*
banner

Wardle celebrate with Summer spectacular

Massed ranks enjoy a celebration at Wardle.

Wardle
 

Wardle High School have had lots to celebrate this Summer with the successes of their many musicians.

Highlight

The highlight was a Summer Spectacular Concert that took place on June 27th at the school.

The successes started early this summer when the school's Senior Band, Junior Band and feeder Primary School bands including St James's and Smithy Bridge, all successfully qualified for the final of the National Festival of Music for Youth.

Whit Friday

As well as these honours, the school's Senior Band conducted by Lee Rigg won five prizes on Whit Friday including three 1st places at Broadoak, Diggle and Stalybridge Celtic and two deportment prizes.

The Junior Band conducted by Gwen Diggle who also came second at the recent Hebdon Bridge March and Hymn Tune Contest performed to thousands of representatives at Birmingham's NEC arena for the Rotary International World Conference last week.

We have many musical and community links through our Performing Arts status and the staff in the music department work tirelessly to promote music both in and out of schoolGraham Wright

Summer spectacular

To celebrate the many achievements the school hosted their annual 'Summer Spectacular Concert' on Saturday, which included a Summer Fair and celebratory concert in the evening.

400 musicians

The concert brought together over 400 musicians, including the school's community band Wardle Anderson Brass, who are the current North West Regional 1st section Champions.

Building

Paul Lovatt-Cooper, the Head of Music at Wardle High School, was unable to attend the concert as his services were required in Preston at the English National Championships, but Head Teacher Graham Wright told 4BR: "We seem to be building and going from strength to strength with the music at Wardle. We have many musical and community links through our Performing Arts status and the staff in the music department work tirelessly to promote music both in and out of school."

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Youth Champs

Birmingham hosts National Youth Championships

March 28 • If you are anywhere near Birmingham today, get along and enjoy plenty of fantastic brass band performers.


Withington

Withington returns to Grimethorpe

March 28 • Allan Withington will lead Grimethorpe Colliery at the British Open and Albert Hall National Final, as contesting connection with Carlton Main comes to an end.


Adams

Trombone stars add to Adams artist line-up

March 28 • Tom Challinor and Jonathan Pippen have become Adams Artists.


Welcome

Warm welcome for Lawson at Welsh champion

March 28 • It's a been a long journey to get to his first rehearsal for Kyle Lawson at Cory — and its straight into concert action too.


Brass Bands England - 2026 National Youth Brass Band Championships

Saturday 28 March • King Edward's School, Edgbaston Park Road, Birmingham B15 2UA


The Hepworth Band - Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra

Saturday 18 April • Huddersfield Town Hall HD1 2TA


Contest: Whit Friday March Contests

Friday 29 May • Saddleworth & Tameside OL3


The Hepworth Band - Brassband Burgermusik Luzern

Saturday 30 May • Dewsbury Minster, Vicarage Road, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire WF12 8DD


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 5 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Chinnor Silver

March 27 • We are a friendly progressive 1st Section band who need a couple of seats filled.. Bb BASS and PERCUSSIONIST are on our wanted list so if you are looking for a new banding challenge get in contact. We rehearse on Wednesdays and have good realistic diary.


Newport Borough Brass Band

March 27 • After a respectable 4th place in the 2nd Section at the Welsh Area Contest, we are looking for FRONT ROW CORNET (position negotiable) 1st BARITONE, 2ND TROMBONE and Bb BASS players to come and join us on our journey under the baton of Martin McHale BEM.


East London Brass

March 27 • PERCUSSION - ELB are the look out for a percussionist to complement our existing section. We have a sensible diary of contests and concerts and are ambitious to keep progressing as a band.


Darren R. Hawken

PGdip, BMus(hons) PGCE, dipABRSM, LRSM
Conductor, Arranger, Teacher, Adjudicator, Band Trainer


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd