*
banner

BBC announces Young Brass Award finalists

The 2015 BBC Radio 2 Young Brass Award finalists have been announced.

radio 2 young brass
 

Adam Bokaris, David Gillson, Benjamin Goldscheider and Grant Jameson will compete in the final of the 2015 BBC Radio 2 Young Brass Award at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester next month.

Talented

The talented quartet were announced on a special programme broadcast on BBC Radio 2 on Thursday evening by Frank Renton.

Missing out

With the standard of playing being exceptionally high, it meant that trumpeter, Aaron Akugbo, tenor horn player, Siobhan Bates, Tredegar's baritone player, Jack Lapthorn, narrowly missed out on a finals berth along with Fairey's bass trombone player, Joshua Cirtina.

Each of the semi finalists recorded up to ten minutes of music for the judges, Jamie Prophet & Stephen Roberts to assess in January where they were accompanied by Brighouse & Rastrick under conductor Alan Morrison.

Three of a kind

The final will showcase three different instrumentalists: Benjamin Goldscheider, 17, plays french horn, whilst David Gillson, who has reached the final for the second year in a row, is a cornet student at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester in addition to playing with the Fairey Band.

Flowers', euphonium star, American, Grant Jameson, has also made it to the final for the second successive year, with another euphonium player, Australian, Adam Bokaris, who plays with Drighlington, named as the fourth finalist.

Eclectic mix

There was a variety of repertoire showcased by the contenders, with Benjamin opting for part of Weber's 'Horn Concerto' whilst David Gillson included Peter Meechan's 'Song' from his Concerto, 'Milestone'.

Grant Jameson opted to include Paganini's 'Carnival of Venice' and a composition by his brother, Joshua, with Adam Bokaris choosing more music from Peter Meechan for his challenge, 'Harry's Song' from his 'Origins Concerto'.

In the footsteps

The winner of the award, which is now in its eleventh year, will follow in the footsteps of the likes of Ross Knight, Stephen Sykes, Katrina Marzella, Lewis Musson, Ben Thomson, Matthew White, Josiah Walters and Matilda Lloyd.

The final, to be broadcast live on March 27th, will be judged by a panel of as yet unnamed judges and will be presented by Ken Bruce with Frank Renton conducting Grimethorpe Colliery Band.

Tickets

Tickets for the final are free and available from the RNCM box office or via www.bbc.co.uk/­youngbrassaward

'The 2015 BBC Radio 2 Young Brass Award winner will come from one of three different instrumentalists with three playing in a Championship Section Band'4BR

Listen to semi final

To listen to the eight semi finalists, click on the link below which should be online for around thirty days:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b051r6cc

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    


Hannah Caraker

Interview with Hannah Caraker

June 28 • 4BR Editor catches up the winner of the 2026 Brass Band Conductors Association flagship Conducting title.


hANNAH cARAKER

Caraker claims BBCA conducting crown

June 28 • There is an American victory in Halifax as Hannah Caraker claims flagship Brass Band Conductors Competition prize.


Van Looy

Van Looy to lead Carlton Main at British Open

June 28 • Glenn Van Looy will take the baton with Carlton Main Frickley Colliery for their British Open challenge.


Ollie Atherton

Atherton adds to Rath artist roster

June 28 • Brighouse & Rastrick bass trombone player Ollie Atherton has become a Rath Trombones artist.


Barnsley Brass - Black Dyke Band

Thursday 25 June • St Mary's Church. Church Street. Barnsley S70 2AH


Regent Hall Concerts - Junior Guildhall Brass Band

Friday 26 June • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Royal Sackbut Collective

Friday 26 June • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Dobcross Silver Band - Mossley Band

Sunday 28 June • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Regent Hall Concerts - Central Band of the RAF

Thursday 2 July • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Ashington Colliery Band

June 29 • Front Row Cornet & Tenor Trombone. . We're a friendly, ambitious Second Section band based in South East Northumberland just north of Blyth.. We rehearse Tuesdays & Thursdays, 19:30-21:30, and transport can be provided depending on location.


Tintwistle Band

June 29 • We are looking for front row cornet players to help complete our team.As a second section band we rehearse Monday&Thursday 8-10pm at our bandroom on Old Road in Tintwistle,under the baton of MD Jim Henson. We perform a variety of concerts all year round.


Enderby Band

June 28 • Midlands Championship section band seeks: 2 x cornet (positions negotiable), 1 x Eb bass, and percussionists.. . Enderby are a sociable, hardworking band with a balanced diary of concerts, contests, and social events.


Julian Bright


Conductor, Compere/MC, Cornet Soloist


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd