National youth organisations build musical bridges across borders
January 27
The National Youth Bands of Great Britain and Switzerland have announced the third cohort of young players to be part of the Besson Horizons exchange programme.
Music Trust gains leading consultancy support
January 27 • Haigh Consultancy Services is backing the free access growth of a new generation of young brass players in Yorkshire.
BrookWright Music: All Your Anxiety (Edward Joy arr. Jonathan Rowsell)
January 27 • A work that explores the tension between human unease and the promise of peace found in faith.
Whitburn ready for cross border trip to English banding heartlands
January 27 • The Scottish champion will head to Manchester and Dobcross this weekend.
Yorkshire Area line-ups confirmed
January 27 • There will be 54 bands battling to become Yorkshire champions in Huddersfield in March.
Bont experience new signings and returnees
January 27 • Pontardulais Band will look forward to a busy start to the new contesting year boosted by additions to their ranks.
Kapitol issues Third Section Regional test-piece errata
January 27 • Competing bands and adjudicators will all have access to a comprehensive errata for the forthcoming Third Section Area test-piece.
New composition to be focal point of Pontypridd Festival
January 27 • A new work is hopefully being composed to celebrate a musical focal point of Pontypridd.
Radio: Touch of Brass
January 27 • It's a belated Burns Night celebration from Martin and Julie.
Black Dyke Mills Band: Classic Brass
£5.39£5.39
Brass from the Masters - Volume 1
£6.50£6.50
Still Glides the Stream
£11.25£11.25
4BR Review - Episode 14
January 16 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox is joined by Chris Thomas and special guest Dr David Thornton to preview the 2026 RNCM International Brass Band Festival in Manchester.
4BR Review - Episode 13
December 31 • Iwan and Chris announce the long list of nominations for the 2025 4BR Awards. Drum roll please...
4BR Review - Episode 12
December 5 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox and Chris Thomas explore the intriguing question of whether or not there has been a change in outlook in the music being performed at major contests, concerts and on recordings.
4BR Review - Episode 11
November 23 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox and Chris Thomas discuss whether or not UK banding can learn from the way in which our European friends host major championship competitions.
What the papers say: Brass bands and the mainstream media
January 22 • The banding movement has it challenges, but even the BBC Music Magazine seems to offer little in support of the efforts to break free of stereotypes
Take 5: A quintet of early seasons events to enjoy
January 2 • Five festivals, championships, concerts and contests to make a date in you diary to attend in January and February.
4BR Band of the Year: The conductor 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 2025 Band of the Year.
4BR Christmas Quiz: How good is your brass band knowledge?
December 26 • Thanks to our friends at Band Supplies and Besson we have a fantastic Prodige Cornet and gifts waiting to find a new home in 2026 — if you can get the answers right.
Concert: Foden's Band
January 24 • Foden's explore very different realms as they open the RNCM International Brass Band Festival.
CD review: European Brass 25
January 7 • Size matters even when European champion Brassband Willebroek provides evocative responses to questions big, small, sparkling and reflective.
LP review: A Tribute to Eric Ball OBE, ARCM
January 5 • A 45 year old reminder of the timeless qualities of a composer that the current brass band movement would do well to full re-evaluate.
| # | Band | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brass Band Treize Etoiles | 1,011.29 |
| 2 | Brighouse and Rastrick | 999.68 |
| 3 | Cory | 915.46 |
| 4 | Foden's | 790.99 |
| 5 | Eikanger-Bjørsvik | 788.12 |
| 6 | Flowers | 676.02 |
| 7 | Brass Band Willebroek | 638.58 |
| 8 | Black Dyke | 634.73 |
| 9 | Valaisia Brass Band | 612.47 |
| 10 | the cooperation band | 540.01 |
Dobcross Silver Band - Whitburn Band
Sunday 1 February • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD
Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships
Friday 6 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015
Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships
Saturday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015
Regent Hall Concerts - Oompah Brass XXL
Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ
Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band
Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ
Cambrian Brass
January 24 • We are a friendly, inclusive and hard-working brass band, welcoming players of all ages and abilities. We are particularly keen to fill our Soprano Cornet, Flugelhorn and EEb Bass positions.
Newtown Silver Band
January 24 • Newtown Silver Band are recruiting a Musical Director. We seek a leader with brass band experience who can motivate and develop players. A charismatic individual who can shape and deliver concert programmes to be enjoyed by both players and audience.
Newtown Silver Band
January 24 • Newtown Silver Band invites applications for the position of Musical Director.. The band rehearse every Thursday evening from 1930 - 2130 . The Musical Director will take a leadership role working with the senior band and will liaise with the training ban
Martin Heartfield
GGSM, ARCM, PGCE
Conductor, Adjudicator, Educationalist