*
banner

Dobson enjoys Kew backlash

Composer Simon Dobson is certainly enjoying his Aussie adventure.

Simon Dobson
 

The Kew Band Melbourne recently welcomed composer and conductor Simon Dobson at their rehearsal.

Backlash

Simon, who is enjoying a working break downunder led the band through warm up hymns, before rehearsing ‘Biltz’, and three of his own compositions, ‘Lock Horns/Rage On’, ‘Little Hymn’ and ‘Backlash’.

Impressed

He told 4BR: "I was so impressed with the band's enthusiasm for my music. They really worked hard in getting the feel of it."

The composer was also impressed by how quickly the band improved under his leadership during the rehearsal – the last before they took a well earned 4 week break before its new season leading up to the Victorian State Brass Band Championships.

I was so impressed with the band's enthusiasm for my music. They really worked hard in getting the feel of itSimon Dobson

Visits

Simon plans to spend another few weeks in Melbourne before flying to visit Brisbane Excelsior, then Sydney to catch up with Jason Katsikaris and onto Gunnedah in rural New South Wales and Byron Bay before spending his final few weeks back in Melbourne where he hopes to reunite with Kew.

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    


NYGGB

National Youth Band opportunities

May 8 • The National Youth Band of Great Britain is looking to appoint new trustees and a librarian to help strengthen the organisation's heritage and future.


Albert Hall

Albert Hall tickets now on sale

May 8 • Tickets for the 2026 Championship Section National Final at the Royal Albert Hall are now on sale.


Band Supplies

Summer deals to grab at Band Supplies

May 8 • There are plenty of great deals to grab at Band Supplies on ex-demo and second hand instruments.


Emergency

BBE to host emergency planning webinar

May 8 • Make sure you have plans in place to protest valuable musical and memorabilia assets if potential disaster strikes.


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


Harlow Brass Band - SPRING CONCERT - AN ANIMATION SENSATION

Saturday 16 May • St Andrew's Methodist Church. The Stow. Harlow. CM20 3AF


Brunel Brass Organisation

May 8 • Brunel Brass is looking for a Solo Horn and Back Row Cornet to join our senior band. We are an ambitious, friendly band on the verge of promotion to the Championship Section and recently achieved our highest ever finish at the British Open Spring Festival


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


Kevin Wadsworth


Conductor, adjudicator, teacher (ABBA)


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd