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Last updated : 31-Dec-2006
Articles - 2006
Previews and retrospectives, articles and features. Full and in depth comment on the world of brass bands for 2006.
30-Dec-2006
4BR End of Term Reports - The top 25 pupils at the 4BR School
The 4BR Headmaster has been writing his 2006 end of term reports on the 25 top ranked pupils in the 4BR school. Which pupils will get an extra present for New Year from Mam and Dad and which ones will get a clip around the ear for their efforts.
25-Dec-2006
2006 4BR Awards - The Results
All had enough Christmas pud and turkey? Then sit back and relax as we reveal the award winners for 2006. Maestro please.....
24-Dec-2006
4barsrest Downunder - Band of the Year 2006
Who are the players (and conductor) we have chosen as the 4BRDU Band of the Year for 2006? There are some great performers chosen but do you agree with our choices?
6-Dec-2006
2006 4BR Awards - Conductor of the Year
Who do you think should gain the accolade as the best stickman (or woman) for 2006. There have been some pretty exciting talents on show on the podium in the past 12 months, but who do you think was the best?
5-Dec-2006
2006 4BR Awards - CD/DVD of the Year
There have been some fine recordings released by numerous band during the past 12 months, but which one did you think was the best of the lot. There was plenty to choose from.
5-Dec-2006
2006 4BR Awards - Solo CD of the Year
Some of the very best performers in the movement have released CDs this year, and all have been of fantastic quality. It's going to be a pretty difficult choice for you to make.
5-Dec-2006
2006 4BR Awards - Lower Section Band of the Year
Who was the best Lower Section/Youth Band in 2006 then? Some quite brilliant achievements during the past 12 months from lots of bands, so if you think your band were the best, then get voting.
5-Dec-2006
2006 4BR Awards - Newcomer of the Year
Which talent do you think made the biggest new impression on the banding scene during 2006? Lots to choose from as someone or something have created a real impression in the last 12 months.
5-Dec-2006
2006 4BR Awards - Contest Performance of the Year
Here is a real tricky one for you to vote on. What was the very best contest performance you heard during 2006 - and we don't just mean one that took the winners prize either. There is a possible endless selection to choose from...
5-Dec-2006
2006 4BR Awards - 4BR Special Award - Markus Bach
The 2006 4BR Special Award goes to Markus Bach, the architect behind the European Brass Band Championships and in 2006 the man who epitomised the belief that the contest had a future post the Besson collapse.
23-Nov-2006
2006 Brass in Concert Championship - Postcard
Newcastle and Gateshead are two of the most vibrant places in Europe - an ideal place then for a rejuvenated Brass in Concert Championships to put up the 'Full House 'signs'.
9-Nov-2006
2006 US Open Championships - Postcard
It seems the growth and improvement in the standard of banding at the US Open has been something to savour - a bit like the pizzas by all accounts.
10-Nov-2006
2006 US Open Championships - Retrospective
The US Open had a real trans Atlantic feel to it this year, but it was those lads and lasses from Central Florida who will take the Jumbo to the UK next week with thier home country entertainment title tucked into their belts once more.
7-Nov-2006
Letter from America - A view from across the pond
Ralph Pearce was a welcome visitor to the Royal Albert Hall this year, and the former music teacher now in charge of musical matters for the Salvation Army in Arizona brought his keen eye and well informed views to bear on the contest.
3-Nov-2006
2006 Pontins Championships - First Section Preview
It should be a keenly fought fight in the First Section as a whole raft of bands will make the trip to Prestatyn confident of picking up the top prize on Kenneth Downie's 'Music For the Common Man.'
1-Nov-2006
2006 Pontins Championships - Second Section Preview
In addition to the Championship Section, Sunday's offering comes in the form of what promises to be an entertaining Second Section with a well matched up field of bands tackling Darrol Barry's 'A Swiss Excursion', adjudicated by Roy Roe and Barry Thompson
31-Oct-2006
2006 National Championships - Retrospective
Every now and again, Grimethorpe Colliery (UK Coal) face a bit of an uncertain future and every time they produce a wonderful performance to win a National. Is it too much to ask they do it a bit more often than once every 14 years though?
3-Nov-2006
Spotlight Interview No. 1 - Riki McDonnell
Riki McDonnell. Most brass musicians world wide have heard of him and his many successes. But how many of us really know about the man behind the euphonium? Alexandra Kerwin gets up close and personal....
13-Oct-2006
2006 Tasmanian Band Championships - Contest Preview
Sir Stanley Burbury Centre, University of Tasmania in Hobart will be the venue for the 2006 Tasmanian Band Championships being held this weekend 14-15 October. The concert bands will compete on Saturday and the brass on Sunday.
6-Oct-2006
4BR Interview - Professor Edward Gregson
Christopher Thomas catches up with Edward Gregson to find out if after 16 years away from the brass band test piece genre he may be about to return.
6-Oct-2006
4BR Interview - Phil Lawrence
Anthony Banwell meets up with Phil Lawrence as he does battle in his very individual way to try and get a youth band set up in Essex every bit as good as any in the country.
13-Sep-2006
2006 British Open Championships - Postcard from Birmingham
Whatever the result, the lack of audience for some bands and even the judges not bothering to tell us why they made their decision, you could always end up back at the bar at Jury's Hotel and get the lowdown on the 154th British Open.
4-Sep-2006
2006 British Open Championships - The Composer
Philip Wilby has the happy knack of producing fantastic works for brass band. If you didn't know much about him, then you can read why he is held in such high regard in the music world.
8-Sep-2006
2006 British Open Championships - 154 facts and figures
4BR has updated our list of useless facts and figures about the British Open to bore the pants of your loved ones if you have a quiet moment or two thie weekend. It's a sure fire recipe to lose any fiends you may have...
4-Sep-2006
2006 British Open Championships - Be my Strength and Shield
4BR has updated its records to find out how the bands from the Grand Shield have fared over the years. Some have come and eventualy conquered whilst others haven't been so lucky and have even disappeared from the face of the banding earth.
4-Sep-2006
Steve Miles Kiwi Diaries - Part 2
2006 promised to be very busy year for me here in Dunedin. Now we are over half way through and the time has just flown by...
30-Aug-2006
2006 NSW State Championships - Junior Grades Retrospective
For us, this section was one of the highlights of the weekend. Starting at the early time (early for a Sunday, at least!) of 8.30am, it was pleasing to see a crowd of approximately 200 people in the auditorium to applaud the juniors onto the stage.
15-Aug-2006
Article - Is there nothing new under the Sun?
4BR has a look through the history books and finds that there really isn't anything new under the brass band sun - with the exception perhaps of performing monkeys at the National Championships.
15-Aug-2006
Brass on record - The Vinyl Years
Tim Mutum looks at the heyday of the brass band record industry, when four major labels produced recordings to meet the demand.
15-Aug-2006
Brass on record - The Budget Years
Tim Mutum looks back at a time when you could pick up good quality brass band records on user friendly budget basement labels.
15-Aug-2006
Brass on record - The Paxton Years
Tim Mutum starts a new series on 4BR about the history of brass band recording. He starts with a look at the most sought after records of all - those on the classic Paxton label.
10-Sep-2006
2006 NSW State Brass Band Championships - 26-27 August, Penrith
This weekend sees 26 brass bands line up for this years state titles. Few would argue with the magnificent choice of venue. The Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, Penrith should be great in terms of acoustic, comfort and organisational logistics.
6-Jul-2006
2006 English National Championships - Retrospective
Fodens Richardson finally got what they deserved on the weekend at the English Nationals. A far cry from what happened to Englands footballers in Germany, although the result wasn't as nail biting.
21-Jun-2006
Soapbox Rant - A National musical disgrace
Composer Phil Lawrence bemoans (and by heck does he bemoan) the short sighted decision to choose 'Judges of the Secret Court' for the National Finals. From Berlioz to The New Seekers - they all get it in the neck...
13-Jun-2006
The Nationals - Questions for the future
Kapitol Promotions have secured ownership of the titles associated with the National Finals. Will that mean security for our greatest event or a period of uncertainty?
9-Jun-2006
Whit Friday 2006 - A one off experience
Malcolm Wood looks forward to the Whit Friday experience once more. Plenty of bands, prize money and lots of great music on a day that does have a greater meaning.
23-May-2006
Chris Bowman - In the UK
After just over a week in the UK, Chris has experienced the local Guiness, Chippers - oh... and lots of brass banding!
17-May-2006
2006 Spring Festival - Grand Shield retrospective
Aveley and Newham certainly showed the rest of the banding world that London bands can win major brass band contests, even if they did have to celebrate without the aid of some jellied eels and a couple of Pearly kings in Blackpool.
18-May-2006
2006 Spring Festival - Senior Cup retrospective
There was much discussion before the event to how the bands were going to cope with 'Harmony Music'. After it, they were still talking about it too, although the judges thought that one performance stood out from the rest.
17-May-2006
2006 Spring Festival - Senior Trophy retrospective
A Scottish composer, a Scottish winner, a Scottish judge and even their National football team ended up winning a cup on the weekend. It seems things are looking up north of the border, and Rob Richardson was on hand to witness it all.
17-May-2006
British Federation of Brass Bands - AGM
John James was welcomed to the Annual General Meeting of the BFBB this year and heard an upbeat, but realistic assessment of their work and future plans.
16-May-2006
The Kavanagh Journey - Banding for an Aussie
A year ago Rob from Adelaide, South Australia, set off to the Great Brass Band Land. Chris Bowman from 4BRDU caught up with him in Blackpool and here's the update on the Journey.
12-May-2006
4BR Interview - Philip Sparke
Chris Thomas speaks to the man who has brought us some of the most memorable works for brass band, and whose next major work will feature at the forthcoming English National Championships.
12-May-2006
Computer Music - The myth and the reality
Composer Tim Paton looks at the myths and realities of writing music in the computer age. They certainly don't make writing good music any easier for one...
12-May-2006
4BR Interview - Phil Lawrence rides again!
Phil Lawrence has been up to his neck with music, aliens, pop and rock and getting his next belt on his quest for Karate expertise. Anthony Banwell caught up with him to find out what he has been up to.
11-May-2006
2006 Spring Festival - Senior Cup Runners and Riders
20 quality bands line up here to tackle a very difficult set work, and try to gain one of the four promotion places to the Grand Shield. Some famous names mix with some rising stars for what should be a keenly fought contest.
9-May-2006
2006 Spring Festival - The Adjudicators
Six men, good and true will make the decisions this weekend, although we don't knw as yet what combinations they will be in. Have guess though...
3-Apr-2006
Downunder Rankings - April 2006
Our first Downunder Rankings update for 2006 includes results from Otago Southland Regional contest. Results for 2001 have been removed from the table.
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