*
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    


podcast

Latest 4BR Review podcast

February 23 • The latest live 4BR Review podcast will be aired on Wednesday 25th February at 7.00pm — so why not bookmark it and join us with your views as we preview of the 2026 Regional Championships and more...


Wantage

Report & Result: 2026 Welsh Open

February 23 • Wantage are in a winning frame of mind to claim the entertainment honours in Newport


British Open

Spring Festival tickets now on sale

February 23 • Tickets for the 104th British Open Spring Festival in Birmingham in May are now on sale — with discounts available.


Yazu

Black Dyke's RNCM concert now on Wobplay

February 23 • The Yorkshire champion's concert appearance at the recent RNCM International Brass Band Festival can now be enjoyed on the Wobplay media platform.


Regent Hall Concerts - Oompah Brass XXL

Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 1 March • St. Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street. London SE10 9BJ


Regent Hall Concerts - London Central Fellowship Band

Saturday 7 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Regent Hall Band of the Salvation Army

Tuesday 10 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Chinnor Silver

February 23 • Our COMMUNITY BAND are meeting on MONDAY 2nd at 11am in our bandroom.. Join us for a relaxed friendly blow with coffee and cake as an added bonus.. Playing with us wont impact your No1 band so come along for a blow.


St Albans Brass Band

February 19 • TUNED PERCUSSION PLAYER Wanted. St Albans Band. Rehearsals Wednesdays 8 to 10pm. Varied programme of concerts, gigs and civic events throughout the year. Friendly, welcoming brass band. Experienced players and returners welcome. www.stalbansband.co.uk


St Albans Brass Band

February 19 • Bb BASS PLAYER Wanted. St Albans Band. Rehearsals Wednesdays 8 to 10pm. Varied programme of concerts, gigs and civic events throughout the year. Friendly, welcoming brass band. Experienced players and returners welcome. www.stalbansband.co.uk


Stephen Phillips

MA, BA (Homs), PQSI, NPQH, PGCE
Conductor, Band Trainer, Educator, Compere


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd