*
banner

Verwood victorious, happy and glorious!

The Verwood Concert Brass organisation will be enjoying the festive season after a memorable year was rounded off with a brace of victories.

Verwood Concert Brass
 

The Verwood Concert Brass organisation is celebrating a fantastic end to what has been a memorable contesting year, with a brace of victories at the recent Wessex BBA contest held in Bournemouth.

Wessex Champion

The Open Section event saw 18 bands take part, and as reported on 4BR it was Verwood Concert Brass that claimed the overall Wessex Champion honours with a cracking performance of 'Dances & Arias' under the baton of Kevin Smith.

Not to be outdone in beating higher nationally ranked bands to the silverware, the sibling Verwood Town Band also romped home to take the 'Best Fourth Section Band' honours with a classy rendition of 'A Haslemere Suite', led by Emma Button.

Brilliant note

All this though and to top things off on a brilliant note, Verwood Youth Band under Kevin Smith performed a short concert during the contest lunch break, with the youngsters, aged between 6 and 18 delighting the audience with their playing.

Wonderful day

Kevin told 4BR: "It was such a wonderful day for the whole Verwood Concert Brass family, with over 70 players taking part. There was a great start with Emma and the Town Band, followed by a wonderful concert and then the senior Concert Brass victory.

Emma is doing a wonderful job and our youth players are ensuring we secure our future. As for the senior band — what a performance! I thank them all for all their hard work and dedication."

Fantastic year

Band Manager, Mike Dunnings added: "Becoming Wessex Champion rounds off a fantastic year for Verwood Concert Brass adding to the Oxford & District and Weston-super-Mare victories earlier in the year.

Alongside the Town Band's great win, this is a brilliant achievement and stands us in good stead for competing in the Championship Section in March at the West of England Area."

Emma is doing a wonderful job and our youth players are ensuring we secure our future. As for the senior band — what a performance! I thank them all for all their hard work and dedicationVerwood Concert Brass, MD, Kevin Smith

So proud

Emma meanwhile was equally delighted: "I'm so proud of the band and the effort they put in during rehearsals. The result just shows it was all worthwhile. I couldn't be happier!"

In addition to the band awards there were also individual and section awards to the 'Best Percussion' team of Henry Boler, Ella Walker and Emma Graves and 'Best Instrumentalist', principal cornet Elaine Close.

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    


Gregson

Gregson at 80 in Scotland

October 28 • Music by and chosen by the acclaimed composer will be performed at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland this evening.


Paul Mealor

Foden's to premiere new Paul Mealor work at leading festival

October 28 • Foden's will give the world premiere of 'Tranquil Abiding' at St Asaph Cathedral as part of the North Wales International Music Festival.


Harry Porthouse

Porthouse reprise at Leyland

October 28 • Harry Porthouse takes over the principal cornet seat at Leyland Band from Lewis Barton — following in his father's footsteps.


Tredeagr Band

New addition to Tredegar tuba team

October 28 • Edward Falloon, the principal tuba of the National Youth Orchestra joins the bass section at the Welsh Champion.


Regent Hall Concerts - Central Band of the RAF

Friday 24 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Amersham Band

Friday 24 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Haverhill Silver Band - Concert in Thaxted Church

Saturday 25 October • haxted Parish Church. Watling St, Thaxted CM6 2PE


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band VE & VJ Day Remembrance Concert

Saturday 25 October • St Mary’s Church Petworth GU28 OAD


Regent Hall Concerts - Paddington Brass

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


Welwyn Garden City Band

October 28 • We are a friendly & sociable Second Section Band with an exciting and varied Christmas season ahead. Due to an employment relocation, we have an immediate vacancy for a FRONT ROW CORNET player.


Lostock Hall Brass Band

October 27 • Lostock Hall Memorial Brass Band, North West 2nd Section seek applications for a vibrant, enthusiastic Musical Director to continue to develop and grow the band. With a great mix of youth and experience we are based just off M6 JCT 29 Near Preston


Olney Brass

October 27 • Currently seeking the following players to complete our line up: Solo Cornet, Soprano Cornet, Flugel Horn & Eb Bass. We are a friendly and ambitious, 2nd section L&SC area brass band, with a good mixture of concerts, fetes and contests throughout the year


Craig Roberts

BA (Hons), MA
Conductor / Adjudicator


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd