*
banner

4BR to host live test piece workshop broadcast

4BR will be hosting a live, interactive test piece workshop broadcast on Monday night on the Fourth Section Area set work.

Cover
 

4BR is to host a live Regional test piece workshop broadcast on Monday evening (23rd February).

Partnership

In partnership with the Association of Brass Band Adjudicators (ABBA), and using the playing talents of Tredegar Town Band, 4BR will host the live broadcast starting at 8.30pm, on the 2015 Fourth Section Area set-work, ‘An English Pastorale’ by Dean Jones.

4BR Editor Iwan Fox will present the interactive programme with the help of Tredegar MD Ian Porthouse and leading ABBA adjudicator David Hirst, with viewers encouraged to use social media links to 4BR throughout the live workshop to help explore the work in the detail they want.

Exciting

“It’s certainly going to be something exciting and different on Monday night,” 4BR Director Anthony Banwell said.

“We want it to be a positive, interactive workshop experience — not a run through performance of the test piece — with people using our well established 4BR social media contacts to ask Ian and David questions and seek their opinions about aspects of how to approach the test piece.

We want it to help the bands, the players and conductors — and to shed something of a spotlight on what the judges could be looking out for.”

ABBA analysis

4BR recently published an ABBA analysis of ‘An English Pastorale’, presented by conductor and adjudicator Sarah Groarke-Booth, containing an important foreword by ABBA Chairman Alan Morrison.

This article will be used as reference material to assist conductors, players and viewers on the night.

Go to:

http://www.4barsrest.com/articles/2015/1478.asp#.VOdKr_msUg8

We want it to help the bands, the players and conductors — and to shed something of a spotlight on what the judges could be looking out for4BR Director, Anthony Banwell

Keep an eye out

Anthony Banwell added: “We are putting all the technical aspects in place for what should be an exciting new venture for 4BR — so keep an eye out for further updates before we broadcast on Monday evening.

We are also very grateful to Lake Music Publications for allowing us to undertake this initiative on their published work, and to ABBA and Kapitol Promotions.

We look forward to people joining us to play an active role in exploring a test piece in a new and exciting way.”

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.


David Hirst

MA, B.Ed (Hons), LTCL
Conductor, adjudicator and arranger


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd