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2014 4BR Awards — Lower Section/Youth Band of the Year

So many bands had a 2014 to remember — so which one deserves the accolade as Lower Section/Youth Band of the Year?

The nominations from the 4BR team for consideration are...

Ebbw Valley

Ebbw Valley

The remarkable Gwent valleys contest juggernaut shows no sign of slowing down in its bid to reach its ultimate Championship Section destination.

Along the way they continued to pick up first prizes at just about every contest they entered in 2014 (9 more) - including the most commanding of Third Section National Championship victories at Cheltenham (adding to their 2013 Fourth Section success) under their inspirational MD, Gareth Ritter, and yet another Welsh League title.


Manger

Manger Skulemusikklag

Proof positive that the Norwegians really do know how to produce a brilliant youth band - and one even more remarkably, which gains all its players from just one school.

They produced a stunning performance set in winning the Development Section of European Youth Competition in Perth under MD, Thorgeir Thunstveit, with a display of mature musicality that was way beyond their tender years.


Beaumaris

Seindorf Beaumaris Youth

Welsh banding is certainly enjoying a purple period of success, but it is not just the ensembles of South Wales that are coming up with the title winning goods.

Packed to the rafters with talent and led by an inspirational MD, this is a band with a voracious appetite for hard work and musical excellence.

That was both seen and heard in winning the Action Research Entertainment title, the Newtown and North Wales contests - and most defiantly in wowing the crowds with their concerts at the Brass in Concert Championship.


Tullis Russell Trophies

Tullis Russell Mills Intermediate

If you are looking for a blueprint for long term banding success then you won’t go far wrong by copying what the Tullis Russell organisation is doing.

Clear headed thinking, achievable aims and objectives, hard graft and a musical ethos of enjoyment, permeate everything - and their shining gem in 2014 was their Intermediate Band.

They may have played in seven contests and won one - the Scottish Championship - but that wasn’t the sole reason for them taking to the stage. Others wanting to do things properly with youth development please take note. What a future beckons.


YOuth Brass

Youth Brass 2000

Talking of things to come - what fantastic playing futures have already been created for his remarkable young players over the last decade or more by Chris Jeans.

2014 saw them claim yet another Butlins Youth Championship title, gain victory at the British Open Brass at the Guild Hall contest and capture first prize in the Championship Section of the National Youth Championships.  Just the Action Research title eluded them - but what a year - and what a cracking band.



Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band at Petworth Heritage weekend

Saturday 20 September • Centre of Petworth Town GU28 OAH


Cheltenham Silver Band - Holst Birthday Concert

Saturday 20 September • All Saints Church, All Saints Road, Pittville, Cheltenham GL52 2HG


Dobcross Silver Band - Milnrow Band

Sunday 21 September • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards Big Band

Friday 26 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Brass Bands England - The Brass Band Conference

Saturday 27 September • Redhills Durham Miners Hall, Durham DH1 4BE


Haverhill Silver Band

September 17 • Haverhill Silver Band (Championship Section) seeks a FRONT ROW CORNET (position negotiable). This is a superb opportunity to join East Anglia's premier brass band for the L&SC area contest, the Senior Cup, Whit Friday and beyond.


Cheltenham Silver Band

September 16 • Required:. Musical Director : Cheltenham Silver Academy Band Following the relocation of our current conductor we are looking for a progressive, passionate and dedicated individual to lead our Academy Band, and to support our continued improvement.


Chinnor Silver

September 16 • We need a Bass player (either Bb or Eb) and a percussionist to join our happy team! The band is promoted to the first section in 2026 and were also 2025 Second section National Finalists. We rehearse on Wednesday evenings in our own bandroom in Chinnor


Phillip Littlemore

GGSM, AoBBA Member
Conductor, Band Trainer, Adjudicator, Arranger, Teacher and Publisher


               

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