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2013 4BR Awards — Newcomer of the Year

There was plenty of new talent on show in 2012 from players, conductors and bands, to composers, instruments and even new ways of presenting brass band contests.

4barsrest awardsAlways an interesting category this one - with such a diverse list of potential winners to choose from.

Although there was plenty of doom and gloom to report on, there were also plenty of people prepared to take a punt on doing something innovative too.

Our five come from differing areas of the banding movement.

Go to Voting:
http://www.4barsrest.com/awards/default.asp


Arcomis

Arcomis Brass Festival

Not all eyes and ears of the brass world were geared towards the Royal Albert Hall in October, as the ambitious Arcomis Brass Festival took place in Cardiff.

It attracted a brilliant line up of performers – from Tine Thing Helseth and Allen Vizzutti to Mnozil Brass and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.

Billed as ‘Brass without Boundaries’ the cognoscenti as well as the casual listener were treated to fabulous performances, great music and plenty to ponder - in a festival that challenged as well entertained.


Cory Academy

Cory Academy

A very different and welcome way of providing sustainable community based brass band music making.

This is no artificial ‘wear the tee shirt’ identity theft youth development - but an approach to set foundations to build on through hard work and organising from the number 1 ranked band in the world. It is a model that only works by week in week out commitment – not just once a month photo opportunities.

It is also a project that will enable long term sustainability in local, economically deprived areas, where social cohesion is just as important as making music.


Paris Brass Band

Paris Brass Band

With the European Championship due to take place in Lille in France in 2016, the emergence of the Paris Brass Band as an increasingly impressive contesting force is to be welcomed on both sides of La Mange.

The French National champion had to endure two terrible draws in Oslo, but despite the odd Gallic shrug of disappointment they were mightily impressive in ending eighth overall.

Not only did they give notice that they are full to brim with fine players led by an excellent MD, but that they also have a clear understanding of the very anglophile nature  of the brass band contesting environment. 2016 can’t come soon enough.


Eikanger in action

Eikanger Bjorsvik television series Korpsfiksert!

After 150 years of proud British brass band history was sunk by the execrable efforts of Sue Perkins in ‘A Band for Britain’, it should have come as no surprise that the Norwegians showed us how it should be done in 2013 with this excellent 8 part documentary series on national television.

This was all that the UK programme was not: intelligent, insightful and entertaining. Not once did it treat those taking part as figures of fun – one dimensional odd ball characters that inhabit a world of twee oddity, but as people who undertake their love for music making with a level of professionalism that any country should be proud of. 

See for yourself at: http://tv.nrk.no/serie/korpsfiksert


Ysgol Bontnewydd

Ysgol Bontnewydd Primary School

There are lots of great examples of very well run primary school level brass bands, but it is hard to think of one that has made such an impact as these North Walians in 2013.

At the National Youth Championships they produced a stunning performance programme in the Beginner’s Section to take the title, led by their MD Dylan Williams, who has been providing peripatetic brass teaching at the school for just two years.

However, the secret to the success was not just the brilliant youngsters, but that the band is linked to clearly defined learning programme that ensures that each child will be given opportunities to improve at their own pace and at the right level in coming years – all the way up through the Gwynedd & Mon Junior and Senior Bands – both of which also won awards at the event.



Dobcross Silver Band - Wardle Anderson Brass Band

Sunday 24 November • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane Dobcross OL3 5AD


The Hepworth Band - Christmas Brass & Voices

Saturday 7 December • Thornhill Parish Church, Dewsbury WF120JZ


Longridge Band - Christmas Concert

Saturday 7 December • Longridge Civic Hall, 1 Calder Avenue, Longridge, Preston PR3 3HJ


York Railway Institute Band - Voices & Brass Christmas Spectacular

Saturday 14 December • Selby Abbey YO8 4PU


Bilton Silver Rugby Band - Festive favourites - Music for Christmas.

Saturday 14 December • St Mark's Church, Bilton, Rugby CV22 7LX


HYDE BAND

December 1 • WE HAVE PLAYER VACANCIES (POSITIONS NEGOTIABLE) Come and join our friendly First Section Band based in the New forest, and enjoy working with our Musical Director: Ben Halstead on a varied programme of concerts and contest.


Bilton Silver Rugby Band

December 1 • Under our MD Brad Turnbull and with a varied and growing programme of events, Bilton Silver (Rugby) requires a euphonium player to join our Championship Section band. Rehearsals are held on Monday and Friday at 7-45pm in our own purpose built bandroom.


Olney Brass

November 28 • Olney Brass is currently seeking a talented player to fill the following vacancies, in order to strengthen their line up towards 2025 and beyond: . . PRINCIPAL EUPHONIUM. . . We are an ambitious and friendly 2nd section band in our 50th year.


Andy Wareham

BMus (Hons), MMus (Hons)
Conductor, Composer, Brass Tutor, Musicologist


               

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