*
banner

Youth judgement a great success in Yorkshire

The joint Youth Adjudication initiative between ABBA and the Yorkshire Regional Committee was a great success in Bradford last weekend.

bOX
 

The Association of Brass Band Adjudicators and the Yorkshire Regional Committee have told 4BR of their delight at the success of their recent Youth Adjudication initiative at the Yorkshire Regional Championship in Bradford last weekend.

Dip their toes

Four talented youngsters, all under the age of 18, took the opportunity to dip their toes in the adjudication waters by making their opinions on the Fourth Section set work, ‘An English Pastorale’ by Dean Jones.

Bethan Plant, Kai Spencer, Tommy Tynan and Ellie Watson, were mentored by ABBA Secretary David Hirst and training officer John Roberts who gave them an insight into the work, exploring the processes involved in assessing the performances in line with ABBAʼs Performance Assessment Criteria (PAC).

All 11 performances

The four listened to all 11 performances, writing their remarks sheets and compiling their final results sheets in line with normal practice, before listening intently to the official adjudicators David Thornton and Sandy Smith give their pre-results remarks.

An ABBA spokesperson told 4BR: “It was gratifying to note that the four young adjudicators were mostly in agreement with the official result!”

At the completion of the contest the four met with David Thornton and Sandy Smith to receive a thorough de-briefing of how they had reached their decision.

Very successful

Peggy Tomlinson of the YRBBC told 4BR: “We were pleased to be able to accommodate the youth panel with ABBA this year. It was very successful and indeed we found ourselves oversubscribed.

We were very pleased with the initiative and look forward to repeating the scheme in the future.”

This was the first joint venture between ABBA and YRBBC and one that has proved to be extremely successful. We look forward to further youth initiatives of this kind in the futureABBA

Excellent support

The ABBA spokesperson added: “We would like to thank Peggy and her team for their excellent support in this venture and also for their first class hospitality throughout the day.

Thanks must also go to David Thornton and Sandy Smith for participating so readily in the scheme — their professionalism and willingness to help was much appreciated.

This was the first joint venture between ABBA and YRBBC and one that has proved to be extremely successful. We look forward to further youth initiatives of this kind in the future.”

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    


National Finals

Adjudication panels for National Finals announced

July 22 • The panels of judges who will make the National Final decisions has been confirmed.


roomsforgroups

Hotel packages for London and York

July 22 • rooms4groups has some great deals on offer for the National Finals


Leeds Best of Brass

Best of Brass line-up announced

July 22 • Eight bands will provide the monthly entertainment as part of the Leeds International Concert series.


Black Dyke Band

Plaudit crescendo for Black Dyke Proms appearance

July 21 • Fans and critics alike have joined in a chorus of plaudits and congratulations for Black Dyke Band's BBC Proms appearance alongside soloist David Childs.


Regent Brass - Brass on the Grass

Wednesday 22 July • The College Garden, Westminster Abbey, Deans Yard, London SW1P 3PA


Sherborne Town Band - Free Music in the park

Sunday 26 July • Sherborne, Dorset-Pageant Gardens DT9 3NP


Sherborne Town Band - Free Summer Concert- Trowbridge Park

Sunday 9 August • Summer Concert- Trowbridge Park BA14 8AH


Regent Hall Concerts - Cross Bones Trombone Quintet

Friday 21 August • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Sherborne Town Band - Free-Music in the park

Sunday 23 August • Sherborne, Dorset-Pageant Gardens DT9 3NP


Chinnor Silver

July 21 • We are looking for PERCUSSIONISTS to join our ambitious,friendly and hard working 1st section band.Rehearsals are on Wednesdays in our own bandroom (no setting up and down). Good but realistic diary of concerts and contests including tour abroad in 2027.


Tintwistle Band

July 16 • We have a vacancy for soprano cornet, and with lots of exciting engagements coming up would love to get this seat filled! As a second section band,we rehearse every Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our bandroom in Tintwistle under the baton of MD Jim Henson.


City of Norwich Brass

July 16 • City of Norwich Brass seeks Front & Back Row Cornets, Solo Euphonium and EEb/BBb Basses. Join a friendly, ambitious band with a varied programme of concerts, contests and community performances. Rehearsals in Hethersett, Norwich.


James McLeod

BMus (hons)
Euphonium Soloist, Teacher and Conductor


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd