*
banner

Open offers worldwide fraternal greetings

Everything is in place for the 165th British Open — with a warm welcome assured for competitors and listeners alike.

bRITISH oPEN
  Everything is in place for the 165th British Open Championship

The list of competing bands that will tackle Thierry Deleruylle's 'Fraternity' at the 165th British Open Championship at Symphony Hall on Saturday September 9th has been released by the contest organisers.

Sold out

Such has been the demand for tickets that the 'sold out' signs were posted weeks ago, with any person hoping to get to hear the action asked to contact the Symphony Hall box office to enquire about potential last minute returns.

It is the fourth year in a row that the event, sponsored by Besson, has been sold out, with the audience eager to hear the bands battle it out for the famous Gold Shield.

Meanwhile, the bands themselves have been reminded that they need to ensure that their player registration details are all in order well before the contest.

Extra time

As stated previously on 4BR, both performers and listeners are reminded that extra security checks will be in place on the day — so extra time is required by all to ensure every things runs smoothly.

As always there will be study scores, souvenir programmes and plenty of trade stands for people to enjoy and browse. Birmingham Citadel Band will be performing in the foyer from 9.15am.

The contest starts promptly at 10.30am.

As stated previously on 4BR, both performers and listeners are reminded that extra security checks will be in place on the day — so extra time is required by all to ensure every things runs smoothly4BR

Competing Bands:

Black Dyke (Prof Nicholas Childs)
Brighouse & Rastrick (Prof David King)
Carlton Main Frickley Colliery (Erik Janssen)
Co-operative Funeralcare (Allan Ramsay)
Cory (Philip Harper)
Desford Colliery (Leicestershire Miners Trust Fund) (Michael Fowles)
Fairey (Garry Cutt)
Flowers (David Childs)
Foden's (Bramwell Tovey)
Grimethorpe Colliery (Allan Withington)
Jaguar Land Rover (Dave Lea)
Leyland (Thomas Wyss)
Milnrow (Mark Bentham)
Rothwell Temperance (David Roberts)
Tredegar (Ian Porthouse)
Valaisia Brass Band (Arsene Duc)
Wingates (Paul Andrews)
Whitburn (Florent Didier)

Find out more

To find out more go to:

https://www.thsh.co.uk/event/165th-british-open-supported-by-besson#tab0=details

www.thebritishopen.net

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    


Chinnor

New direction at Chinnor

January 17 • Chris Andrews takes the baton alongside a trio of new signings as the band looks forward to making its First Section debut at Stevenage.


webster

Wonderful response to charity concert

January 17 • A concert to help raise funds for a young family man with a close connection to the old banding world has already gained a wonderful response of support.


Review

4BR Review — Episode 14

January 16 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox is joined by Chris Thomas and special guest Dr David Thornton to preview the 2026 RNCM International Brass Band Festival in Manchester.


Finalists

Final beats made ahead of NYBBGB Conducting Final

January 16 • Ammal Bhatia, Megan Bousfield, Tommy Tynan and Joey Wong will head to Tidworth Garrison Theatre in Wiltshire with the aim to become the winner of the prestigious event supported by British Army Music.


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


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


East London Brass

January 16 • CORNET PLAYER - looking ahead to the 2026 contest season, ELB are looking for a cornet player to complete our line up. The band is ambitious and keen to further our successful 2025 season of winning the areas and promotion at spring festival.


Enderby Band

January 16 • Following our 2nd place finish at the LBBA winter contest and recent promotion to the Senior Cup for the 2026 Spring Festival, we are looking for a SOLO CORNET, a BBb BASS and PERCUSSIONISTS to complete our friendly and hardworking team.


Petworth Town Band

January 15 • Petworth Town Band have vacancies for CORNETS, BASS TROMBONE and TUBA. We are a very active band with concerts and engagements planned throughout the year.


Chris Wormald

B.Mus (Hons), LTCL, PGCE
Conductor, adjudicator, arranger


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd