2025 National Youth Championships
Hymers College, Hull
Live updates from Hull
29 March 2025
Echoes of the fjord to be heard in Stavanger
April 3
The Gala Concert at the forthcoming European Championships in Stavanger will evoke the folk music sounds of the fjords with a brass band twist.
Andrea Price appointed to Kapitol Music Panel
April 3 • The critically acclaimed musician joins the Kapitol Music Panel to help select future Regional and National test-pieces.
Welsh bands urged to attend Safeguarding seminar
April 2 • A special Safeguarding Training Seminar is to be hosted by the South East Wales Brass Band Association this weekend, with bands urged to attend.
Cheltenham National Final schedule announced.
April 2 • The weekend of the 13th and 14th September will see 75 bands take to the stage.
World Music Contest announces test-pieces
April 2 • Works by Jan de Haan, Lucy Pankhurst, Etienne Crausaz, Thierry Deleruyelle and Liz Lane will test bands wishing to be crowned World Champion in Kerkrade next year.
95 year old leads Carlton Area celebrations
April 2 • The remarkable Ken Dunkin led the celebrations as CarLton Brass recently won the Midlands Region Second Section title in Bedworth.
Marshall heads to New Zealand
April 2 • The Black Dyke Band principal cornet will fly across the globe to give masterclasses, concerts and tuition.
Report & Results: 2025 Scottish Solo & Ensemble Championships
April 2 • The cream of Scotland's playing talent was on show in Glasgow last weekend.
Whitburn Band add to Football Focus
April 2 • The Scottish Champion added to the view from the terrace for the popular football show .
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
2025 Regional Championships: Preview
February 19 • Stoicism and stubbornness still defies change, but there is still much to admire about the 80th anniversary of the Regional Championships this year.
2025 Regional Championships: Test piece reviews
February 18 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox finds out more about the works from Derek Bourgeois, Morley Calvert, Oliver Waespi, Jacob de Haan and Andrea Price that will test National Final qualification aspirations over the next few weeks.
Wilfred Heaton: His Life - His Music (Part 2)
February 17 • In the second extract from his critically acclaimed biography, Paul Hindmarsh charts Wilfred Heaton's musical apprenticeship.
The Howarth Legacy: 2025 RNCM International Brass Band Festival
January 23 • Whilst the banding movement says it owes Elgar Howarth a debt of gratitude, it is a good job the RNCM Festival has been run by people who actually shared his vision.
CD review: Beyond the Paradox
March 23 • Tim De Maeseneer's major ambitions to project the tenor horn into a different sphere are fully justified with substantial release.
CD review: Neoteric Ensemble: Volume 1
March 22 • A joyful melange of quirkiness and serious observations from the ever inventive six-piece ensemble.
Concert: RCM Brass Band
February 15 • A renewed strengthening of the historical connections between between brass banding and the Royal College of Music is impressively embossed by the current crop of performing talent.
| # | 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 |
Hathersage Band - Hathersage Village Spring Concert
Saturday 5 April • Hathersage Methodist Church, Main Road, Hathersage S32 1BB
Bilton Silver Rugby Band - Bilton Silver at the Musicals
Saturday 5 April • St Andrew's Church, Rugby CV21 3PT
Rushden Town Band - Hope Spring Concert
Saturday 5 April • Hope Methodist Church, Linnets Lane, Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire NN10 8DE
Regent Hall Concerts - The Central Band of the Royal Air Force
Friday 25 April • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London. . W1C2DJ
Newstead Brass - Under Gaia
Saturday 26 April • Mansfield Palace Theatre. Leeming Street . Mansfield. Nottinghamshire NG18 1NG
Putney and Wimbledon Brass Band
April 3 • Putney & Wimbledon Brass Band is on the rise! We're off to Cheltenham for the 3rd year running and will be promoted to the 2nd Section. We need YOU to help us go even further! We play ambitious music under a great conductor and are a very sociable bunch.
Simon Langton Brass
April 1 • Due to forced retirement - Simon Langton Brass (Conductor Keith Demetriou Twyman) has a vacancy for an experienced back row cornet player. Position is negotiable as is a willingness to share your experience with our next generation of cornet players!
Ibstock Brick Brass
April 1 • Midlands Area Champions IBB have an opening for a full-time Tuba player (position negotiable) . . Ambitious and enjoying a varied concert/contest program, IBB are looking forward to the third section finals 2025. Rehearsals Mon/Thu in Coalville, M1 J22
Darren R. Hawken
PGdip, BMus(hons) PGCE, dipABRSM, LRSM
Conductor, Arranger, Teacher, Adjudicator, Band Trainer