*
banner

A principal with distinction

Pemberton DW's principal cornet Joanne Johnson has just gained a very personal distinction.

Joanne
 

Pemberton DW Band’s principal cornet player Joanne Johnson is celebrating a personal performance of the highest quality after gaining her Masters in Performance with distinction at Salford University.

Integral

Joanne has been the band’s principal cornet for the past 16 years joining them when they were in the Third Section and has been an integral part of their rise in becoming a prominent Championship Section force.

Loved it

She qualified as an optician in 2001, but decided to make the most of her musical abilities too and started the Masters course last year.

Joanne told 4BR: "I’ve absolutely loved the last twelve months at Salford; from having lessons with cornet legend Brian Taylor to making friends for life. I can’t thank the band and Mark Bentham enough for the time and effort they put into helping me prepare and accompany me for my final recital."

I can’t thank the band and Mark Bentham enough for the time and effort they put into helping me prepare and accompany me for my final recitalJoanne Johnson

Looking forward

She added: "The band has a very busy concert period to look forward to now with only a couple of free weekends to the end of the year, and we are all looking forward to taking part in the Scottish Open Championship in Perth in November."

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


Ibstock Brick Brass

May 9 • Ibstock Brick Brass are looking for a Solo Cornet, 3rd Cornet, 2nd Horn, Bass Trombone and B Flat Tuba as we move into the second section from 2027. We are a friendly, ambitions and progressive band that rehearse at our own bandroom in Coalville.


Tintwistle Band

May 9 • Tintwistle Band are looking for a 2nd horn player to help complete the team. We rehearse Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our own bandroom on Old Road in Tintwistle, and perform a variety of concerts all year round.


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


Mark Wilkinson


Cornet Soloist, Teacher, Adjudicator, Conductor


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd