*
banner

Alpine echoes to Cheltenham

A trip to the Alps certainly made sure Andover Town was in top team shape for their successful contest journey to Cheltenham.

Andover in Italy
 

The Andover Band has been enjoying highly successful trips to far flung outposts of the banding world in the last few months – from the Alps to Cheltenham in fact.

Palaces and Castles

Before the band claimed a well deserved third place at the Fourth Section National Finals they had just enjoyed a remarkable trip to Italy and Luxembourg, where as part of a ‘Palaces & Castles’ tour they performed at the magnificent Fort Fenestrelle near Piedmont in Northern Italy, which is claimed to be the only other man made structure visible from space apart from the Great Wall of China.

Hannibal

The fort straddles the dramatic valley first used to cross the Alps by Hannibal and his elephants, so it proved to be a fantastic spot to play a bit of marching music.

As part of the tour the band also visited the Royal Palace in Turin, and was honoured to perform at a sell out charity concert to raise money for victims of May’s Italian earthquake.

As part of the tour the band also visited the Royal Palace in Turin, and was honoured to perform at a sell out charity concert to raise money for victims of May’s Italian earthquake4BR

Tremendous progress

MD Steve Large, told 4BR: "This year we have made tremendous progress as a team. Players have practiced and improved, but our highly successful trip to Italy has helped to cement the group.

As a result, even more we all want to perform at our very best for each other – and that was plain to see and hear on the stage in Cheltenham."

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    


podcast

Join us now — 4BR Review podcast: Lessons from Europe?

October 29 • Join the discussion on whether or not UK banding can learn from the way in which our European friends host their major championship competitions.


Gregson

Gregson at 80 in Scotland

October 28 • Music by and chosen by the acclaimed composer will be performed at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland this evening.


Paul Mealor

Foden's to premiere new Paul Mealor work at leading festival

October 28 • Foden's will give the world premiere of 'Tranquil Abiding' at St Asaph Cathedral as part of the North Wales International Music Festival.


Harry Porthouse

Porthouse reprise at Leyland

October 28 • Harry Porthouse takes over the principal cornet seat at Leyland Band from Lewis Barton — following in his father's footsteps.


Regent Hall Concerts - Central Band of the RAF

Friday 24 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Amersham Band

Friday 24 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Haverhill Silver Band - Concert in Thaxted Church

Saturday 25 October • haxted Parish Church. Watling St, Thaxted CM6 2PE


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band VE & VJ Day Remembrance Concert

Saturday 25 October • St Mary’s Church Petworth GU28 OAD


Regent Hall Concerts - Paddington Brass

Friday 31 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Waltham St. Lawrence Silver Band

October 29 • Our welcoming non-contesting community band, based near Maidenhead, Bracknell and Reading, has openings for Percussion, kit and tuned: a lovely pair of timps awaits you!


Waltham St. Lawrence Silver Band

October 29 • Our inclusive non-contesting community band, based near Maidenhead, Bracknell and Reading, has vacancies for: . . Soprano Cornet. Solo Cornet. 2/3 Cornet. .


Waltham St. Lawrence Silver Band

October 29 • Our non-contesting community band, based near Maidenhead, Bracknell and Reading, seeks:. . 1st Horn . Solo Euphonium . 2nd Baritone .


Alan Widdop


Conductor, Brass teacher, Adjudicator (ABBA)


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd