*
banner

Norwegian plankers...

There is a new brass phenomenon heading our way — thanks to some plankers in Norway...

planking
 

It seems that a new craze is sweeping the orchestral world – and it could only be a matter of time before it’s seen on a brass band concert stage in the UK.

Planking

'Planking' – the spontaneous decision of people to lie face down, head first against each other is catching on – as the picture opposite from a recent concert by the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra in Bergen shows.

The trumpet section, which comprises Gary Peterson, Martin Winter, Allan Withington and Jon Benhcke decided to leave their seats just before the start of Prokofiev's ‘Romeo and Juliet’ for their display of ‘planking’.

The ‘game’ phenomenon, which originated in Australia, sees participants take the decision to lie in an unusual or incongruous location and then to be photographed4BR

Phenomenon

The ‘game’ phenomenon, which originated in Australia, sees participants take the decision to lie in an unusual or incongruous location and then to be photographed. The location should also be as public as possible, and as many people as possible should be involved.

Amusement

On this occasion the player’s plonked their trumpets on their seats, walked to the front of the Grieg Hall stage and proceeded to indulge in their ‘planking’, much to the amusement of the packed audience.

A spokesperson told 4BR: "As befits the Norwegians, we believe it to be the first classical bit of planking ever performed."

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    


Fleetwood

Fleetwood back on demand

May 1 • You can enjoy all 32 performances from the recent Fleetwood Contest on demand


British Open

Live stream broadcast from Spring Festival

May 1 • All the action from the 104th British Open Spring Festival is to be live-stream broadcast this weekend.


Brass in Concert

Brass in Concert draws confirmed

May 1 • The draws for the 2026 Brass in Concert and Youth Brass in Concert Championships have been confirmed after being made in Linz.


Spring Festival

Final preparations in place for Spring Festival

April 30 • Bands and organisers are putting the final parts in place ahead of the Spring Festival in Birmingham.


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 3 May • St Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street SE10 9BJ


Regent Hall Concerts - FiveBy5 Trumpet Quintet

Tuesday 5 May • Charlton House and Gardens. Charlton Road, . London. . SE7 8RE


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 8 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Wardle Anderson Brass Band - Wardle Junior Blast

Friday 8 May • Milnrow Parish Church, 16 Westward Ho, Milnrow, Rochdale OL16 3JX


Regent Brass - Woodbridge Excelsior Band and Russell Gray

Saturday 9 May • The Salvation Army (Regent Hall), Oxford Street, London W1C 2DJ


Wellington Silver Band (Somerset)

May 2 • Bb Basses. With Colin Dance now appointed as our MD and our other Bb Bass leaving due to work commitments, we have openings for two Bb basses. We are a friendly community (4th section?) band with a variety of gigs including our own Proms in the Park.


Wellington Silver Band (Somerset)

May 2 • Tuned Percussionist. We are looking for a tuned percussionist to join our friendly community (4th section?) band. We have a variety of gigs including our own Proms in the park, charity concerts, fetes, (maybe contesting). Other brass players welcome.


Tintwistle Band

April 28 • Tintwistle Band are looking for a Soprano and front row cornet players to help complete our team.. We rehearse Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our own bandroom on Old Road in Tintwistle, and perform a variety of concerts all year round.


Dr. Stephen Arthur Allen

D. Phil. (Oxon) [Ph.D Oxford University], GBSM, LTCL, ABSM, ALCM, Cert. Ed.


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd