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4BR Band of the Year — The conductors and players

December 30, 2023
These are conductors and players that made the lasting impression on us throughout 2023.


2023 Christmas Quiz — Time to test your musical knowledge

December 26, 2023
We have a fantastic prize of a Besson Prodige Cornet and other goodies worth over £600 up for grabs if you can get the answers right to our musical quiz.


2023 4BR Awards — Long list nominees

December 14, 2023
The long list of nominees in each category of the 2023 4BR Awards have been announced.


Dropping the rules — 2024 RNCM International Brass Band Festival

November 15, 2023
There is a world class line up of performers, soloists, commissions, classic works and more as Artistic Director Dr David Thornton leads a new era for the global brass band showcase event.


Placards, protests and persuasion — Elite band forums and judges

November 7, 2023
4BR Editor Iwan Fox looks at the potential for the resolution of issues that continue to vex the banding movement, but hold little interest to the wider musical world.


2023 National Championship of Great Britain — Take 5 talking points from the Albert Hall

October 25, 2023
There was plenty to discuss and debate after an intriguing National Championship Final in the heart of London.


2023 National Championship of Great Britain — Top 4 adjudications

October 24, 2023
This is what Dr Robert Childs, Prof Roger Webster and Dr Stephen Cobb thought of the bands that claimed the pre-qualification top four places at the Royal Albert Hall.


2023 National Championship of Great Britain — Preview

October 19, 2023
All bets are off this weekend, but Foden's may well still be the short priced favourite to emulate their famous predecessors.


2023 National Championship of Great Britain — Of Men and Mountains

October 18, 2023
Edward Gregson's generational work will finally be heard at a venue as imposing in scale as its own metaphorical inspiration.


An icon like no other — The Royal Albert Hall

October 17, 2023
Helen Varley takes a closer personal as well as professional look into why the Royal Albert Hall remains such an iconic venue.


A Good conversation — Colour Sergeant David Hamilton

October 16, 2023
As Mark Good finds out, the route to becoming a military musician was not a simple one for Colour Sergeant David Hamilton but he wouldn’t have had it any other way.


A critical mass of confidence — 2023 Brass Bands England Conference

October 11, 2023
Boldness, invention and cooperation could well be the keys to Brass Bands England's future ambitions after a display of collective confidence at its annual conference in Huddersfield.


2023 Cheltenham National Finals — First Section preview

September 14, 2023
A tale of architectural renaissance from the flames of London's destruction provides a dramatic test for the bands in search of the First Section title.


2023 National Championships of Great Britain — Second Section preview

September 14, 2023
From three notes to three lakes is the challenge to be met by the bands tackling Philip Sparke's ever inventive test-piece if they are to claim the National title.


2023 National Championships of Great Britain — Third Section preview

September 13, 2023
A ghostly reminder of the human cost of both necessity and bureaucracy faces the bands in the Third Section on Sunday morning.


2023 National Championships of Great Britain — Fourth Section preview

September 13, 2023
A jaunty celebration of the historic links between England and Australia will test the contesting health of bands on Saturday morning.


2023 British Open Championship — Chapper's top Bands and Stars

September 12, 2023
Photographer Craig Chapman and his colleague Connor Redmond were at the British Open to take plenty of great 'Sand and Stars' images.


2023 British Open Championship — Take 5 talking points from Symphony Hall

September 12, 2023
There was so much to enjoy about the 169th British Open Championships - and plenty to talk, opinion and discuss about too...


2023 British Open Championship — Podium place adjudication remarks

September 11, 2023
This what the judges had to say in their written remarks about Foden's, Valaisia and Tredegar's performances of 'Sand and Stars' at the British Open on the weekend.


2023 British Open Championship — Preview

September 8, 2023
The heat will be on in more ways than one at Symphony Hall as 18 bands look to become British Open Champion.


2023 British Open Championship — Take 5 from 25 years at Symphony Hall

September 7, 2023
Five memorable winning performances from the 25 years that the British Open Championship has been held at Symphony Hall.


2023 British Open Championship — Test piece review

September 6, 2023
Thierry Deleruyelle's 20th century lineal celebration of the spirit of human resilience reaches the 1930s with 'Sand and Stars'.


Beating the bullies — Brass band lessons from fact and fiction

August 28, 2023
From films to festivals - the brass band movement should take note of what happens to conductors who abuse their position of power.


4BR Hall of Fame — No. 27: Gordon Langford

August 25, 2023
Tim Mutum finds out more about the man who changed his name to help change the way brass bands performed to the public.


Take 5 — It's all bubble and squeak to me...

August 19, 2023
4BR Editor Iwan Fox looks at five great works inspired by the myths and tales told by the ancient Greeks...


Revolutionary cooperation — Is it time for a vanguard of band representation?

August 14, 2023
Can bands cut themselves free of a self-made Gordian Knot of apathy and distrust and get someone to represent their thread of views with contest organisers?


Garden Memories — How a farm house find helped Jim Shepherd recall Black Dyke glories

July 10, 2023
The legendary Jim Shepherd was reminded of his decade long tenure at Black Dyke each time he stepped into his garden...


4BR Hall of Fame — No. 26: Arthur Butterworth

July 7, 2023
Almost a century after his birth Tim Mutum finds out more about a composer who remains an intangible enigma to the brass band movement.


A question of Succession — How Logan Roy has pinpointed a brass band predicament

June 29, 2023
Every organisation needs to be prepared for a transition of long term power and influence - although it is not always a decision that works out for the best.


2023 Whit Friday — Images from the day

June 9, 2023
Some of the memorable images taken by bands and put on their social media at this year's Whit Friday contests in Tameside and Saddleworth


Take 5 — A quintet of Ninths

May 31, 2023
Five recordings of Gilbert Vinter's 'Variations on a Ninth' that should be added to any brass band collection.


Marching into the future — Whit Friday preview

May 29, 2023
Malcolm Wood looks forward to the atmosphere and action that will be on show around the famous Whit Friday venues in Tameside and Saddleworth this year.


2023 European Championships — Solo, Challenge & Youth events

May 2, 2023
There are also European titles up for grabs in the Solo, Challenge and Youth Sections in Malmo.


2023 European Championships — Event preview

May 1, 2023
A wonderful city, impressive venue, great music and fantastic bands. There should be something for everyone to enjoy in Malmo then as the European Championships head for a new musical outpost.


2023 European Championships — Own Choice selections

April 30, 2023
From Madmen and Horrowshows, William Byrd and Gabrielli, inner darkness, parallel lives, catharis, global rejoicing and much, much more as the elite contenders take their inspirations to claim the European title....


2023 European Championships — Here comes the sun...

April 29, 2023
4BR Editor Iwan Fox takes a close look at 'Aurora' - the Championship Section test-piece that could provide the sign to conquer rivals for one band in Malmo...


4BR Hall of Fame — No. 25: Maurice Murphy

April 10, 2023
Tim Mutum looks back on the career of the player who provided the world with "the voice of a hero".


Of Men and Mountains — Gregson's neglected masterpiece returns at last

March 31, 2023
4BR talks to composer Edward Gregson about his composition to find out more about its abandonment and long overdue return to the Royal Albert Hall.


Think of a number — The Regional Championships need urgent help

March 28, 2023
471 may seem an impressive figure, but the statistics behind it reveal a different truth.


Live — 2023 National Youth Championships of Great Britain

March 25, 2023
Coverage of the 2023 National Youth Championships of Great Britain live from Stockport Grammar School


Keeping good vision — Brass musicians and the risk of Glaucoma

February 21, 2023
4BR talks to the experts at Allegro Optical to find out more about the risks of glaucoma.


Answering health questions — How the Covid-19 break has renewed Norwegian banding

February 16, 2023
The return of the Norwegian National Championships has seen the banding culture take a positive look at battling middle age lethargy.


4BR Hall of Fame — No. 24: Geoffrey Brand

February 15, 2023
Tim Mutum looks back on the life of one of the most dominant figures of the second half of the 20th century banding movement.


2023 RNCM Brass Band Festival — Praise, plaudits and possibilities for the future

February 8, 2023
4BR Editor Iwan Fox looks back at a memorable RNCM Brass Band Festival, as well as examining what the future may hold for the person that takes over its artistic direction...


A postcard Stamp to Grimethorpe — Jack Stamp and his love for British brass bands

January 26, 2023
A slow burning catalyst appreciation of the sound of British brass bands has linked American composer and conductor Jack Stamp with Grimethorpe Colliery Band.


Still aiming high — The GUS Band at 90

January 6, 2023
Tim Mutum tells the story of the GUS Band which was formed in 1933 with lofty ambitions.


Take 5 — Not to miss early season treats

January 5, 2023
Our quintet of not to miss musical attractions in the first three months of 2023.




Pontardulais Town Band - Annual Concert - The storytellers present.....

Saturday 22 June • Pontarddulais Comprehensive School, Caecerrig Road, Pontarddulais. SA4 8PD


Boarshurst Silver Band - Sunday Brass Concert - Strata Brass

Sunday 23 June • Boarshurst Band Club, Greenbridge Lane OL3 7EW


Wotton-under-Edge Silver Band - Foden's Band

Sunday 23 June • Renishaw Innovation Centre,. New Mills, Kingswood, Wotton-under-Edge,. Gloucestershire GL12 8JR


West Midlands Police Band - Sovereign Brass and Brett Baker (Trombone)

Sunday 23 June • Tipton Green Methodist Church. Park Lane West. Tipton. Sandwell. DY1 4QF


Brass Bands England - Youth Fest 2024

Friday 28 June • Barnsley Civic, Hanson Street, Barnsley S70 2HZ


Rainford Band

June 22 • North West Championship Section Rainford Band are inviting applications for a Solo Baritone player. . We rehearse on Monday and Thursday evenings 19.45 - 21.45 in our band room with good links to M6 and M62 motorways.


Harlow Brass Band

June 20 • Come and join our friendly and welcoming band. We have vacancies for TROMBONES, BACK ROW CORNETS AND PERCUSSION. We hold our own Spring and Christmas Concerts and play at various local events throughout the year.


Haverhill Silver Band

June 20 • HSB has a vacancy for a first-class trombone player from mid-September due to relocation for university. With a busy concert programme and upcoming contests including Wychavon and the Senior Cup, this is a great opportunity for the right player!


James McLeod

BMus (hons)
Euphonium Soloist, Teacher and Conductor


               

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