Articles /2017
2017 4BR Band of the Year — Our pick of the best for 2017
December 24, 2017
Who are the conductors and players chosen by the 4BR Editor to be part of the 2017 4BR Band of the Year?
2017 4BR End of Year Reports — The top 20 pupils at the 4BR School
December 22, 2017
The return of the Headmaster’s 'End of Year' reports on the 20 top ranked pupils in the 4BR sixth form school.
2017 Review — Are the banding elite increasing the class divide?
December 12, 2017
In the first of a series of articles looking back at the year, 4BR Editor Iwan Fox wonders if 2017 has seen an elite echelon of bands create an unbridgeable gap between themselves and the rest of the contesting masses?
2017 Brass In Concert — Contest gallery
November 27, 2017
Selection of images from this year's 2017 Brass In Concert Festival
2017 Brass in Concert Championships — Preview & Prediction
November 18, 2017
The best showbiz bands in the world are back in Gateshead to showcase their brands of free of artistic restriction entertainment.
2017 National Championships of Great Britain — Contest gallery
October 18, 2017
Selection of images from the contest, as it happened,at this year's 2017 National Championships of Great Britain
2017 National Championships of Great Britain — Prizewinners gallery
October 17, 2017
Selection of prize giving images from this year's 2017 National Championships of Great Britain
2017 National Championships of Great Britain — Podium adjudications
October 16, 2017
What the judges wrote about the top three bands Brighouse & Rastrick, Tredegar and Cory at the Royal Albert Hall on the weekend.
2017 National Championships of Great Britain — Championship Section - As it happened
October 15, 2017
All the action from the 2017 National Championships of Great Britain - Championship Section - As it happened.
2017 National Championships of Great Britain — Championship Section preview & prediction
October 12, 2017
4BR Editor Iwan Fox looks forward to a battle of musical intellect and artistry on Howard Snell's masterfully hung 'Gallery' of portraits at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday.
2017 National Championships of Great Britain — Gallery test piece review
October 11, 2017
4BR Editor Iwan Fox finds Howard Snell's Gallery exhibition to be a wonderfully uplifting experience of authentic artistic and compositional provenance.
The Palanga iceberg — Can EBBA steer a course to safety following its 2019 Euro decision?
October 9, 2017
4BR Editor Iwan Fox wonders if EBBA is heading towards disaster, or can it find a way clear of being terminally holed beneath its bows over its decision to head to Montreux?
4BR Interview — WO Class 1: Andrew Porter
September 26, 2017
4BR Editor Iwan Fox meets up with Andrew Porter to find out more about his musical background and why a career in the Army has enabled him to carry on doing what he loves best...
2017 National Championships of Great Britain — Section 1 - As it happened
September 17, 2017
All the action from the 2017 National Championships of Great Britain - Section 1 - As it happened.
2017 National Championships of Great Britain — Section 2 - As it happened
September 17, 2017
All the action from the 2017 National Championships of Great Britain - Section 2 - As it happened.
2017 National Championships of Great Britain — Section 3 - As it happened
September 17, 2017
All the action from the 2017 National Championships of Great Britain - Section 3 - As it happened.
2017 National Championships of Great Britain — Section 4 - As it happened
September 17, 2017
All the action from the 2017 National Championships of Great Britain - Section 4 - As it happened.
2017 National Championships of Great Britain — Fourth Section preview & prediction
September 12, 2017
An imaginary ballet from the pen of a master craftsman will keep 20 contenders on their 'en pointe' toes on Saturday afternoon.
2017 National Championships of Great Britain — Third Section preview & prediction
September 13, 2017
Its a legendary tale of love, music and swimming with gourds for arm bands that tests the contenders in the Third Section. But who will enjoy the same happy ending?
2017 National Championships of Great Britain — Second Section preview & prediction
September 14, 2017
A stern test awaits the Second Section bands in Cheltenham - although hopefully none of the bands will need any spiritual intervention to lead them to National success.
2017 National Championships of Great Britain — First Section preview & prediction
September 12, 2017
Eric Ball's 'Tournament for Brass' provides a wonderful opportunity for listeners, conductors and players to enjoy a masterful piece of brass band writing.
2017 British Open Championship — Prizewinners gallery
September 14, 2017
Selection of images of the top 6 from this year's 2017 British Open Championship.
2017 British Open Championship — As it happened
September 9, 2017
All the action from the 2017 British Open Championship - As it happened.
2017 British Open Championship — Podium adjudications
September 11, 2017
This is what the judges had to say in their written remarks about the top three bands at the 165th British Open Championships in Symphony Hall.
2017 British Open Championship — 165th British Open preview & prediction
September 7, 2017
A rejuvenated contest could well leave more than just the winners with a smile on their faces this weekend in Birmingham.
2017 British Open Championship — Fraternity - test piece review
September 4, 2017
Thierry Deleruyelle's 'Fraternity' may recall unimaginable, destructive loss - but it is also a work filled with a sense of dignified hope.
The 4BR Spotify Playlist No.2 — Harry Mortimer
September 3, 2017
A playlist of the great Man of Brass both conducting and playing in an era when style came with substance.
Feriespel — How Eikanger help to inspire the next generation of Norwegian players
August 21, 2017
A summer school with a difference has enabled the European Champions to inspire youngsters to enjoy brass band music making for the rest of their lives.
Arthur Stubbs — The soprano player who once filled Old Trafford
August 20, 2017
Forget the claims of Ronaldo, Rooney and the rest. 100 years ago it was a soprano player from Foden's Band who fans came to see play at Old Trafford.
4BR Interview — LCpl Nick Mott
August 18, 2017
Iwan Fox talks to LCpl Nick Mott of the Coldstream Guards and Virtuosi GUS Band to find out more about life as professional musician in the Corps of Army Music.
The end of the high-wire antics? — Does an exciting new soprano era beckon?
August 16, 2017
4BR Editor Iwan Fox wonders if a combination of more thoughtful composition and flexible players with open minds could lead to an exciting new future for the soprano cornet in top level banding.
Five out of six Freds — The tale of the missing Foden's MD
August 11, 2017
Allan Littlemore recalls the tale of a missing Fred Mortimer statuette and his hopes of finding one more...
Unearthing musical gems — Exploring the hidden secrets of the Black Dyke library
June 30, 2017
Black Dyke's Heritage Lottery Funded project will see some of its greatest musical treasures enjoy the long awaited light of day.
2017 Whit Friday preview — Making the magic and the money come together
June 8, 2017
4BR's Malcolm Wood looks ahead to the Whit Friday contests and wonders what would happen if there was no brass band magic money tree to sprout prizes each year?
Utrecht 2018 — ZIMIHC to lead the European Championship Festival experience
June 8, 2017
The welcoming Dutch city of Utrecht will host the 2018 European Championships - and its a great place to visit and enjoy the best of brass.
4BR Interview — James Fountain
May 31, 2017
Malcolm Wood talks to James Fountain, Principal Trumpet of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra - who remains a proud bandsman at heart.
The 4BR Spotify Playlist No. 1 — Classic Black Dyke Mills
June 1, 2017
4BR launches a new feature to enjoy - starting with classic tracks from the era of Black Dyke Mills Band.
BrassEX — A new way to explore the world of recording
June 8, 2017
A brand new exhibition and networking event will be held in Sheffield in June - designed to help bands explore fantastic recording opportunities. And it is free!!
2017 All England Masters International — As it happened
May 28, 2017
All the action from the 2017 All England Masters International - As it happened
The Elliott Professional Euphonium Plus — Quality in every respect
June 8, 2017
Kim Holly Thorp-Simpson has been putting the Elliott Professional Model Euphonium Plus through its paces - and its quality in every aspect has shone through.
Brass for Africa Blog: No 2 — Comments on Culture
May 25, 2017
In the second of her blogs in her Brass Development Fellowship role with the Brass for Africa Charity, Dr. Taylor Hughey talks about the cultural differences and challenges in teaching and inspiring young musicians in Uganda.
2017/2018 Rayburn Tours — A new website for fantastic destinations
June 8, 2017
Group tour operator, Rayburn Tours has launched its new website and has a host of brilliant destinations for bands to consider for truly memorable tours in 2017 and 2018
2017 Spring Festival — Grand Shield - As it happened
May 13, 2017
All the action from the 2017 Spring Festival Grand Shield - As it happened
2017 Spring Festival — Senior Cup - As it happened
May 13, 2017
All the action from the 2017 Spring Festival Senior Cup - As it happened
2017 Spring Festival — Senior Trophy - As it happened
May 13, 2017
All the action from the 2017 Spring Festival Senior Trophy - As it happened
2017 Spring Festival — Grand Shield preview and prediction
May 11, 2017
4BR Editor Iwan Fox takes closer look at the challenge that awaits the bands on Stephen Roberts' 'Reflections on Swan Lake' - and tries to pick two British Open qualifying lead roles...
2017 Spring Festival — Senior Cup preview and prediction
May 11, 2017
4BR Editor Iwan Fox takes a closer look at the Peter Meechan's 'Fragile Oasis' and tries to pick the four bands that may just give the best musical view of the Blue Planet in the vast blackness of space.
2017 Spring Festival — Senior Trophy preview and prediction
May 11, 2017
4BR Editor Iwan Fox takes a closer look at a classic time capsule of teenage musicality from Gilbert Vinter and tries to pick a quartet of potential qualifiers in the process.
2017 Spring Festival — Introduction to Blackpool
May 11, 2017
4BR Editor Iwan Fox looks forward to a test of musical character right out of the purgatory imagination of Dante...
2017 European Championships — Youth Section - As it happened
April 30, 2017
All the action from the 2017 European Championships - Youth Section - as it happened.
2017 European Championships — Challenge Section - As it happened
April 30, 2017
All the action from the 2017 European Championships - Challenge Section - as it happened.
2017 European Championships — Championship Section - As it happened
April 30, 2017
All the action from the 2017 European Championships - Championship Section - as it happened.
2017 European Championships — Introduction to the 40th Championships
April 25, 2017
Despite the fraying at the European edges, EBBA's flagship event still remains an Article 50, WTO rules free zone for now...
2017 European Championships — Championship Section preview & prediction
April 25, 2017
4BR Editor Iwan Fox looks forward to what should be a memorable battle for the European title in Oostende.
2017 European Championships — Test Piece Review: Where Angels Fly
April 25, 2017
4BR Editor Iwan Fox finds out more about the Championship Section set-work 'Where Angels Fly' - written by composer Kevin Houben and inspired by the father of Belgian wind music Paul Gilson.
2017 European Championships — Championship Own Choice selections
April 25, 2017
4BR Editor Iwan Fox finds out a little more about each of the top flight own-choice selections being played at this year's event in Oostende.
2017 European Championships — Challenge Section & European Youth Championship
April 25, 2017
4BR Editor Iwan Fox looks forward to the action in the Challenge Section and European Youth Championships in Oostende.
2017 Australian National Championships — As it happened
April 16, 2017
All the action from the 2017 Australian National Championships - as it happened.
4BR Talking Point — Future tests of character
April 6, 2017
Sandy Smith puts forward his opinion that this year's test-piece selections have highlighted a serious erosion in playing abilities at all levels - and comes up with some musical choices that he believes may benefit us all.
2017 National Youth Brass Band Championships of Great Britain — As it happened
April 2, 2017
All the action from the 2017 National Youth Brass Band Championships of Great Britain - as it happened.
2017 National Youth Brass Band Championships of Great Britain — Salford Preview
March 31, 2017
Brass Bands England's flagship contest is a great event - so why can't it be shouted about from the rooftops. 4BR Editor Iwan Fox looks forward to the contest and asks a few questions why?
The record breaker — 31 Championship Section Area titles and counting...
March 24, 2017
4BR Editor Iwan Fox talks to Prof Nicholas Childs of Black Dyke as he looks back on becoming the most successful Championship Section winning conductor in Regional Championship history.
Heritage innovation — How brass bands can make their history come to life
March 21, 2017
4BR talks to Carole Hirst about her work in helping bands access Heritage Lottery Funding to preserve and celebrate their history for future generations to enjoy.
2017 London & Southern Counties Regional Championships — As it happened
March 19, 2017
All the action from the 2017 London & Southern Counties Regional Championships - as it happened.
2017 Welsh Regional Championships — As it happened
March 19, 2017
All the action from the 2017 Welsh Regional Championships - as it happened.
2017 Wales and London & Southern Counties Regional Championships — Contest previews
March 15, 2017
4BR looks forward to the last weekend of Regional Championship action in Swansea and Stevenage
2017 Wales and London & Southern Counties Regional Championships — Championship Sections
March 15, 2017
4BR looks forward to the Championship Section battles on 'Pageantry' in Swansea and Stevenage this weekend.
2017 Wales and London & Southern Counties Regional Championships — First Section previews
March 15, 2017
4BR looks forward to the antipodean inspired battles for Cheltenham qualification places in Swansea and Stevenage on Philip Sparke's fine test-piece.
2017 Wales and London & Southern Counties Regional Championships — Second Section previews
March 15, 2017
4BR looks forward to a friendly renewal of banding hostilities of Dean Goffin's timeless 'Rhapsody in Brass'.
2017 Wales and London & Southern Counties Regional Championships — Third Section previews
March 16, 2017
4BR takes a closer look at the bands hoping to catch the ears of the men in the box on Dan Price's clever musical portrait of urban history.
2017 Wales and London & Southern Counties Regional Championships — Fourth Section previews
March 16, 2017
4BR takes a close look at the contenders for Fourth Section qualification in Swansea and Stevenage via Alan Fernie's great Scottish musical export work.
2017 Scottish Championships — As it happened
March 12, 2017
All the action from the 2017 Scottish Championships - as it happened.
2017 West of England Regional Championships — As it happened
March 12, 2017
All the action from the 2017 West of England Regional Championships - as it happened.
2017 North of England Regional Championships — As it happened
March 12, 2017
All the action from the 2017 North of England Regional Championships - as it happened.
2017 Midlands Regional Championships — As it happened
March 12, 2017
All the action from the 2017 Midlands Regional Championships - as it happened.
2017 Regional Championships — Torquay, Perth, Bedworth and Durham contest previews
March 8, 2017
4BR looks forward to the second round of regional championship events in the West of England, Midlands, Scotland and North of England this weekend.
2017 Regional Championships — Championship Section previews & predictions
March 8, 2017
4BR takes a closer look at the 'Pageantry' battles to come at Perth, Torquay, Bedworth and Durham this weekend
2017 Regional Championships — First Section previews & predictions
March 8, 2017
4BR takes a closer look at the battles for qualification places on Philip Sparke's New Zealand inspired test-piece in the northern hemisphere outposts of Perth, Torquay, Bedworth and Durham this weekend.
2017 Regional Championships — Second Section previews & predictions
March 9, 2017
4BR looks forward to the Rhapsodic action in the Second Section at Perth, Torquay, Bedworth and Durham on a piece that is posing real demands on bands about understanding its true identity.
2017 Regional Championships — Third Section previews & predictions
March 9, 2017
4BR looks a little more closely at the runners and riders in Perth, Torquay, Bedworth and Durham hoping to make a triptych historical portrait of a suburb of Manchester come to qualifying life.
2017 Regional Championships — Fourth Section previews & predictions
March 9, 2017
4BR takes a closer look and the runners and riders hoping to pick and mix the right match of musical liquorice all-sorts by Alan Fernie to claim their place at Cheltenham.
Take 5 — Five things of note from the 2017 Yorkshire Regional Championships
March 7, 2017
4BR recalls a quintet of notable memories from the recent Yorkshire Regional Championships in Huddersfield.
2017 Yorkshire Regional Championships — As it happened
March 5, 2017
All the action from the 2017 Yorkshire Regional Championships - as it happened.
Take 5 — A quintet of things to note from the 2017 UniBrass Championships.
March 3, 2017
Steve Jack looks back at the 2017 UniBrass Championships in Harrogate and finds plenty of things that brought a smile to the face.
Brass for Africa Blog: No 1 — Music Education Musings: First impressions and instincts
March 2, 2017
In the first of a new series of blogs in her Brass Development Fellowship role with the Brass for Africa Charity, Dr. Taylor Hughey talks about her first impressions and instincts on taking up her post in Kampala in Uganda.
2017 North West Regional Championships — As it happened
February 26, 2017
All the action from the 2017 North West Regional Championships - as it happened.
2017 Regional Championships — North West & Yorkshire Contest Previews
February 23, 2017
4BR Editor Iwan Fox looks forward to consecutive weekends of contest action that offers brass banding contesting at its brilliant best.
2017 North West & Yorkshire Regional Championships — Championship Preview & Prediction
February 23, 2017
One of the greatest works of the brass band repertoire still retains its immense almost mystical challenges despite its age, popularity and rather unique provenance.
2017 North West & Yorkshire Regional Championships — First Section Preview & Prediction
February 23, 2017
Wonderful music inspired by the majestic vistas of New Zealand will prove to be a stern test of aspirations for First Section contenders.
2017 North West & Yorkshire Regional Championships — Second Section Preview & Prediction
February 23, 2017
One of the finest works of its era will provide a stern test of the bands in the Third Sections in Blackpool and Huddersfield.
2017 North West & Yorkshire Regional Championships — Third Section Preview & Prediction
February 23, 2017
Music inspired by a mischievous imp, a high church and the Industrial Revolution will test the bands in the Third Section.
2017 North West & Yorkshire Regional Championships — Fourth Section Preview & Prediction
February 23, 2017
Despite the illusion of the title it will all be about musical substance for the contenders on Alan Fernie's splendid test-piece.
2017 French National Championships — As it happened
February 19, 2017
All the action from the 2017 French National Championships - as it happened.
2017 Action Medical Research Youth Championships — As it happened
February 12, 2017
All the action from the 2017 Action Medical Research Youth Championships - as it happened.
Pageantry Pointers: Part 2 — Areas of dispute?
February 11, 2017
In his second ‘Pageantry Pointers’ article for 4BR, Paul Cosh looks at what he believes are some disputed aspects of the famous Herbert Howells score.
2017 Action Medical Research Youth Entertainment Championships — Preview & Prediction
February 9, 2017
4BR looks forward to the Action Medical Research Youth Entertainment Championships of Great Britain in Blackpool this weekend.
2017 Norwegian National Championships — As it happened
February 4, 2017
All the action from the 2017 Norwegian National Championships - as it happened.
4BR Interview — Jonathan Bates
January 26, 2017
4BR Editor Iwan Fox talks to a composer who admits to having his musical mind opened by Edward Gregson.
4BR Interview — Peter Moore
January 22, 2017
Malcolm Wood catches up with the brilliant Yamaha Artist, co-Principal Trombone of the London Symphony Orchestra and Manchester City fan, Peter Moore.
4BR Interview — Lance Corporal Liam Grunsell
January 21, 2017
In the fourth of a new series meeting professional players in the Corps of Army Music, we find out more about Irish Guards euphonium player Lance Corporal Liam Grunsell
2017 Butlins Postcard — Retaining the simple formula of genius
January 19, 2017
Keeping things simple has been the genius behind the Butlins success story - so why the need to change?
2017 Butlins Mineworkers Championships — Gallery: Sunday
January 17, 2017
Images from Sunday on the Centre Stage at 2017 Butlins Mineworkers Championships (Pictures by Steve Jack)
2017 Butlins Mineworkers Championships — Gallery: Saturday
January 15, 2017
Images from across the sections on the Saturday at 2017 Butlins Mineworkers Championships (Pictures by Steve Jack)
2017 Butlins Mineworkers Championships — Championship Section: As it happened
January 15, 2017
All the action from the 2017 Butlins Mineworkers Championship Section - as it happened.
2017 Butlins Mineworkers Championships — Youth Sections: As it happened
January 15, 2017
All the action from the 2017 Butlins Mineworkers Championship Youth Sections - as it happened.
2017 Butlins Mineworkers Championships — Section 1: As it happened
January 14, 2017
All the action from the 2017 Butlins Mineworkers Championship Section 1 - as it happened.
2017 Butlins Mineworkers Championships — Section 2: As it happened
January 14, 2017
All the action from the 2017 Butlins Mineworkers Championship Section 2 - as it happened.
2017 Butlins Mineworkers Championships — Section 3: As it happened
January 14, 2017
All the action from the 2017 Butlins Mineworkers Championship Section 3 - as it happened.
2017 Butlins Mineworkers Championships — Section 4: As it happened
January 14, 2017
All the action from the 2017 Butlins Mineworkers Championship Section 4 - as it happened.
2017 Butlins Mineworkers Championships — Section previews & predictions
January 12, 2017
4BR takes a closer look at the action that will take place in the First, Second, Third, Fourth and Youth Sections at Skegness this weekend.
2017 Butlins Mineworkers Championships — Preview and Championship Section prediction
January 12, 2017
The 2017 contest season kicks off in Skegness this weekend - with bumper fields of 82 bands in pursuit of that warming feeling of a January cash bonanza.
What might have been? — The second 50 years of lost compositional opportunities
January 11, 2017
In the second of his articles, composer Gavin Higgins explores some of the iconic compositional opportunities that may have passed the brass band movement by since 'Labour and Love' in 1913 - this time from the 1960s to the 1990s.
4BR Interview — Lance Sergeant Neil Brocklehurst
January 8, 2017
In the third of a new series meeting professional players in the Corps of Army Music, we find out more about Scots Guards percussionist Lance Sergeant Neil Brocklehurst.
Pageantry pointers — A question of accent
January 8, 2017
The highly respected professional trumpet player, conductor, adjudicator and teacher Paul Cosh looks at the question of accent in Herbert Howells' classic 'Pageantry'.
