*
banner

More Energy released at Butlins in 2014

There will be something iconic, melodic, historic, appropriate and even hagiographic to play at Butlins in 2014...

Butlins
 

The Butlins Mineworkers Championship has announced the list of works that will be used as the test pieces at the 2014 Festival in Skegness.

Iconic

Robert Simpson’s iconic ‘Energy’, first used as the set work for the 1971 World Championship will provide the stern test for the top section contenders. The work was subsequently used at the British Open in 1980 and again at the National Finals in 1991.

Melodic

Meanwhile, Paul Lovatt-Cooper’s three-movement, ‘Vitae Aeternum’, written in 2007 for Black Dyke, and never before used as a set work test piece, will be a more modern test of melodic discipline for the First Section.

Historic

One of the great classics of historic banding repertoire, ‘Kenilworth’ by Arthur Bliss, written for the 1936 National Championships of Great Britain, will prove to be an enjoyable hurdle to overcome for the Second Section contenders.

Robert Simpson’s iconic ‘Energy’, first used as the set work for the 1971 World Championship will provide the stern test for the top section contenders4BR

Appropriate

Philip Sparke’s appropriately entitled, ‘Music for a Festival’, used a the set work for the last CISWO Third Section event held at Blackpool in 2002, will test the Third Section contenders.

Hagiographic

The Fourth Section competitors also have the opportunity to showcase their musical understanding of the Cornish Saints of Petroc, Breward and Manfreda, in Goff Richard’s colourful 1988 Third Section Regional test piece, ‘Three Saints’.

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    


Brass Band Treize Etoiles

World Rankings: 2025 End of year update

January 7 • Treize Etoiles shine bright as Swiss stars claim historic top spot in 2025 World Rankings after a stellar season.


Composer Competition

Whelan makes magic to win UniBrass prize

January 7 • 'All Magic Comes at a Price' wins the 2026 UniBrass Composition Competition title.


Joey Wong

4BR Wednesday interview with Joey Wong

January 6 • We meet up with the 22 year old conductor from Hong Kong hoping to become the 2026 National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain Conductors Competition winner.


Winter Gardens

North West Regional line-ups announced

January 6 • 75 bands will kick off the 2026 Regional Championships in Blackpool in March.


Newstead Brass - Brett Baker

Saturday 17 January • St Wilfrid's Church, . Kirkby-in-Ashfield NG17 8LA


The Hepworth Band - New Year Concert

Sunday 25 January • Christ Church, New Mill, Holmfirth HD9 7ER


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 6 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: London & Southern Counties Regional Championships

Saturday 21 March • Arts & Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, Stevenage SG1 1LZ


Mid Rhondda Band

January 6 • Mid Rhondda Band are currently looking for a trombone player and percussionists to join the team. We are a friendly, welcoming 3rd section band working towards competing in the Welsh Area in March. We also have a variety of events booked for 2026.


The Marple Band

January 6 • Bb Bass and Tuned Percussionist vacancies to join our fabulous band. We are a friendly, ambitious 2nd Section band, starting an exciting new year.


Christchurch Vintage Brass

January 6 • Bb Bass required for our friendly non contesting day time band. We rehearse Monday afternoons from 13:30 in Southbourne near Bournemouth with refreshments afterwards. MD Steve Chislett.


Chris King

MBA, BMus(Hons), LRSM, AoBBA
Conductor, Arranger, Adjudicator, Compere, Band Trainer


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd