*
banner

Report & Results: 2016 City of Coventry & Warwickshire Brass Festival

Talented performers battle for the honours at the 7th annual Coventry & Warwickshire Brass Festival.

Luke Barker
 

The 7th annual City of Coventry & Warwickshire Brass Festival was held at Bablake School in Coventry on the weekend, and featured an excellent line-up of players both young and old taking part in the various solo, duet and ensemble sections.

Successful defence

Flowers horn star Paul Bennett retained his Festival Champion title for the third year running, beating off the strong Midlanders duo of Murray Borthwick (Desford) and Ian Wright (Jaguar Land Rover), whilst Luke Barker (Shipston) (above) retained his 'Best young Instrumentalist' title as well as scooping the new '18 and under' Air-Varie accolade.

Fantastic performances

The adjudicators for the event, which saw some fantastic performances from the very youngest competitors in particular in the brilliant '10 years & under' section, were Simon Hogg and Paul White, with the members of Jaguar Land Rover Band providing the stewarding.

Flowers horn star Paul Bennett retained his Festival Champion title for the third year running, beating off the strong Midlanders duo of Murray Borthwick (Desford) and Ian Wright (Jaguar Land Rover)4BR

Results:

10 years & Under Slow Melody:
1. Polly Rumble (NMPAT)
2. Rebecca Fletcher (Clinton Primary)
3. Henry Fifield (Shipston)

11 to 14 Slow Melody:
1. Luke Barker (Shipston)
2. Christopher Oddy (Enderby Youth)
3. Bethan Bown (Shipston)

Open Slow Melody:
1. Paul Bennett (Flowers)
2. Murray Borthwick (Desford)
3. Ian Wright (Jaguar Land Rover)

Duets 14 & Under:
1. Luke Barker & Grace Coates (Shipston)
2. Grace Coates & Bethan Bown (Shipston)
3. Bethan Bown & Sasha Turner (Shipston)

Duets 15 & Over:
1. Ian Wright & Andy Mayell (Jaguar Land Rover)
2. Linda Hobbs & Mick Wild (Jaguar Land Rover)
3. Kevin Whittaker & Micah Parsons (JLR and City of Coventry Brass)

Quartets 18 & Under:
1. Shipston

Quartets — Open:
1. Jaguar Land Rover
2. Shipston

Air Varie — 18 and under:
1. Luke Barker (Shipston)
2. Christopher Oddy (Enderby Youth)
3. Sasha Turner (Shipston)

Air Varie — Open:
1. Paul Bennett (Flowers)
2. Murray Borthwick (Desford)
3. Ian Wright (Jaguar Land Rover)

Best Instrumentalist 14 & Under:
Luke Barker (Shipston)

Festival Champion:
Paul Bennett (Flowers)

Youngest Girl: Tallulah Matthews (Shipston)
Youngest Boy: Peter Coates (Shipston)

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    


No European Championship in England in 2028

January 24 • A difficult funding landscape sees BBE withdraw from hosting the European Championship in Birmingham in 2028


Van looy

Van Looy ready for Bourgeois challenge

January 23 • The Belgian euphonium star will showcase one of the most fearsome concertos for the instrument at the RNCM Festival with Welsh Champion, Tredegar.


Concord Brass Band

4BR Friday interview with Concord Brass Band

January 22 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox talks to Steffen Maersk of the Danish National Champion as they get ready for their RNCM International Brass Band Festival debuts this weekend.


Meadeuphs

Euph and baritone prelude to RNCM Festival

January 22 • The RNCM Euphonium & Baritone Ensemble will provide the musical aperitif for the weekend of concert performances and discussions in Manchester.


Regent Hall Concerts - The January Band

Friday 23 January • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


The Hepworth Band - New Year Concert

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


Dobcross Silver Band - Whitburn Band

Sunday 1 February • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


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


Cambrian Brass

January 24 • We are a friendly, inclusive and hard-working brass band, welcoming players of all ages and abilities. We are particularly keen to fill our Soprano Cornet, Flugelhorn and EEb Bass positions.


Newtown Silver Band

January 24 • Newtown Silver Band are recruiting a Musical Director. We seek a leader with brass band experience who can motivate and develop players. A charismatic individual who can shape and deliver concert programmes to be enjoyed by both players and audience.


Newtown Silver Band

January 24 • Newtown Silver Band invites applications for the position of Musical Director.. The band rehearse every Thursday evening from 1930 - 2130 . The Musical Director will take a leadership role working with the senior band and will liaise with the training ban


Kevin Wadsworth


Conductor, adjudicator, teacher (ABBA)


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd