year's Championships in Cincinnati .
2013 North American Brass Band Championships - Gallery from Cincinnati
4BR Editor has been out and about capturing images of the action at the Cincinnati Mason Centre this weekend.
2013 National Youth Championships of Great Britain - Introduction
4BR's Malcolm Wood looks forward to a wonderful day of competition at the RNCM in Manchester on the weekend.
2013 Australian National Championships - Retrospective
4BR Editor Iwan Fox looks back on the 2013 Yamaha Australian National Championships in Perth - and a result that revealed its bikini lines more than most.
2013 Australian National Championships - Gallery: The Prize Winners
Images of the prize winners at this year's Australian National Championships in Perth.
2013 Australian National Championships - Gallery: Sunday
Selection of images from the A Grade and B Grade events.
2013 Australian National Championships - Gallery: Friday
Selection of images from the A Grade and B Grade events
2013 Australian National Championships - Contest Preview
4BR Editor Iwan Fox looks forward to his trip to the Australian National Championships in Perth this weekend.
2013 Welsh Regional Championships - Championship Section retrospective
4BR Editor Iwan Fox looks back at the top section action at Swansea.
2013 North of England Regional Championships - Championship Section retrospective
4BR's Malcolm Wood looks back at the top section action at Darlington.
2013 London & Southern Counties Regional Championships - Championship Section retrospective
4BR's Peter Bale looks back at the top section action at Stevenage.
2013 Midlands Regional Championships - Championship Section retrospective
4BR's Chris Thomas looks back at the top section action at Bedworth.
2013 North West Regional Championships - Championship Section retrospecive
4BR's Malcolm Wood looks back at the top section action at Blackpool.
2013 Scottish Championships - Championship Section retrospective
4BR looks back at the action in the top section at Perth.
2013 West of England Regional Championships - Championship Section retrospective
4BR Editor Iwan Fox looks back on the action in the top section at Torquay.
2013 Welsh Regional Championships - Gallery from the Brangwyn Hall
Images of the prize winners from the Welsh Regional Championship in Swansea's Brangwyn Hall this year.
2013 Scottish Championships - Gallery from Perth
Linda Cairns was in Perth last weekend to capture the happy smiles of bands and players heading to Cheltenham and London later in the year.
2013 Welsh Regional Championships - Previews & Predictions
4BR Editor Iwan Fox looks forward to the battle of the Welsh bands in Swansea on the weekend.
2013 North of England Regional Championships - Preview & Predictions
4BR's Malcolm Wood looks forward to what promises to be an enjoyable weekend of contesting in Darlington.
2013 London & Southern Counties Regional Championhips - Preview & Predictions
4BR Editor Iwan Fox looks forward to the competitive action at Stevenage this weekend.
2013 West of England Regional Championships - Gallery from Torquay
Images of the two days of drama and excitement in Torquay taken by 4BR editor Iwan Fox
2013 North West Regional Championships - Gallery of the Blackpool weekend
Steve Jack and John James were recording the images of the action at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool on the weekend.
2013 Midlands Regional Championships - Preview & Predictions
4BR Editor Iwan Fox looks forward to the action at one of the most closely contested regional championships in the country.
2013 North West Regional Championships - Preview & Predictions
4BR's Malcolm Wood looks forward to the unique atmosphere of the banding action at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool on Mother's Day.
2013 Scottish Championships - Preview & Predictions
4BR Editor Iwan Fox looks forward to the action unfolding in Perth this weekend as the countdown to the 2014 European Championships begin...
2013 West of England Regional Championships - Preview & Predictions
4BR Editor Iwan Fox looks forward to the battles for supremacy in Torquay this weekend.
2013 Yorkshire Regional Championships - Championship Section retrospective
4BR Editor Iwan Fox looks back on the drama, theatre and ethereal music making that gave Carlton Main their first Yorkshire title since 1999 in Bradford on the weekend.
2013 Yorkshire Regional Championships - Lower Section retrospectives
Iwan Fox and Malcolm Wood look back on the action in the First, Second, Third and Fourth Sections at Bradford on the weekend.
2013 Yorkshire Regional Championships - Gallery of the Bradford prizewinners
Images of the people and bands that took the prizes at Bradford this year.
2013 Yorkshire Regional Championships - Gallery from Bradford
Images of the two days of drama and excitement at St George's Hall in Bradford taken by 4BR editor Iwan Fox
2013 Yorkshire Regional Championships - Preview & Predictions
4BR Editor Iwan Fox looks forward to the action at St George's Hall - and makes his predictions on who he think's may end up in London and Cheltenham.
4BR Spotlight Interview - 5 minutes or so with Exit Brass!
Malcolm Wood catches up with the talented Belgian quartet Exit Brass!
4BR Interview - Stephen Roberts (Part 1)
In the first of two interviews, Chris Thomas talks to Stephen Roberts - a musician of who has made such a significent mark in both the orchestral and banding worlds.
2013 Regional Championships - Harmony, what harmony?
4BR Editor Iwan Fox looks forward to the action that will unfold over the coming weeks - thanks to a touch of unintended musical irony....
4BR Interview - Bernard Jones OBE
4BR Editor Iwan Fox meets a remarkable businessman who was able to use his success to benefit the great passions of his life.
2013 Welsh Open Entertainment Championship - Gallery from Porthcawl
4BR Editor Iwan Fox captures images of the action and prizes at the recent Welsh Open Entertainment Championship in Porthcawl.
2013 Action Medical Research Youth Entertainment Championship - retrospective
4BR's Malcolm Wood looks back at a great day of entertainment at Blackpool, where Youth Brass 2000 were pushed all the way to produce their contest winning Glenn Miller magic...
2013 Norwegian Nationals - Elite Division retrospective
4BR Editor Iwan Fox looks back on how an unbreakable desire to remain the champion gave Eikanger their 14th National title in Bergen.
2013 Norwegian Nationals - Postcard from Bergen
4BR Editor Iwan Fox wonders if the first signs of contesting cynicism are creeping ino the Norwegian banding culture, despite another wonderful event at the Grieghallen in Bergen.
2013 Norwegian Nationals - Gallery of the Elite Section action
Images of the Elite bands in action in the set work and own choices sections of the National Championships in Bergen this year...
2013 Norwegian Nationals - Gallery of the action at the Grieghallen
Images of the 2013 championships through the lens of 4BR Editor Iwan Fox....
2013 Norwegian Nationals - Gallery of the prizewinners
Images of the prizewinners in each of the sections at the Norwegian National Championships in Bergen this year.
2013 Yeovil Entertainment Contest - Retrospective
Daniel Wilmott looks back at a commanding victory for Flowers at an entertainment contest short on numbers but not on quaity at Yeovil.
2013 Action Medical Research Youth Entertainment Championship - Preview & prediction
Malcolm Wood looks forward to the brass band entertainment that is guarenteed to make everyone feel better in Blackpool on the weekend.
2013 Norwegian Nationals - Introduction to Bergen
All roads lead to the Grieghallen in Bergen this weekend - so don't miss the action even if you have to sit in front of your computer for two days...
2013 Norwegian Nationals - Elite Division preview & prediction
4BR will be in Bergen to witness brass band contesting in the elemental raw.....
2013 Norwegian Nationals - Elite Division runners & riders
10 brilliant bands will battle it out for glory in Bergen on the weekend.
2013 Norwegian Nationals - First Division preview & prediction
4BR casts its eye over the 11 bands hoping to make the step up and join the Elite bands in Norway this weekend.
2013 Norwegian Nationals - Second Division preview & prediction
Another cracking contest in store in the Second Division with 13 well matched bands all hoping to gain another step up the Norwegian promotion ladder.
2013 Norwegian Nationals - Third Division preview & prediction
There is plenty to look forward to in the Third Division - especially as it may be so difficult to separate the bands out.
2013 Norwegian Nationals - Fourth Division preview & prediction
As the Fourth Division enters its second decade of competition, the signs are that the Norwegians have got the contest formula right - thanks to plenty of musical ambition.
2013 Norwegian Nationals - Fifth Division preview & prediction
Norway continues to build on its latest contesting foundation stone with strength in numbers and musical ambition.
2013 Norwegian Nationals - The Winners: 1979 - 2012
Who has won what and when since the Norwegian Nationals started in 1979.
2013 Brass at the Guild - Gallery
The presentation of the awards in the Guild Hall, Preston
2013 Yeovil Contest - Octagon preview & prediction
4BR Editor Iwan Fox looks forward to the entertainment on offer in Yeovil on the weekend.
2013 Butlins Mineworkers Championship - Championship Section retrospective
4BR Editor Iwan Fox looks back on a contest which saw Virtuosi GUS start a new contesting winning chapter in their proud history book.
2013 Butlins Mineworkers Championship - Gallery
Photographer Phil Symonds was out and about enjoying the action from the Championship Section of the Skegness weekend...
2013 Butlins Mineworkers Championship - Skegness preview
4BR Editor Iwan Fox looks forward to taking a small step or two towards Skegness this weekend...
2013 Butlins Mineworkers Championship - Championship Section: Preview & Prediction
4BR Editor Iwan Fox looks forward to seeing who will be smiling like a robber the cops can't catch on Sunday night.
2013 Butlins Mineworkers Championship - First Section: Preview & Prediction
The winners here may well have to wait for the SS Carpathia to pick them up to take them to the bar for a celebratory drink after this deep sea marathon...
2013 Butlins Mineworkers Championship - Second Section: Preview & Prediction
Which band will welcome coming to grief in the Second Section - as 18 contenders tackle a bit of Victorian deathly celebration.
2013 Butlins Mineworkers Championship - Third Section: Preview & Prediction
There may only be a small field in the Third Section but quality always beats quantity...
2013 Butlins Mineworkers Championship - Fourth Section: Preview & Prediction
Who will get to grips best with the Pennine/Australian mix and match of Goff Richards colourful Saddleworth musical homage?
2013 Butlins Mineworkers Championship - Youth & Junior Ensemble: Preview & Prediction
Butlins commitment to encouraging the next generation of young brass playes is starting to pay real dividends.
4BR Dinner Guests - Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen
The Norwegian composer tells 4BR who he would have around his gaff to enjoy debating banding over whale meat and mashed peas washed down by a delicate Riesling wine...
2012 4BR Awards - The Results
The votes have been counted and the 2012 winners can be revealed...
4BR End of Year Reports - The top 20 pupils at the 4BR School
The Headmaster has finished writing his 2012 end of year reports on the 20 top ranked pupils in the 4BR sixth form school.
4BR Spotlight Interview - 5 minutes or so with Andrew Stevenson
4BR's Malcolm Wood spends a few New Year minutes with Andrew Stevenson, Foden's Youth Band's new Composer in Residence.
The Champions - Who won what in 2012
There were a lot of brass band contests in 2012. 4BR provides the definitive list of the bands that took away the victors laurels all over the world.
2012 4BR Awards - Introduction & Categories
A little later this year, but it gives you a full year to look back on before you vote in the categories to see who you think has been the best of the best in 2012.
2012 4BR Awards - Band of the Year
Who do you think should be awarded the accolade of 2012 Band of the Year, after a season in which the major prizes found themselves fairly evenly spread out once again?
2012 4BR Awards - Conductor of the Year
Which conductor made the biggest impression on the collective consciousness in 2012? There were hundreds of them plying their trade for certain.
2012 4BR Awards - Player of the Year
Which individual performer showed us their brilliance to best effect in 2012?
2012 4BR Awards - CD/DVD of the Year
Which recordings made you want to replace anything by X Factor wannabe Rylan on your ipod with a brass band recording during 2012?
2012 4BR Awards - Solo CD of the Year
Which solo performer tickled your fancy in 2012 with their latest release?
2012 4BR Awards - Lower Section/Youth Band of the Year
So many bands had a 2012 to remember - so which one deserves the accolade as Lower Section/Youth Band of the Year?
2012 4BR Awards - Newcomer of the Year
There was plenty of new talent on show in 2012 from players, conductors and bands, to composers, instruments and even new ways of presenting brass band contests.
2012 4BR Awards - Test Piece of the Year
Lots and lots of test pieces were performed in 2012 - some better than others it must be said. So which one was the best of the bunch though?
2012 4BR Awards - Contest Performance of the Year
Perhaps the most difficult of all the categories to choose the best from? Which contest performance stood out for you in 2012 - and it may not have been a winner.
2012 4BR Awards - 4BR Special Award - Howard Snell
In 2012 the 4BR Special Award goes to one of the greatest musicians ever to grace the brass band movement.
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Ammanford Town
We are looking for a BACK ROW CORNET and a BASS player to complete our line up. We are a hard working, friendly band, with a ...
Contests
National Championships of New Zealand
Date: 21-Jul-2013
Venue: New Plymouth
Concerts
Ireland Colliery Chesterfield Brass Band Big Band sounds
Date: 22-Jun-2013
Venue: The speedwell rooms staveley tickets £5 S43 3JL
Professional Cards
Mark Ford
B.Ed (Mus)
Conductor, Adjudicator
