*
banner

4BR Boxing Day Brain Tickler

Something to get the brain working after all that food and drink on Christmas Day. You have to show your workings out though..

4br
 

Quite a bit of working out if you are to get to the ultimate answer of our Boxing Day brain teaser.

First letter

All you have to do is work out the answers of the 17 fairly easy questions below. The first letter of each should eventually give you the name of the 4BR Editor's favourite classic brass band test piece.

You must show your working out of how you got to the eventual name of the test-piece to get your hands on a cracking batch of CDs.

Have fun...

1. The little, not omnipotent, bit of Rolf Rudin's 4BR prize-winning European test piece.

2. Opera by Wagner inspired by the last Tribune of Rome: Later arranged as a National Finals and Area test piece.

3. Metrical psalm tune of uncertain origin — sung to the words 'All people that on earth do dwell'.

4. Tuned percussion instrument — African in origin — low pitched, lower in tone, richer in sound than a xylophone.

5. Welsh festival of music, poetry, dance and literature held every year — full of bards and druids heralded by the trumpet playing principal cornets of Tredegar and Fairey Bands.

6. A major 3rd in a tonic chord at the end of composition in a minor key — most famously 'The Coventry Carol'.

7. Surname of the composer of 'Pageantry' and 'Three Figures'.

8. Brass band instrument originally invented around 1843 by F. Sommer of Weimer — taking its name from the Greek for 'pleasant sounding'.

9. 'A Sailor's Life' — in French. Test piece with fearsome opening for soprano cornet...

10. Musical instrument of sinuous, reptilian shape: Forerunner of the ophicleide in brass bands.

11. The...... subject matter of Eric Ball British Open test piece. Inspired by poet Louis Untermeyer's line 'And, when at last the fight is won, God, keep me still unsatisfied'.

12. Italian word meaning 'nothing'. Often found at the end of reflective compositions.

13. Surname of composer of 'Grimethorpe Aria'.

14. National Finals test-piece inspired by epic Finnish poetry about a Nordic God who rides an eight legged horse called Sleipnir.

15. Name generally given to Schubert's Symphony No 8 in B Minor D759.

16. The.... famous cornet solo named after a bird with the Latin name Luscinia megarhynchos.

17. The first degree of the scale in the Tonic Solfa system and the famous utterance of cartoon character Homer Simpson.

You must show your working out of how you got to the eventual name of the test-piece to get your hands on a cracking batch of CDs4BR

Answers:

E-mail us the answer before midnight on 27th December with your contact telephone details at: quiz@4barsrest.com

Christmas Eve winner:

The answer to our Christmas Even brain teaser of the identity of a leading character in Donizetti's 1835 opera 'Lucia di Lammermoor', the Hollywood home of actress Mae West and a famous Whit Friday march by the great William Rimmer?

It was Ravenswood.

The winner was Jeremy Home, who will be getting a late Christmas prezzie of a selection box of CDs.

Jeremy plays for Friary Guildford Band and has been enjoying a great festive season doing the rounds of carolling.

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    


Blackpool Brass

A towering 60 years to be celebrated by Blackpool Brass

August 30 • The band from the famous seaside resort looks to celebrate its 60th anniversary later this year with friends and a few old Blackpool stars...


Brighouse

Cash prize increase for British Open winner

August 30 • The newly crowned British Open champion will win the largest cash prize in current world banding.


Kirkintilloch

Report & Result: 2026 West of Scotland Entertainment Contest

August 30 • Kirkintilloch continues their fine form with a return to the top at Troon.


nybbgb

Broadcast repeats of NYBBGB Summer Concerts

August 29 • You will be able to enjoy the performances of both the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain Childrens Band and the senior National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain on YouTube next month.


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


Sherborne Town Band - Free-Music in the park

Sunday 13 September • Sherborne, Dorset-Pageant Gardens DT9 3NP


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards

Thursday 17 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Duchess of Edinburgh String Orchestra

Friday 18 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


CROFTON SILVER BAND

August 30 • CROFTON SILVER BAND - FIRST SECTION YORKSHIRE BAND. We are seeking a MD to lead a welcoming, ambitious, fun-loving group, passionate about making fantastic music and enjoying the journey together. . Rehearsals Monday & Thursday 8-10pm Fitzwilliam, Wakefield


Waltham St. Lawrence Silver Band

August 29 • Our inclusive non-contesting community band, based near Maidenhead, Bracknell and Reading, has vacancies for: . . Solo Cornet. Soprano Cornet. 2/3 Cornet. .


Waltham St. Lawrence Silver Band

August 29 • Our welcoming non-contesting community band, based near Maidenhead, Bracknell and Reading, has openings for: . Percussion, kit and tuned: a lovely pair of timps awaits you!


Derek Renshaw

ABBA Member
Conductor, Band Trainer and Adjudicator.


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd