*
banner

Dobson despair

Composer hopes for miracle as lap top goes missing.

Dobson
 

Composer Simon Dobson is hoping that a good Samaritan was walking the streets of Norwich last Saturday night – and has picked up his laptop for safe keeping rather than short term profit.

Missing

Simon was waiting to meet friends outside St Andrew’s Hall in Norwich after the concert given by the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, and left his laptop, which was in a black rucksack, unattended just for a minute or two.

It seems that in that time, someone came along and picked it up, either deliberately or by mistake, and walked away with Simon’s new Apple Mac notebook inside, complete with memory banks packed to the gills with his latest compositions and work, as well as some invaluable memory sticks of music given to him by Bramwell Tovey.

It’s those little memory sticks though that I am really desperate to get back, as they contain priceless ideas and work from Bramwell Tovey who has been helped me so much in recent monthsSimon Dobson

Mistake

"I’m just hoping that the rucksack has been picked up by mistake," Simon told 4BR.

"Luckily, I have all my main music files backed up, so the Apple Mac, even though it is brand new, can be replaced. It’s those little memory sticks though that I am really desperate to get back, as they contain priceless ideas and work from Bramwell Tovey who has been helped me so much in recent months."

Help

Simon has contacted the local police, but hopes those contents can be returned to him, even if the laptop has to be replaced.

"If I can get those memory sticks back I would be thrilled. I can replace the lap top, but not those little gems."

Contact

If anyone has any information about the lap top, please contact Simon on 07870 211229.

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    


BrookWright

BrookWright Solo Competition finalists announced

August 25 • You can now vote for who you think should win the Under 18 and Over 18 categories of the 2026 BrookWright International Brass Solo Contest.


Climb every mountain

Wright & Round: Climb Ev'ry Mountain (Rodgers & Hammerstein arr. Philip Harper)

August 25 • You simply can't beat a belting classic from Julie Andrews...


bRASS IN cOCNERT

Brass in Concert Championship sold out

August 25 • There is not a seat left to be filled in the hall for the 49th Brass in Concert Championship this year.


British Open

British Open live-stream

August 24 • The 2026 British Open Championship will be live-streamed around the banding globe — so make sure you don't miss a note of the action.


Regent Hall Concerts - Cross Bones Trombone Quintet

Friday 21 August • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Sherborne Town Band - Free-Music in the park

Sunday 23 August • Sherborne, Dorset-Pageant Gardens DT9 3NP


Sherborne Town Band - Free-Music in the park

Sunday 13 September • Sherborne, Dorset-Pageant Gardens DT9 3NP


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards

Thursday 17 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Duchess of Edinburgh String Orchestra

Friday 18 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Wantage Silver Band

August 22 • Wantage Concert Brass (1st Section) are looking for a SOLO HORN and PERCUSSIONIST. Under the direction of our dynamic and inspiring MD Daniel Hall. This year we achieved 3rd at the L&SC regionals. We rehearse Tue & Fri 7:30pm- 9:30pm in our own bandhall


Ashington Colliery Band

August 20 • Front Row Cornet & Tenor Trombone. We're a friendly, ambitious Second Section band based in South East Northumberland just north of Blyth. We rehearse Tuesdays & Thursdays, 19:30-21:30, and transport can be provided depending on location.


Putney and Wimbledon Brass Band

August 18 • Putney and Wimbledon Band are looking for a percussionist, ideally tune although the ability to play an anvil is an absolute must! We play exciting music with lots of percussion so there's plenty to keep you occupied.


Alan Fernie

DRSAM, Dip.NCOS
Arranger, composer, adjudicator, conductor


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd