*
banner

First Italian National Championship ready for the off

4BR will be heading to Italy later today to report on the first Italian National Brass Band Championship in Ascoli Piceno.

Italian Brass Band
  Italian bands have already made a mark on the European stage — but this is another remarkable step in development.

4BR will be heading to Italy later today to report on the inaugural Italian National Brass Band Championship, which will held in the beautiful town of Ascoli Piceno.

First winner

4BR Editor Iwan Fox and photographer Ian Clowes of Goldy Solutions will fly to Rome and then drive to the town where four bands will compete for the honour of being proclaimed the very first Italian National Champion.

4BR will report on the event which takes place on Saturday and will bring you a flavour of what is yet another remarkable step taken by the emerging Italian brass band community.

Bands from Italy have already made a mark at the European Championships (below) but after many years of hard work, the event marks the banding movement's coming of age in the country.

4BR will report on the event which takes place on Saturday and will bring you a flavour of what is yet another remarkable step taken by the emerging Italian brass band community4BR

Childs unable to judge

Unfortunately, 4BR has been informed that due to personal reasons Dr Robert Childs has had to withdraw as contest adjudicator.

He told 4BR: "I am deeply disappointed that I am unable to travel to Italy due to personal reasons to adjudicate at the Italian National Championship, but I wish the bands and the organisers the very best of luck at what is a historic event."

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    


Gray

Tributes for Gray as conductor announces Eccles departure

March 31 • Thanks and best wishes as 16 year partnership between Mareika Gray and Eccles Borough comes to an end.


Brass Band Week

Banding campaigns return this summer

March 31 • Brass Band Week and Proms in the Park return this Summer — so make sure you reach out and connect with your local communities.


gALASHILS

Report & Results: 2026 SBBA Solo & Ensemble Championships

March 31 • There was a fantastic day of competitive solo and ensemble action to enjoy at Bellshill Salvation Army Centre.


BBW

March Edition of Brass Band World magazine out now

March 31 • The latest edition of the leading brass band magazine is now out — packed with interviews, articles, reviews and news...


The Hepworth Band - Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra

Saturday 18 April • Huddersfield Town Hall HD1 2TA


Regent Brass - Woodbridge Excelsior Band and Russell Gray

Saturday 9 May • The Salvation Army (Regent Hall), Oxford Street, London W1C 2DJ


Contest: Whit Friday March Contests

Friday 29 May • Saddleworth & Tameside OL3


The Hepworth Band - Brassband Burgermusik Luzern

Saturday 30 May • Dewsbury Minster, Vicarage Road, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire WF12 8DD


Regent Brass - Living Lines

Sunday 5 July • St Saviour's, Pimlico, St.George's Square, Pimlico, London SW1V 3QW


Thornton Cleveleys Band

March 31 • MD VACANCY. Are you the missing piece to our FULL BAND?. We are a NW 3rd section band looking for our new MD. We are based just outside of Blackpool close to the M55 motorway. Mon+Thurs rehearsals.


St John's Band (Mossley)

March 29 • BBb BASS player required following our 4th place at the North West regionals. We are a friendly, welcoming 4th section band based in Tameside, Greater Manchester and we rehearse on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in Mossley.


St John's Band (Mossley)

March 29 • SOLO CORNET players required (position negotiable) following our 4th place at the North West regionals. We are a friendly, welcoming 4th section band based in Tameside, Greater Manchester and we rehearse on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in Mossley.


Ian Porthouse


Cornet soloist, clinician, conductor and adjudicator


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd