*
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    


Manager Musikklag

World Rankings — April update

April 26 • There has been significant movement in the latest rankings release, driven by a large number of contests over the last few months resulting in notable shifts and changes in the standings


Fodens

Foden's to preview Euro challenge

April 26 • England's representatives in Stavanger will be giving their supporters a preview of their musical challenge.


Hannah Peel

Radio: Brass Banding with Hannah Peel

April 25 • The first episode of the much anticipated new Radio 3 brass band series starts on Sunday with a musical trip to Norway...


Music

Own choice works revealed for Stavanger

April 25 • A wide ranging selection of major test-piece works will be performed in Stavanger.


Regent Hall Concerts - The Central Band of the Royal Air Force

Friday 25 April • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London. . W1C2DJ


Newstead Brass - Under Gaia

Saturday 26 April • Mansfield Palace Theatre. Leeming Street . Mansfield. Nottinghamshire NG18 1NG


Newstead Brass - St George's Day Celebration

Sunday 27 April • St Wilfrid's Church, Church Street, Kirkby In Ashfield NG17 8LA


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 4 May • St Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street SE10 9BJ


Contest: European Brass Band Championshiips

Friday 9 May • Konzerthaus, SandvigÃ¥ 1, 4007 Stavanger, Norway


Dobcross Silver Band

April 24 • Great opportunity for a PERCUSSIONIST to join this already talented section in what is already a band with a full brass section. We are looking to enhance our percussion section as we prepare for Nationals in September . Enjoyable playing and social band!


Hathersage Band

April 24 • SECOND TROMBONE. Hathersage Brass Band is a thriving non-contesting community band. We enjoy making music and have a comprehensive gig schedule. Are you the right person to join our happy band?


Chinnor Silver

April 22 • Our COMMUNITY BAND are recommencing rehearsals on 28th Monday at 11am in our bandroom and we would love you to join us.. We welcome players of all abilities who just fancy a friendly fun blow with cake and coffee thrown in.. Its all free so join us.


Jenny Gartside

Bsc Hons
Jeweller, brass band themed jewellery and pin badges


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd