New Horizons Exchange links UK and Swiss youth again
June 6
The Besson Horizon programme will once again see youngsters from the National Youth Bands of Great Britain and Switzerland enjoy reciprocal musical trips.
High demand for premium tickets for British Open
June 5 • Premium tickets for the British Open are starting to become increasingly limited — so don't miss out.
Chav Brass set for serious fun at Whit Friday
June 5 • The scallywags of the Whit Friday circuit will be performing with serious ambition this year as they seek to inspire the next generation with a mix of DJ Sammy and Eric Ball...
2025 Tameside Whit Friday details confirmed
June 4 • From start times to prize money, contact details and essential information — the details of the Tameside Whit Friday contests have been announced.
Enjoy Spring Festival highlights
June 4 • The British Open has produced a special YouTube feature capturing the highlights of the 2025 Spring Festival in Blackpool.
Exciting Antipodean challenges for NZ Nationals
June 4 • There is an encouraging outlook for the New Zealand Championships in Christchurch next month.
Thornton and Barton set to inspire Childrens Band
June 4 • Dr David Thornton and guest soloist Lewis Barton will lead the musical attractions at the NYBBGB Childrens' Band Summer Concert in August.
Open Day invite at RBC
June 4 • If you want to find out more about the music and brass band courses at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire then book your place at its Open Day — and bring your instrument.
New Zealand looks for new test-piece works
June 4 • New Zealand composers can now submit works for consideration for the 2026 National Championships.
Wynton Marsalis: The London Concert
£12.75£12.75
Graham: Force of Nature
£10.25£10.25
Bliss: Music for Brass Band
£14.00£14.00
Virtuoso: Music for Euphonium & Brass Band
£11.25£11.25
Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé
£14.00£14.00
Respighi: Pines, Fountains & Festivals of Rome
£14.00£14.00
Interview with Dr David Thornton
February 4 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox talks to RNCM International Brass Band Festival Artistic Director Dr David Thornton at the end of the 2024 event in Manchester.
Interview with James Gourlay and Emily Nicolas
February 3 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox talks to conductor James Gourlay and presenter Emily Nicolas after the performance of the RNCM Brass Band at the recent RNCM International Brass Band Festival
Interview with Ian Porthouse and Matthias Hofs
January 31 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox talks to Tredegar MD Ian Porthouse and soloist Matthias Hofs at the RNCM International Brass Band Festival
Interview with Simone Rebello
January 31 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox talks to Simone Rebello about this weekend's RNCM Day of Percussion
Do you want to go large?: The problems with test piece obesity
May 29 • Is our appetite for everything new and bigger starting to affect our musical well being?
2025 European Championships: Stavanger preview
May 5 • A fascinating weekend of competition is in store in Stavanger with a desire to embrace change to be seen, heard and perhaps even undertaken...
2025 European Championships: Test piece reviews
May 4 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox takes a close look at the four major test-pieces to be performed in Stavanger this coming weekend.
2025 European Championships: Own choice selections
May 3 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox looks at the wide variety of musical inspirations being explored, examined and endorsed in the bids to win the European titles in Stavanger.
Concert: National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain & British Army Brass Band
April 28 • Full pews in Halifax as the brass band pilgrims enjoy the ambitious and intriguing outlooks of youth and experience.
LP review: The Gothenburg Brass Band
April 27 • A classy reminder that Nordic banding could have travelled in a very different direction.
Concert: National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain
April 20 • Mature expressions of musicality and wider resilience underpin the ethos of the latest generation of National Youth Band performers in Tidworth.
| # | Band | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Foden's | 1,086.67 |
| 2 | Brass Band Treize Etoiles | 948.08 |
| 3 | Cory | 925.78 |
| 4 | Eikanger-Bjørsvik | 826.94 |
| 5 | Flowers | 807.42 |
| 6 | Black Dyke | 711.84 |
| 7 | Brighouse and Rastrick | 537.81 |
| 8 | Tredegar | 534.76 |
| 9 | Manger Musikklag | 402.21 |
| 10 | Valaisia Brass Band | 391.55 |
Contest: Whit Friday March Contests
Friday 13 June • Saddleworth & Tameside OL3
Hebden Bridge Brass Band - The 13th annual Hebden Bridge March Contest
Sunday 15 June • St George's Square, Hebden Bridge HX7 8ET
The Portsmouth Grammar School - Concert by The Black Dyke Band
Saturday 28 June • St Marys Church, Fratton, Portsmouth PO15PA PO15PA
Petworth Town Band - Fete in the Park with Petworth Town Band
Saturday 28 June • Grounds of Petworth Park GU28 9LR
Petworth Town Band - Farnham Brass Band and Petworth Town Band
Saturday 28 June • Farnham Carnival
Epping Forest Band
June 6 • Epping Forest band have a vacancy for solo horn. We are a friendly 3rd section band with a variety of gigs through out the year. We have our own band hut with close to links with London Underground central line and the M11 motorway.
Chelmsford Silver Bnad
June 6 • Front row cornet, solo horn & trombone players. We are a friendly, active non competition band established 75 years performing regularly in Chelmsford & Essex. Rehearsals averaging 26 players on Wednesday evenings at Broomfield Methodist Church Chelmsford
HYDE BAND
June 5 • WE CURRENTLY HAVE PLAYER VACANCIES FOR BB BASS, BARITONE & EUPHONIUM. Join our friendly 1st Section Band in the New forest, working with our Musical Director: Ben Halstead on a varied programme of concerts and contests. Rehearsals Mon & Thurs 8-10
Prof. Christopher Houlding
MMus, GGSM, LRAM
Conductor, Performer, Educator