Latest 4BR Review podcast
February 23
The latest live 4BR Review podcast will be aired on Wednesday 25th February at 7.00pm — so why not bookmark it and join us with your views as we preview of the 2026 Regional Championships and more...
Result: 2026 Welsh Open
February 23 • Wantage are in a winning frame of mind to claim the entertainment honours in Newport
Spring Festival tickets now on sale
February 23 • Tickets for the 104th British Open Spring Festival in Birmingham in May are now on sale — with discounts available.
Black Dyke's RNCM concert now on Wobplay
February 23 • The Yorkshire champion's concert appearance at the recent RNCM International Brass Band Festival can now be enjoyed on the Wobplay media platform.
Wright & Round: The Colours Fly (Wendy Nevard)
February 23 • A super upbeat opener which will add plenty of musical colour to any concert.
Results: 2026 NEMBBA Contest
February 23 • There were successful early Area runouts for Skelmanthorpe, South Yorkshire Police, Leicestershire Coop, Dronfield and Matlock.
London & SC Area line-ups confirmed
February 21 • The line-up of bands, conductors, judges and schedule are confirmed for the 2026 London & Southern Counties Area Championships in Stevenage next month.
Wallace spirit maintains free music demands on Scottish politicians
February 21 • A Music Manifesto for Scotland published by the Music Education Partnership Group aims to keep the commitment to free music tuition at the forefront of future political commitments.
Welsh contest season set for entertaining opener
February 21 • There will be a packed day of music making on show in Newport on Sunday as the contesting season in Wales kicks-off with a cross border entertainment battle.
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 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...
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.
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
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.
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 - 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
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
Chinnor Silver
February 23 • Our COMMUNITY BAND are meeting on MONDAY 2nd at 11am in our bandroom.. Join us for a relaxed friendly blow with coffee and cake as an added bonus.. Playing with us wont impact your No1 band so come along for a blow.
St Albans Brass Band
February 19 • TUNED PERCUSSION PLAYER Wanted. St Albans Band. Rehearsals Wednesdays 8 to 10pm. Varied programme of concerts, gigs and civic events throughout the year. Friendly, welcoming brass band. Experienced players and returners welcome. www.stalbansband.co.uk
St Albans Brass Band
February 19 • Bb BASS PLAYER Wanted. St Albans Band. Rehearsals Wednesdays 8 to 10pm. Varied programme of concerts, gigs and civic events throughout the year. Friendly, welcoming brass band. Experienced players and returners welcome. www.stalbansband.co.uk
Phillip Littlemore
GGSM, AoBBA Member
Conductor, Band Trainer, Adjudicator, Arranger, Teacher and Publisher