4BR Christmas Quiz
December 26
How good is your brass band knowledge? Good enough to win a cornet and goodies for a young player?
2025 4BR Special Award: Richard Marshall
December 25 • One of the finest cornet players of this or any other brass band generation is the recipient of the 4BR Special Award.
2025 4BR Band of the Year
December 25 • One band once again stamped its class and authority on the banding world this year — with the promise of even more to come in 2026.
2025 4BR Conductor of the Year
December 25 • One conductor stood out on the podium from their counterparts this year.
2025 4BR Player of the Year
December 25 • So much individual talent shone in the banding world in 2025 — but one player was the shining star of them all.
2025 4BR Test Piece of the Year
December 25 • Lots of fine music to enjoy on the contest stage in 2025 at all levels, but it was a resurrected work that enjoyed an anniversary bonus.
2025 4BR Lower Section/Youth Band of the Year
December 25 • Such a wide range of bands doing great work on and off the contest stage this year — with a remarkable young band taking the honours.
2025 4BR Contest Performance of the Year
December 25 • In a year of contest winners — there was still one performance that claimed an extra first prize.
2025 4BR Newcomer of the Year
December 25 • An exciting year full as exciting new talent emerged in different fields and genres of the brass band movement.
Nyman Brass
£11.52£11.52
Music for Organ and Brass
£12.89£12.89
The World of the Brass Band
£11.96£11.96
The Yankee Brass Band
£13.75£13.75
Postcards from Grimethorpe
£13.50£10.12
Still Glides the Stream
£11.25£11.25
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.
4BR Review - Episode 11
November 23 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox and Chris Thomas discuss whether or not UK banding can learn from the way in which our European friends host major championship competitions.
4BR Review - Episode 10
October 21 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox and Chris Thomas look back at the 2025 Albert Hall National Championship.
4BR Review - Episode 9
October 10 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox and Chris Thomas preview the 2025 Albert Hall National Championship as well as look at the latest CD releases.
4BR Band of the Year: The conductor and players
December 29 • These are the performers who made a mark on 4BR in the last 12 months to book their place in the ranks of our 2025 Band of the Year.
4BR Christmas Quiz: How good is your brass band knowledge?
December 26 • Thanks to our friends at Band Supplies and Besson we have a fantastic Prodige Cornet and gifts waiting to find a new home in 2026 — if you can get the answers right.
The Baroness Hodge Arts Council England Report: A possible ACE hand for banding?
December 23 • Baroness Hodge has taken Arts Council England to task for stifling artistic innovation and creativity, so what could her recommendations mean for banding bodies who get ACE funding.
2025 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.
LP review: Tidings of Great Joy
December 19 • A festive reminder from Derek Broadbent and Brighouse & Rastrick that brass bands can still make a commercial mark on the wider listening public with a Christmas offering.
CD review: Dancing on the Sand
December 17 • A showroom tour around the polished models and star performers of the de haske brass band range led by a persuasive sales team in Philip Harper and Cory Band.
CD review: Fantasia - Works for Trumpet & Organ
December 12 • Matilda Lloyd provides an engaging extension of her musical style and substance with her latest joint enterprise release.
| # | Band | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brass Band Treize Etoiles | 1,051.10 |
| 2 | Cory | 970.90 |
| 3 | Brighouse and Rastrick | 910.39 |
| 4 | Foden's | 873.75 |
| 5 | Eikanger-Bjørsvik | 833.00 |
| 6 | Black Dyke | 724.03 |
| 7 | Flowers | 723.61 |
| 8 | Brass Band Willebroek | 653.72 |
| 9 | Valaisia Brass Band | 537.22 |
| 10 | Desford Colliery | 410.82 |
Newstead Brass - Brett Baker
Saturday 17 January • St Wilfrid's Church, . Kirkby-in-Ashfield NG17 8LA
The Hepworth Band - New Year Concert
Sunday 25 January • Christ Church, New Mill, Holmfirth HD9 7ER
Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships
Friday 6 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015
Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships
Saturday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015
Contest: London & Southern Counties Regional Championships
Saturday 21 March • Arts & Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, Stevenage SG1 1LZ
Dobcross Silver Band
December 29 • We are accepting applications for a 2nd BARITONE PLAYER after the Area contest in March.. As current NW Area 3rd Section Champions and 2025 National Champions we start our journey in the 2nd Section in 2026! Come and join our great Euph/Bari section!
Crewe Brass
December 22 • Crewe Brass are looking for PERCUSSION (TUNED and KIT) to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.
Crewe Brass
December 22 • Crewe Brass are looking for a BBb BASS player to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.
Gary Davies
Conductor, Band Trainer, Adjudicator