Live...
2026 Regional Championships
Wales (Swansea) and West of England (Torquay)
14-15 March 2026
Did brass bands really receive £31 million?
March 19
Arts Council England is reported to have paid out over £31 million to bands in the last three years, but the figures may not be all that they appear to be...
Ticket demand high for NYBBGB Easter showcases
March 19 • If you want to hear the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain in action this Easter the you had better be quick about getting a ticket...
Durham focus for North of England Area contenders
March 19 • 42 bands will take to the stage in Durham to try and claim their places at London and York later in the year.
Bands get ready for London & SC Area challenges
March 19 • Stevenage Arts & Leisure Centre will host 76 bands battling for National Finals qualification this weekend.
York National Finals schedule to be announced on 7th April
March 19 • Qualifiers for the Section 1-4 National Finals will find out on which day they will play next month.
Ticket price savings for National Youth Championships
March 19 • If you book your tickets on-line you can save hassle and money for a packed day of brilliant entertainment in Birmingham.
Pioneering spirit on show at Dutch Nationals
March 19 • A work inspired by the explorations of Marco Polo, Christopher Columbus, and Abel Tasman will test the Fourth Division bands at the Dutch National Championships this year.
Cory add to their percussion team
March 19 • Darcy Beck joins the ranks of the new Welsh Champion.
Seaside rendezvous in Lancashire
March 19 • A fantastic Brass at the Seaside initiative needs a bit of extra support if it is to keep entertaining the crowds on St Anne's Promenade.
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...
Take 5: A quintet of female works to be enjoyed on more than the one day a year
March 5 • 8th March marks International Women's Day. The 4BR Editor picks five compositions by female composers that deserve to be celebrated in performance all year around.
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.
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 - Slide Effect Trombone Quartet
Friday 20 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London. . W1C2DJ
Regent Hall Concerts - Welsh Guards Band Septet
Friday 20 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ
Enderby Band - Around the World in 80 Minutes
Friday 20 March • Wycliffe Rooms, George St, Lutterworth LE17 4ED
Contest: London & Southern Counties Regional Championships
Saturday 21 March • Arts & Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, Stevenage SG1 1LZ
Longridge Band - Spring Concert
Saturday 21 March • Longridge Civic Hall, 1 Calder Avenue, Longridge, Preston PR3 3HT
Tintwistle Band
March 18 • Tintwistle Band are looking for a 2nd euphonium and 2nd baritone player to help complete the team.. We rehearse Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our own bandroom on Old Road in Tintwistle, and perform a variety of concerts all year round.
Tintwistle Band
March 18 • Tintwistle Band are looking for a Soprano and front row cornet players to help complete the team.. We rehearse Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our own bandroom on Old Road in Tintwistle, and perform a variety of concerts all year round.
St John's Band (Mossley)
March 15 • We are a friendly, welcoming 4th section band based in Tameside, Greater Manchester. Following our 4th place at the North West regionals, we are looking for a SOLO CORNET player (position negotiable). We rehearse on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
Howard J Evans
MA (Dist), Mus.B (hons), ARCM (hons), LRAM, LTCL, PGCE
Conductor, composer, arranger, tutor and pianist