Ticket demand increases capacity for RNCM concerts
January 17
High demand for tickets has seen the RNCM open its concert hall balcony for concerts at the forthcoming International Brass Band Festival.
Realism provides catalyst of hope for future for Llwydcoed
January 17 • Despite having to withdraw from contesting for the foreseeable future, Llwydcoed Band is determined to build on new foundations to serve their community.
AoBBA launch Development Programme
January 17 • A rebranded Development Programme brings added benefits to potential new adjudicator recruits.
Gregson recording prelude to RNCM festival tribute
January 17 • Soloists Ross Knight, Rachel Roberts and Jennifer Galloway have been recording major concerto works of Edward Gregson with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra under Ben Gernon.
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Parliamentary recognition for Spennymoor
January 17 • The community work undertaken by the Spennymoor Band organisation has gained plaudits in the House of Commons.
2025 RNCM International Brass Band Festival: Interview with Michael Fowles
January 16 • We speak to the Foden's MD about the works that the Sandbach Band will feature in their forthcoming RNCM International Brass Band Festival appearance.
BrookWright Music: Second Quartet — A Hint of Bach (Kenneth Downie)
January 16 • Bring a little inventive Bach to your concert programmes with this new quartet work by Kenneth Downie.
New trophy to be presented at Midlands Area Championships
January 16 • A new trophy in memory of player Nicola Hand will be presented to the Best Instrumentalist in the Fourth Section at this year's Midlands Regional Championships.
Sparke of extra interest on the BBC
January 16 • Brass band music and composers are getting more air time on BBC Radio 3.
Odyssey Debut Flugelhorn
£449.00
Odyssey Debut Cornet
£359.00
Odyssey Premiere Tenor Horn
£849.00
Interview with Dr David Thornton
February 4 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox talks to RNCM International Brass Band Festival Artistic Director Dr David Thornton at the end of the 2024 event in Manchester.
Interview with James Gourlay and Emily Nicolas
February 3 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox talks to conductor James Gourlay and presenter Emily Nicolas after the performance of the RNCM Brass Band at the recent RNCM International Brass Band Festival
Interview with Ian Porthouse and Matthias Hofs
January 31 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox talks to Tredegar MD Ian Porthouse and soloist Matthias Hofs at the RNCM International Brass Band Festival
Interview with Simone Rebello
January 31 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox talks to Simone Rebello about this weekend's RNCM Day of Percussion
Athena Brass: A unique beacon of excellence
January 10 • The all female brass band will make their much anticipated debut at the RNCM International Brass Band Festival under the direction of Jessica Sneeringer.
Take 5: Five early season events not to miss
January 6 • Five highlights to try and get to if you can in January and February.
4BR Band of the Year: The conductors and players
December 29 • These are the performers who made a mark on 4BR in the last 12 months to book their place in the ranks of our 2024 Band of the Year.
Time to test your musical knowledge: 2024 4BR Christmas Quiz
December 26 • It's time to test your musical knowledge as thanks to our friends at Besson and Band Supplies we have a Besson Prodige Cornet up for grabs for you to pass onto a youth/learner or training band if you can get the answers right.
Music review: Little Suite (Trevor Duncan arr. Phil Lawrence)
January 12 • Trevor Duncan's perfect example of light music craftsmanship recalls an age and style of composition that deserves to be brought back into the concert spotlight.
CD review: Resurget Cineribus
January 4 • Five Lakes Silver build on contesting success with a release of bold confidence under MD, Christopher Ward.
LP review: Concerto
January 2 • John Foster Black Dyke Mills Band. Conductor: Major Peter Parkes. Soloists: Robert Childs, Norman Law, Philip Shaw, Sandy Smith, Roger Webster. Chandos Recordings: BBRD 1037
| # | Band | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Foden's | 1,265.59 |
| 2 | Brass Band Treize Etoiles | 1,202.20 |
| 3 | Cory | 1,135.50 |
| 4 | Flowers | 989.86 |
| 5 | Black Dyke | 861.38 |
| 6 | Eikanger-Bjørsvik | 750.86 |
| 7 | Brighouse and Rastrick | 652.77 |
| 8 | Tredegar | 633.57 |
| 9 | Valaisia Brass Band | 533.32 |
| 10 | Brass Band Willebroek | 288.84 |
The Hepworth Band - Hepworth Band New Year Celebration Concert
Sunday 26 January • Christ Church, New Mill, Holmfirth HD97ER
Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships
Friday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015. N-5015
Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships
Saturday 8 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015
Haverhill Silver Band - Concert in Clare Church
Saturday 8 February • St Peter and St Paul Church, Clare, Suffolk CO10 8NY
Contest: North West Regional Championships
Sunday 23 February • Winter Gardens Complex, Church Street, Blackpool FY1 1HU
Kingdom Brass
January 17 • KIT PLAYER. Looking for a new start in 2025?. Kingdom Brass invites applications for a Kit Player specialist.. The band will be competing at the Scottish Championships, the Spring Festival, and the Scottish Open, local competitions and other events..
Kingdom Brass
January 17 • TUNED PERCUSSIONIST. Looking for a new start in 2025?. Kingdom Brass invites applications for a Tuned Percussionist.. The band will be competing at the Scottish Championships, the Spring Festival, and the Scottish Open, local competitions and other events..
Kingdom Brass
January 17 • FRONT ROW CORNET. Looking for a new start in 2025?. Kingdom Brass invites applications for a Solo Cornet, pos negotiable.. The band will be competing at the Scottish Championships, the Spring Festival, the Scottish Open, local competitions and other events.
John Durrant
MA LLCM TD CertEd (Dist)
Conductor, Band Trainer, Composer, Trumpet and Cornet Soloist, Arranger, Adjudicator