New Year's Honour for Prof Michael Alcorn
December 30
The highly respected academic and musician has become a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the New Year's Honours list.
Nearly time to capture some of Tredegar's essence
December 30 • There is still time to win a workshop with Martyn Brabbins, Peter Moore, Gavin Higgins, Ian Porthouse, Dewi Griffiths, Sion Jones and more...
Webster and Rushworth to help life-long friend
December 30 • Roger Webster and Billy Rushworth will join forces with Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band to help raise urgent funds for the cancer treatment of a former colleague.
UniBrass CompComp26 reveals shortlist
December 30 • Four young composers will look to be crowned 2026 UniBrass Composition Competition winner.
Brassettes Podcast: Episodes 5 & 6
December 30 • Jo Behan meets up with Idun Carling and the female players of Desford Colliery Band for the final two episodes of her podcast series for 2025.
New Year brassing treats in store in Cardiff
December 30 • Players from a number of bands will join forces for a New Year's Brassing Around concert at Llandaff Cathedral
Hayes principal tenure ends at the cooperation band
December 30 • Two decades of, "exceptional musicianship and dedication" has come to an end at the Brass in Concert Champions, as Jim Hayes takes a final cooperation bow.
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.
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
Welwyn Garden City Band
December 30 • We are a friendly & sociable Second Section Band with an eye on the 2026 Areas. We have vacancies for a FRONT ROW CORNET player and PERCUSSIONISTS.. Our MD is Will Douglas and we rehearse in Welwyn Garden City on Sunday evenings from 7.00-9.00pm.
Oxted Band
December 30 • As we go into 2026, the band's 125th anniversary, we are seeking CORNET and TROMBONE players to fill our line-up. We are friendly and ambitious band with a wide variety of engagements, including three major concerts each year - check them out on YouTube.
Cambrian Brass
December 30 • We are a friendly, hard-working and inclusive brass band, and everyone is welcome. We currently have specific vacancies for Soprano Cornet, Solo Cornet, Flugelhorn and EEb Bass, but interest from players on any instrument is always very welcome.
Prof. Christopher Houlding
MMus, GGSM, LRAM
Conductor, Performer, Educator