Live...
2026 Regional Championships
North West: Winter Gardens, Blackpool
Sunday 28 February
Results: 2026 North West Regional Championship
March 1
Titles go to Foden's, Haydock, Lostock Hall, Allerton Brass and Wardle Community Band in Blackpool.
rooms4gropups ready for Blackpool qualifiers
February 28 • The specialist hotel booking company will be on hand first thing on Monday morning to take the pressure of York and London qualifiers.
York and London on the horizon for North West Area contenders
February 28 • The 2026 Regional Championships get underway in Blackpool on Sunday with 75 taking to the stage at the Winter Gardens but with qualification sights on York and London.
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire set to welcome Elgar International Festival of Brass
February 28 • Brass Band Willebroek, Black Dyke Band, Flowers, Foden's and David Childs headline the musical attractions for a day of the very best brass band music making in June.
Youth fly musical flag for Old Boys
February 28 • A trio of talented young players from 1st Old Boys Band will be making their mark with different representative ensembles later this year.
National Finals to move to York
February 27 • The Section 1-4 National Finals will be held York Barbican this year as the contest heads north from Cheltenham.
11 bands face potential Norwegian national relegation
February 27 • Bands that failed to pay their annual NMF membership fee on time could find themselves relegated to the bottom tier of their National Championship.
French bands prepare for National challenges
February 27 • The 2026 French National Championships take place in Forges-les-Eaux in Normandy this weekend.
ISM to host Make Music Work conference day
February 27 • If you want to find out how to make a sustainable career in the music industry then get along to the ISM 'Make Music Work' conference day in London in April.
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 16
February 26 • Iwan and Chris look forward to the 2026 Regional Championships - the issues, music and tips for victory...
4BR Review - Episode 15
February 1 • Iwan Fox and Chris Thomas look back at the RNCM International Brass Band Festival as well as forward to the Norwegian Nationals and more...
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...
Interpreting the post Covid Area numbers: What's your answer?
February 28 • Are we really combating the decline of our competing numbers with the small sustainability changes and choices that are being made at the Regional Championships? Check the recent numbers and see what you think.
Beware shifting sands: The need for banding to read the warning signs
February 21 • Brass Bands England very nearly paid the price for not heeding the warning signs of shifting financial sands — but their close call can instil optimism for the future.
The Regional Championships: The bedrock of British banding
February 20 • As competitors prepare for the series of regional qualifying contests, Tim Mutum explains how they came about by hard work and persuasion, and why, 60 years ago, the whole thing nearly came crashing down.
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
Concert: Strike up the Band
February 14 • Ian Bousfield inspires as well as thrills with his display of consummate musicianship in Cardiff.
Concert: Brass Across Borders
February 4 • A fine night of music making in honour of a popular bandsman is enjoyed by a packed cross border audience in Manchester.
Concert: Brighouse & Rastrick Band
January 31 • Displays of compositional craftsmanship, ensemble quality and solo excellence round off the RNCM Festival.
| # | 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 |
Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band
Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ
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
Sunday 1 March • St. Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street. London SE10 9BJ
Regent Hall Concerts - London Central Fellowship Band
Saturday 7 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ
Regent Hall Concerts - Regent Hall Band of the Salvation Army
Tuesday 10 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ
West Wycombe Brass Band
March 1 • West Wycombe Brass Band are looking for Horn players, any position. Rehearsals Wednesday 7.45-9.45pm in own band hall. Give us a call or email.
Croy Silver Band
March 1 • Croy Silver Band currently has contest vacancies on Cornet and Percussion, but is always happy to accommodate enthusiastic new players in any section of the band.
Harlow Brass Band
February 27 • We are a friendly, non-contesting band who have the following vacancies:. Trombones, 2nd Horn, Back Row Cornets, Percussion. . We rehearse every Thursday in Harlow, 8-10pm and play at local events throughout the year.
Dr. Stephen Arthur Allen
D. Phil. (Oxon) [Ph.D Oxford University], GBSM, LTCL, ABSM, ALCM, Cert. Ed.