*
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    


RNCM

Research recognition for RNCM

January 8 • The Royal Northern College of Music adds to its established recognition as a leading centre for the advanced study of music performance and composition.


ODBBA

ODBBA confident of capacity turn-out

January 8 • You will need to be quick to make sure you get your entry in for the Oxford & District Brass Band Association Winter Contest.


Geneva Clans

Geneva boost to cross border battle

January 8 • Geneva Instruments has boosted the prize funds for the forthcoming 'Clans vs Counties Contest' in June.


Elland

Elland to lead youth procession to the Minster

January 8 • Eight youth and training bands will provide the musical entertainment at Halifax Minster next month.


Newstead Brass - Brett Baker

Saturday 17 January • St Wilfrid's Church, . Kirkby-in-Ashfield NG17 8LA


The Hepworth Band - New Year Concert

Sunday 25 January • Christ Church, New Mill, Holmfirth HD9 7ER


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 6 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: London & Southern Counties Regional Championships

Saturday 21 March • Arts & Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, Stevenage SG1 1LZ


Putney and Wimbledon Brass Band

January 8 • Following our promotion to the 2nd section we are looking for a percussionist to do a bit of bing bonging on the timps for the regionals in March. We are a lovely band - everyone says so - so please get in touch. Rehearsals Weds from 1930 in Putney.


Mid Rhondda Band

January 6 • Mid Rhondda Band are currently looking for a trombone player and percussionists to join the team. We are a friendly, welcoming 3rd section band working towards competing in the Welsh Area in March. We also have a variety of events booked for 2026.


The Marple Band

January 6 • Bb Bass and Tuned Percussionist vacancies to join our fabulous band. We are a friendly, ambitious 2nd Section band, starting an exciting new year.


Derek Renshaw

ABBA Member
Conductor, Band Trainer and Adjudicator.


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd