2024 4BR Special Award
December 25
The award this year goes to Grethe W Tonheim, who continues to inspire with her playing, teaching and musicianship
2024 4BR Band of the Year
December 25 • So many great bands on top form during the year, but these were the three that stood out for our panel.
2024 4BR Conductor of the Year
December 25 • These were the top three MDs who created the performances to savour in the past year for our panel.
2024 4BR Player of the Year
December 25 • So many great individual performers on show this year, but this trio were exceptional.
2024 4BR Test Piece of the Year
December 25 • Plenty of test-pieces played across the banding world, but these were the three that made the greatest impression on our panel.
2024 4BR Lower Section Band of the Year
December 25 • All of the fantastic work being undertaken by bands below the elite level this year these were the three that stood out for our panel.
2024 4BR Contest Performance of the Year
December 25 • Of all the contest performances across the world, these were the three crackers that caught the ears of our panel.
2024 4BR Newcomer of the Year
December 25 • New initiatives and new figures made their mark on the banding movement that came to the fore in 2024 — but these were the three that impressed our panel most.
2024 4BR CD of the Year
December 25 • There were a host of excellent band recordings this year, but these were the three that made the greatest impression of our panel.
Odyssey Debut Flugelhorn
£449.00
Odyssey Debut Cornet
£359.00
Odyssey Premiere Tenor Horn
£849.00
Interview with Dr David Thornton
February 4 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox talks to RNCM International Brass Band Festival Artistic Director Dr David Thornton at the end of the 2024 event in Manchester.
Interview with James Gourlay and Emily Nicolas
February 3 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox talks to conductor James Gourlay and presenter Emily Nicolas after the performance of the RNCM Brass Band at the recent RNCM International Brass Band Festival
Interview with Ian Porthouse and Matthias Hofs
January 31 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox talks to Tredegar MD Ian Porthouse and soloist Matthias Hofs at the RNCM International Brass Band Festival
Interview with Simone Rebello
January 31 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox talks to Simone Rebello about this weekend's RNCM Day of Percussion
A brass band Christmas Carol: The same old tale or new hope for the future?
December 21 • What can the past 24 years of banding in the UK tell us about overcoming our present troubles to secure a bright future as 2025 looms.
2024 4BR Awards: Long List nominations
December 18 • These are the bands, conductors, performers, test-pieces, performances and recordings that are in the running for the annual 4BR Awards.
Dutch memories: Images from the 2024 Championship Section in Utrecht
October 28 • The great photographers from Warbermedia were on hand in Utrecht to capture the action on 'The Lost Circle' and its outcomes...
The Brass Band Conference 2024: A new measurement of success
October 21 • The Brass Bands England Conference spoke of an organisation confident in its creative approach to the communal challenges of the brass banding movement.
CD review: Joyfully!
December 11 • The ever inventive Duo GIOVIVO duo of Fabian Bloch and Muriel Zeiter bring a very particular inventiveness to their advent calendar of festive carols and tunes.
CD review: Elysian Fields
December 10 • Black Dyke and Jacob Vilhelm Larson explore the myths and legends of ancient Greece to the majesty of Mahler and nature with music very much of our times.
CD review: Violet Volume 2
December 9 • Brass Band Willebroek presents a potent testament to the enduring excellence of their musical partnership with MD Frans Violet.
| # | Band | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brass Band Treize Etoiles | 1,309.97 |
| 2 | Foden's | 1,053.75 |
| 3 | Cory | 811.30 |
| 4 | Black Dyke | 803.61 |
| 5 | Eikanger-Bjørsvik | 771.74 |
| 6 | Tredegar | 643.04 |
| 7 | Flowers | 553.76 |
| 8 | Brighouse and Rastrick | 494.42 |
| 9 | Valaisia Brass Band | 404.16 |
| 10 | Grimethorpe Colliery | 290.63 |
Longridge Band - Christmas Concert
Saturday 7 December • Longridge Civic Hall, 1 Calder Avenue, Longridge, Preston PR3 3HJ
The Hepworth Band - Christmas Brass & Voices
Saturday 7 December • Thornhill Parish Church, Dewsbury WF120JZ
Enderby Band - Broughton Astley Rock Choir
Friday 13 December • Thomas Estley Community College. 2 Station Road. Broughton Astley. Leicestershire LE9 6PT
Bedford Town Band - Bedford Town Band Brass Academy
Saturday 14 December • Putnoe Heights Church MK418EB
Newstead Brass - Christmas Showcase 2024
Saturday 14 December • St Wilfrid's Church, Church Street, Kirkby in Ashfield NG17 8LA
Wakefield Metropolitan Brass Band
December 24 • Solo Baritone Eb Bass and Percussion required to complete the line up building towards the NEMBBA and area contests. Under the Direction of Duncan Beckley, the band is keen to fill the few remaining seats.
Reading Spring Gardens Brass Band
December 19 • Current joint 1st place in the L&SC 4th section grading tables and 2024 4th section National Finalists. We have recently appointed a new MD and are now looking to fill a few empty seats! Rehearsals in Woodley (RG5) on Thursday evenings.
Dobcross Silver Band
December 14 • Looking for a new challenge in the New Year? . Dobcross Silver Band is a progressive and Successful 3rd section band on the lookout for a competent SOLO BARITONE PLAYER. If you are a team player you fit perfectly! Really enjoyable rehearsals here!
Phillip Littlemore
GGSM, AoBBA Member
Conductor, Band Trainer, Adjudicator, Arranger, Teacher and Publisher