*
banner

On a wing and a prayer for Foresters Brass

This is a Brass the Baton relay like no other...

Foresters
 

A bird of prey will take centre stage at a 'Brass the Baton' relay event this weekend.

Leicester based Foresters Brass 2000 will be playing their part in the grounds Oakham Castle on Sunday, where the idea of having the bird of prey swoop down, grasp the baton in its talons, and then fly off over the audience will take place.

Nervous

Foresters’ MD Peter Collins is understandably a bit nervous as he told 4BR:

"Too right I’m rather nervous! However experts from the Rutland Falconry Centre will be on stage to look after me and luckily I have another baton to conduct the rest of the concert. We’re really delighted to be involved in this project though – it’ll be part of what promises to be a fantastic evening of live music."

Too right I’m rather nervous! However experts from the Rutland Falconry Centre will be on stage to look after me and luckily I have another baton to conduct the rest of the concertMD, Peter Collins

Passed on

The baton is being brought to the event by players from Coleshill Town Band, with the next port at Andover Town Band.

Chairman Dan Baker told 4BR: "We’re also playing a specially commissioned piece of music as the baton vanishes into the distance.

Rutland Falconry Centre will of course return the baton to us, and we’ll then transport it via more conventional means to Andover! We’re not expecting the falcon to actually fly with the baton all the way there!"

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    


wEBBA

Torquay adjudication teams confirmed

February 5 • The pairings who will compare and contrast the National Championship qualification hopes of bands in the West of England have been announced.


Peter Bassano

Death of Peter Bassano

February 5 • The death has been announced of the conductor, trombonist, author and academic, Peter Bassano.


4BR

4BR Review podcast: Episode 1

February 3 • 4BR launches a new YouTube review series with opinions and views on what is going on in the brass band world.


Sevange

78 bands to test their qualifying skills at Stevenage

February 3 • There are big fields of contenders for the judges to compare and contrast for the National Final qualification spots at the London & Southern Counties Championship.


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015. N-5015


Regent Hall Concerts - Junior Guildhall Brass Band

Friday 7 February • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Haverhill Silver Band - Concert in Clare Church

Saturday 8 February • St Peter and St Paul Church, Clare, Suffolk CO10 8NY


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 8 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Newstead Brass - VALENTINE'S VARIATIONS

Sunday 9 February • Ashwood Centre . Kirkby in Ashfield. Nottinghamshire Ng17 7ab


wantage silver band

February 5 • Wantage Band (championship section) has a vacancy for TOP 2ND CORNET. This would suit a player with experience in a championship/first section band. Rehearsals take place every Sun 7:30pm and Wed 8pm in Wantage with highly experienced MD Chris King.


Haverhill Silver Band

February 4 • Haverhill Silver Band (champ section) seeks a BACK ROW CORNET. This is a superb opportunity to join East Anglia's premier brass band for the area contest, the Senior Cup, Whit Friday and beyond. Applications to join after the area contest also considered.


Bilton Silver Rugby Band

February 1 • Due to some seating changes, Bilton Silver (Rugby) requires a percussionist to join our Championship Section band for the Midlands Regional contest. Rehearsals are held on Monday and Friday at 7-45pm in our own purpose built bandroom.


Prof. Christopher Houlding

MMus, GGSM, LRAM
Conductor, Performer, Educator


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd