*
banner

Gregson works to test Swedish Nationals

Works by Edward Gregson will test the competing bands at this weekend's Swedish National Championship in Varnamo.

Edward Gregson
 

The Swedish National Championship will take place this weekend in Varnamo, a small town located in the south of Sweden.

Professor Edward Gregson, who celebrates his 70th birthday this year, is the invited guest of honour with his compositions providing the set works in the three main sections.

Elite Division

The five bands in the Elite Section will perform his 1984 work 'Dances & Arias' with the winner gaining the invitation to compete at the 2016 European Championship in Lille.

'Occasion' will test the six First Section competitors, with one of his earliest works, 'Partita' challenging the six bands in the Second Division. 11 ensembles will take part in the youth band Minibrass section (players up to 15 years of age), who will perform four movements from 'New Horizons' for Beginner Brass Ensemble.

Supply of young players

The Minibrass ensembles not only compete each year but also play at the Saturday evening Gala Concert. Over the past 13 years the event has also provided Swedish banding with a supply of talented young performers, many of who are now playing in bands at the Championship and in other countries.

There will also be a Festival Section for non-competing bands.

Gregson seminar

Professor Gregson will also give a seminar entitled, '50 years of composing for brass bands' recalling his time as composer from his first visit to Sweden in 1964, where he wrote his first brass band march, 'Dalaro' at a Salvation Army Student Conference.

Windcorp concert

The festival will start on Friday evening with an opening concert given by Windcorp Brass Band, conducted by Prof Garry E Cutt, featuring soloists Glenn van Looy and Lucy Cutt.

Windcorp celebrates its 10th anniversary this year and will be looking to add to the seven National titles it has already won, although there has been a resurgence in rivals such as the Stockholm based Solna Brass and the youthful Gota Brass, who will participate for the first time.

Professor Edward Gregson, who celebrates his 70th birthday this year, is the invited guest of honour with his compositions providing the set works in the three main sections4BR

Judges

The international panel of adjudicators in the different sections are Hannes Buchegger, Frans Violet, Edward Gregson, Glenn Van Looy, Kjell Erik Paulsrud and Michael Zoppas.

The Gala Concert on Saturday evening features Brass Band Willebroek from Belgium conducted by Frans Violet.

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    


NYBBGB

Last call for NYBBGB Conducting Competition

October 31 • The last bar is closing for the 2025 NYBBGB Conducting Competition — as 1st November looms for entries.


Desford Band

Rankings update: October

October 31 • Desford storm back into top ten as five-way battle for world number one goes down to the wire


Tivoli

Final countdown for Dutch National Championships

October 31 • 4BR will be heading to Utrecht to bring live comments on the Dutch National Championships.


siddis

Wobplay to broadcast SIDDIS entertainment

October 31 • Norwegian bands are putting the final touches to their preparations ahead of their entertainment challenges in Stavanger this weekend.


Regent Hall Concerts - Paddington Brass

Friday 31 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Regent Hall Band of the Salvation Army

Sunday 2 November • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 2 November • St Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street. SE10 9BJ SE10 9BJ


Dobcross Silver Band - Elland Silver Band

Sunday 2 November • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 7 November • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Drighlington Band

October 30 • Drighlington Band are looking for the following players for a full compliment: . . - Front Row Cornet . - Euph or Baritone or Trombone (we are flexible!) . - Percussion (Kit or tuned)


Hathersage Band

October 30 • BACK ROW CORNET. Hathersage Brass Band is a thriving, non-contesting community band. We enjoy our music making, play a wide variety of music and have a good gig schedule. Are you the right person to join our happy band?


Delph Band

October 30 • The Band are always looking for talented players to join them and are currently looking to fill the following positions - Tutti Cornet, Eb Bass and Percussion.. . We rehearse Mondays and Wednesdays 8-10pm at Delph Band Club.


Jason M Smith


Band Trainer (Contest Preparation), Conductor


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd