2026 Spring Festival
Town Hall and Jennifer Blackwell Hall, Birmingham
2-3 May 2026
May 16
Imogen Whitehead will give the world premiere of a new flugel horn concerto by Gabriel Jackson as part of her residency at the Ryedale Festival this year.
May 16 • The latest issue of the magazine is now out — packed with a comprehensive look at the banding world.
May 16 • If its a Sterling euphonium or a Smith Watkins cornet you are looking for this Summer then make sure you get in touch with Band Supplies.
May 15 • Hannah Plumridge is to become the new principal cornet of Grimethorpe Colliery Band as she ends a decade with Cory on a personal high.
May 15 • There are still a few places to sign up in London, Manchester and Birmingham to help you with your audition skills — and its all free.
May 15 • The MD of the Brass in Concert champion will lead the delegates at this year's Elgar International Brass Band Winter School.
May 15 • The success of the recent National Championships in Wellington forms the bulk of the current issue of 'Mouthpiece' — the on-line journal of the Brass Band Association of New Zealand.
May 15 • Callum Hathaway is the latest percussion signing for Tredegar.
May 15 • The experienced Dean Redfern has become the new MD at Hade Edge Band
May 11 • Iwan and Chris look at the wider contest issues that have arisen from the recent European Championships in Linz and Spring Festival in Birmingham.
February 26 • Iwan and Chris look forward to the 2026 Regional Championships - the issues, music and tips for victory...
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...
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.
April 23 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox takes a closer look at the set-works to be played this weekend from Thomas Doss, Andreas Ziegelback, Otto M Schwarz and Thomas Murauer.
April 21 • 4BR finds out more about the own-choice works to be performed by the bands in the Championship and Challenge Sections in Linz.
April 20 • Increased size and wider vision underpins EBBA's ethos behind its flagship event — but concerns about the direction of future travel remain...
April 8 • Simon Watts of the NYBBGB talks to composer Andrea Price ahead of the world premiere of her work celebrating the life and laughs of the unique Victoria Wood.
May 15 • A fine reminder of a musical polymath who linked brass bands to the wider musical world.
April 20 • There was nothing ordinary about the spirit of fun and fearlessness on display by the talented youngsters of the NYBBGB in Manchester.
April 19 • Traditional sounds of brass and voice provide a fine reminder of the qualities of hymn singing and march playing in Huddersfield.
| # | Band | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eikanger-Bjørsvik | 971.10 |
| 2 | Brighouse and Rastrick | 860.34 |
| 3 | Brass Band Treize Etoiles | 822.07 |
| 4 | Cory | 791.88 |
| 5 | Foden's | 711.59 |
| 6 | Flowers | 586.54 |
| 7 | Black Dyke | 547.59 |
| 8 | Brass Band Willebroek | 517.67 |
| 9 | Valaisia Brass Band | 471.82 |
| 10 | the cooperation band | 469.21 |
Saturday 16 May • St Andrew's Methodist Church. The Stow. Harlow. CM20 3AF
Sunday 17 May • Dorchester- Park Bandstand DT1 1RG
Sunday 24 May • Forest Town Arena. Clipstone Road West,. Mansfield NG19 0EE
Friday 29 May • Saddleworth & Tameside OL3
Saturday 30 May • Dewsbury Minster, Vicarage Road, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire WF12 8DD
May 16 • We're always happy to hear from anyone interested in joining a friendly and supportive band, whether you're returning to banding or looking for a new challenge.
May 15 • We are seeking an enthusiastic and musically skilled Associate Conductor to lead and develop our band alongside our current Musical Director Phil Goodwin. . Rehearsals are Mondays and Wednesdays, 8-10pm at Delph Band Club.
May 15 • We have a vacancy for a soprano cornet, and with lots of exciting engagements coming up we would love to get this seat filled!. We rehearse every Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our own bandroom in Tintwistle, under the baton of our superb MD, Jim Henson.

B Ed (Hons). Member AoBBA.
Conductor and Adjudicator.