*
banner

4BR set for 164th British Open Championship

4BR will be at the British Open in Birmingham on Saturday — with plenty of brilliant coverage and the chance to use Steven Mead's adjudication criteria to pick your own winner.

British Open
  4BR will bring you all the action as it unfolds from Symphony Hall this weekend.

The 164th British Open Championship will take place at Symphony Hall in Birmingham on Saturday when 19 of the world's finest brass bands battle it out on Peter Graham's set-work, 'The Triumph of Time' to see who will lift the famous Gold Shield in victory.

Live comments

4BR will be providing our usual coverage — including our comments on each performance from our resident experts Chris Thomas and Steven Mead, whilst Ian Clowes of Goldy Solutions will be providing his usual brilliant images to bring your an extra flavour of what is going on.

Steven Mead Adjudication Criteria

We have joined forces with Steve to give as many people as possible the chance to try out his criteria based adjudication system — one that he feels offers a much more modern and effective way of looking at aspects of a brass band contest performance.

Steve's markings will be published on our live coverage, but we hope you will also take the opportunity to download the criteria and explanation sheets and have a go yourself.

Please go to:

http://www.euphonium.net/home.php?newsID=317

You can then download the sheets at:

http://www.euphonium.net/download.php?id=145

Steve's markings will be published on our live coverage, but we hope you will also take the opportunity to download the criteria and explanation sheets and have a go yourself4BR

Articles

We will also be updating you with our twitter feed and plenty of interviews throughout the day — from the draw to the announcement of the results and post performance analysis with conductors and players as they come off the Symphony Hall stage.

Marple Memories

4BR has been busy with our pre-contest coverage as we lead up to the day, so why not enjoy our look back at Marple's historic victory at the event 20 years ago in 1996.

http://4barsrest.com/articles/2016/1574.asp

Test piece review

If you want to find out more about this year's set work, then we have a test-piece review that tells you more about its inspiration and the elements to listen out for.

http://4barsrest.com/articles/2016/1574a.asp

Preview & Predictions

And if you want to find out who we have given the famous 4BR 'Kiss of Death' to then enjoy our special preview and predictions.

http://4barsrest.com/articles/2016/1574b.asp

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    


wobplayeuros

Get ready to enjoy the European experience with Wobplay

April 22 • There will be day after day of fantastic coverage from the 2026 European Championships thanks to World of Brass and wobplay. So why not just sign up, relax and enjoy...


Adams

Adams link with Percussi Aeris duo

April 22 • Scottish duo Paula O'Malley and Chris Flynn have become Adams artists as company strengthens links to banding world.


BBE Brass Band Week

Brass Band Week and Proms in Playground campaigns launched

April 22 • There are fantastic opportunities to reach out to new audiences as part of Brass Band England's Summer initiatives.


Livestream

Spring Festival and Open streaming details confirmed

April 22 • You can now sign up ahead of the 104th British Open Spring Festival to ensure you don't miss a single note of the action.


Regent Hall Concerts - Central Band of the Royal Air Force

Friday 1 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 3 May • St Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street SE10 9BJ


Regent Hall Concerts - FiveBy5 Trumpet Quintet

Tuesday 5 May • Charlton House and Gardens. Charlton Road, . London. . SE7 8RE


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 8 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Wardle Anderson Brass Band - Wardle Junior Blast

Friday 8 May • Milnrow Parish Church, 16 Westward Ho, Milnrow, Rochdale OL16 3JX


CLEETHORPES BAND CIO

April 23 • Cleethorpes Band are seeking a Musical Director. The band rehearse on Thursday and Sunday evenings. Placed 3rd in the North of England 4th section contest. We are a registered charity and have a thriving training band.


Leicestershire Co-op Band

April 23 • SOLO HORN Vacancy. The Leicestershire Co-op Band (2nd Section National Finalists & 1st Section from 2027) have a vacancy for Solo Horn. We are an ambitious band with a healthy balance of contests and concerts, always striving for high musical standards.


City of Norwich Brass

April 23 • City of Norwich Brass are seeking a talented and confident solo (tutti) cornet player to join our friendly and ambitious band. We offer a welcoming environment with a diverse and challenging musical repertoire playing at regular concerts and contests


Duncan Wilson

Bmus(hons), LGSMD
Conductor, Adjudicator (member AoBBA)


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd