*
banner

BBC Award leaves Boobs & Brass speechless

The wonderful Boobs & Brass are still coming to terms with winning the BBC Music Day Brass Band Award.

Boobs and Brass
  The wonderful Boobs & Brass are still coming to terms with their well deserved BBC Award.

Maggie Betts, the co-founder of the charity fund-raising band Boobs & Brass has spoken to 4BR about her pride as well as disbelief on being presented with the BBC Power of Music Brass Band Award at the recent Whit Friday contests.

"It's unbelievable, completely unbelievable,"she said. "I'm still lost for words."

Completely shocked

Thankfully, Maggie was still able to explain that a colleague had initially made her aware of the search by BBC Radio 2's 'Listen to the Band' programme, but was then 'completely shocked' to find out that they were to be presented with the award by Frank Renton at the famous Delph Whit Friday.

"I was completely shocked to find out about two weeks before Whit Friday and was sworn to secrecy with a confidentiality agreement.

The BBC informed us that they would like us to perform a mini concert at 3.00pm, so it meant having to adjust the times of departure with the coach company and rehearse a couple of bits of music without saying why to the rest of the band!"

Wry smiles

However, Maggie admitted that she did have a wry smile on her face though when a couple of the Boobs & Brass girls put two and two together and twigged the reason.

"A couple twigged but said nothing, but the first time the whole band knew was when Frank Renton told everyone that the Listen to the Band programme was also there to present us with the BBC Power of Music Award."

I was completely shocked to find out about two weeks before Whit Friday and was sworn to secrecy with a confidentiality agreementMaggie Betts

Tears of joy

She added: "There were plenty of tears of joy as this has been a huge team effort and an acknowledgement of not just what Jayne and I have tried to do.

None of it would have been possible without the players, conductors, supporters and donors, and I just can't put into words what Boobs and Brass means to us. Our thanks go to the BBC, Frank Renton and Listen to the Band for a day that will stay with us all".

Up next is a concert with Strata Brass this weekend followed by a concert in Cardiff on 24th June with Cory flugel star Helen Williams.

Listen again

To listen to Boobs & Brass and the Listen to the Band broadcast over the next 30 days go to:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08t3ljx

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    


NYBBGB

NYBBGB concert reprise this Friday

September 18 • You can sit back and enjoy a repeat of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain's Summer Concert this Friday evening.


Future

Brass Foundations Future Leaders graduate with distinction

September 18 • The first cohort of future brass band leaders graduate from the pioneering BBE programme.


cooperation and adams

Adams and coop in percussion partnership

September 18 • Adams Percussion and the cooperation band have entered into a new percussion partnership.


Dutch

Dutch judges announced

September 18 • The adjudication panels for the Dutch National Championships have been confirmed.


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band at Petworth Heritage weekend

Saturday 20 September • Centre of Petworth Town GU28 OAH


Cheltenham Silver Band - Holst Birthday Concert

Saturday 20 September • All Saints Church, All Saints Road, Pittville, Cheltenham GL52 2HG


Dobcross Silver Band - Milnrow Band

Sunday 21 September • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards Big Band

Friday 26 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Brass Bands England - The Brass Band Conference

Saturday 27 September • Redhills Durham Miners Hall, Durham DH1 4BE


Haverhill Silver Band

September 17 • Haverhill Silver Band (Championship Section) seeks a FRONT ROW CORNET (position negotiable). This is a superb opportunity to join East Anglia's premier brass band for the L&SC area contest, the Senior Cup, Whit Friday and beyond.


Cheltenham Silver Band

September 16 • Required:. Musical Director : Cheltenham Silver Academy Band Following the relocation of our current conductor we are looking for a progressive, passionate and dedicated individual to lead our Academy Band, and to support our continued improvement.


Chinnor Silver

September 16 • We need a Bass player (either Bb or Eb) and a percussionist to join our happy team! The band is promoted to the first section in 2026 and were also 2025 Second section National Finalists. We rehearse on Wednesday evenings in our own bandroom in Chinnor


Nigel Seaman

ARMCM ARNCM
Conductor, band trainer, teacher and adjudicator


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd