*
banner

Abergavenny to lead Paralympics celebrations

The Abergavenny Band will play a central role in the Olympic Park closing celebrations for the Paralympics.

Abergavenny
 

The Abergavenny Band has been announced as one of the central performers who will play at the Olympic Park in London as part of the Paralympics closing celebrations on Sunday September 9th.

Phantom

The band will head to London, along with Welsh West End star Peter Karrie, famed for his leading role in ‘Phantom of the Opera’, to lead the nationwide Bandstand Marathon, after winning organiser Superact's ‘Last Bandstanding’ competition.

Abergavenny will share the stage with Indian drum troupe Dhol2Dhol and female barbershop chorus, The Belles of Three Spires.

Coldplay

Hundreds of acts around the country will perform their own take on Coldplays ‘Viva Las Vida’, with the headline performances taking place at the iconic Olpmic venue.

The competition's senior adjudicator, leading orchestral conductor Charles Hazlewood, said: “Abergavenny Borough is a brass band as it should be: big sound, big heart, big round of applause.”

This is an amazing opportunity. Representing Wales and Welsh music groups in a performance at the Olympic Park is a tremendous achievement and honour and a landmark in our banding historyAbergavenny Band

Amazing opportunity

Abergavenny Chairman Andrew Richards told 4BR: "This is an amazing opportunity. Representing Wales and Welsh music groups in a performance at the Olympic Park is a tremendous achievement and honour and a landmark in our banding history."

Musical Director Craig Roberts added: "The band has worked incredibly hard to secure and prepare for this engagement. It is a testament to the players' hard work and ongoing commitment."

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    


NYBBWales

Welsh youth set for trio of Harper led performances

May 21 • The National Youth Brass Band of Wales and Philip Harper can be heard in Bangor, St David's and Newport in August.


4BR Reviw

4BR Review — Episode 18

May 21 • Enjoy the latest debate about the banding world as Edward Gregson and Paul Hindmarsh air their opinions on banding's artistic vision.


Willebroek

Willebroek to show case major talents in Birmingham

May 21 • A trio major compositions will be showcased by the current World and Belgian champions at the Elgar International Festival of Brass.


Dutch Open

Big bands and brass bands to provide entertainment at Dutch Open

May 21 • There will be plenty of great entertainment on offer on stage at the Dutch Open next month.


Newstead Brass - Mansfield MVC - Brass and Voices

Sunday 24 May • Forest Town Arena. Clipstone Road West,. Mansfield NG19 0EE


Contest: Whit Friday March Contests

Friday 29 May • Saddleworth & Tameside OL3


The Hepworth Band - Brassband Burgermusik Luzern

Saturday 30 May • Dewsbury Minster, Vicarage Road, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire WF12 8DD


Fulham Brass Band - Summer Concert

Friday 5 June • St Dionis Church, Parsons Green SW6 4UH


Sherborne Town Band - Friends

Sunday 7 June • Sherborne, Dorset-Pageant Gardens DT9 3NP


St John's Band (Mossley)

May 21 • We are a friendly, welcoming 4th section band based in Tameside, Greater Manchester. Following our 4th place at the North West regionals, we are looking for a Bb and Eb Bass player (position negotiable). We rehearse Tuesday & Thursday evenings in Mossley.


St John's Band (Mossley)

May 21 • We are a friendly, welcoming 4th section band based in Tameside, Greater Manchester. Following our 4th place at the North West regionals, we are looking for SOLO CORNET players (position negotiable). We rehearse Tuesday and Thursday evenings in Mossley.


Regent Brass

May 20 • Regent Brass (Championship Section) seek a Bb Bass to join our friendly, musically ambitious Central London band. We enjoy a varied and balanced schedule of concerts and contests, and regularly premiere new music.


Dr. Stephen Arthur Allen

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


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd