*
banner

Mead set for Cheltenham debut

Euph star steps into the conducting breach to help out Downton.

Downton
 

Downton Band members were recently shocked to hear that their long serving MD Roland Wright was involved in a motoring accident whilst on holiday in Greece.

Find conductor

The nature of the accident meant that with just a few weeks to go before the band’s appearance at the National Finals at Cheltenham, a conductor had to be found to take them on stage.

Steven literally moved heaven and earth to help us in our hour of need and it is now down to us to make the most of this unexpected opportunitySecretary, Danny Silver

Accepting challenge

Thankfully, Steven Mead, a long time friend of the band agreed without hesitation to help the West of England contenders out, and after a few hours checking his diary readily accepted the challenge of conducting them on the big day.

Heaven and earth

Band Secretary, Danny Silver summed it all up when speaking to 4BR:
"Steven literally moved heaven and earth to help us in our hour of need and it is now down to us to make the most of this unexpected opportunity.

We are all grateful to Steven for his kind offer. We really want to take this on and do our best as a tribute to Roland who has always been there for us!"

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    


Cory Alps

Cory to head to Alpine Festival

May 6 • The Welsh champion will join up with BrassBand Bozen Uberetsch as part of the first Alps Brass Festival.


Sarah Baumann

BBE appoints Baumann to interim CEO role

May 6 • Sarah Baumann has been appointed as Interim Chief Executive Officer of Brass Bands England.


David Childs

Childs to provide recital and masterclass at Elgar International Festival of Brass

May 6 • Details have been released of the recital and masterclass appearances of the euphonium virtuoso at the forthcoming event in Birmingham.


Brighouse

Brighouse to close Best of Brass series

May 6 • The British Open champion will provide the final concert of the annual Leeds 'Best of Brass' series.


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


Regent Hall Concerts - Woodbridge Excelsior Band

Saturday 9 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


East London Brass

May 7 • B Flat Bass : fresh off the back of our promotion to the Grand Shield, ELB are on the look out for a bflat bass player to complement our existing section. The band is ambitious and has an exciting second half of the year ahead.


Thornton Cleveleys Band

May 7 • We currently have the following vacancies.. 3rd Cornet and Bb Bass.. Friendly 3rd Section NW band based just outside of Blackpool. We have some great concerts coming up as well as marches, galas and charity events. With the odd contest thrown in too


Thornton Cleveleys Band

May 7 • MD VACANCY . We are a 3rd section NW band based just outside of Blackpool. Monday and Thursday rehearsals. Good mix of concerts and contests. Library full of music with funds available for new music. .


Rob Nesbitt

BSc, PG Cert. Ed.
Cartoonist , illustrator, writer


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd