*
banner

Bolsover bands set for live action

There will be plenty of great brass band music making to enjoy at the Bolsover Festival of Brass today — and you can be part of it from the comfort of your own home.

  The broadcast will feature no less than 48 performances from competing bands

The Heritage High School in Clowne opens its doors to the world on Sunday (1st October) as its welcomes the 2017 Bolsover Festival of Brass championships.

48 performances

Hosted by Junction Art, a participatory arts charity delivering magical and memorable art experiences, the Festival will start at 8.30am with the first of 48 live performances.

First Art, a consortium of cultural and voluntary organisations, will broadcast each performance live around the banding globe, with over 12 hours of music making to sit back and enjoy at home or amid the excellent facilities at Heritage High itself.

Six sections

There are six sections of competition in two separate halls, with bands battling it out for a share of the generous prize funds and awards, as well as a direct invitation to the British Open Spring Festival for the leading qualifier.

Such has been the attraction that for the first time the event welcomes its first competitor from Norway with the appearance of Manger Old Stars Band.

The contest has also attracted widespread support from a raft of sponsors such as Elmton with Creswell Parish Council, Clowne Parish Council, Creative Brass and Warwick Music, and with plenty of brass band traders on site, a bar with a widescreen television and excellent catering facilities, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Broadcast live

The whole of the contest day will be broadcast live by First Art, hosted by 4BR Editor Iwan Fox alongside Brass Band World contributor Chris Thomas and lots of guests making an appearance.

One click only

And all you have to do is click your mouse on http://firstart.microvideo-online.com
you can enjoy the action where ever you are no forms to fill, or drop down boxes to tick.

To find out more go to: http://firstart.microvideo-online.com

Tickets on the door £4 concessions (under 16 and over 65) and £6 standard ticket

Each will be broadcast by First Art all around the banding globe — with over 12 hours of music making to sit back and enjoy at home or amid the excellent facilities at the venue itself

All the action will be broadcast by First Art all around the banding globe — with over 12 hours of music making to sit back and enjoy at home or amid the excellent facilities at the venue itself ~ 4BR

Competing bands:

Championship Section:

Adjudicator: Steven Mead
Estimated Start Time: 3.15pm

1. East London Brass
2. Foresters Brass
3. Carlton Brass
4. Blidworth Welfare
5. Fishburn
6. Longridge
7. Haverhill Silver
8. Elland Silver
9. Shepherd Group
10. Yorkshire Imperial DUT
11. Bedworth Brass
12. Unite the Union
13. Hatfield

First Section:

Adjudicator: Thomas Wyss
Estimated Start Time: 9.00am

1. Stannington
2. Shirebrook Miners Welfare
3. Carlton Brass
4. Gresley Colliery
5. Manger Old Stars
6. Unite the Union
7. Enderby
8. Foresters Brass
9. Shirley Band
10. Skelmanthorpe
11. Shepherd Group
12. Wigston Band

Second Section:

Adjudicator: David Thornton
Estimated Start Time: 12.30pm

1. Horbury Victoria
2. Manger Old Stars
3. Stourport on Severn
4. Pleasley Colliery Welfare

Third Section:

Adjudication: Mark Wilkinson
Estimated Start Time: 2.45pm

1. Shirland Welfare
2. Matlock
3. Swinton & District Excelsior
4. Ifton Colliery Brass
5. Audley Brass
6. Stourport on Severn
7. Towcester Studio
8. Stacksteads
9. Market Rasen
10. Long Eaton Silver Prize
11. Rolls Royce (Derby)
12. Rockingham

Fourth Section:

Adjudicator: David Thornton
Estimated Start Time: 10.15am

1. Whitwell Band
2. Deepcar Brass
3. Kirkby Colliery
4. Ratby Co-operative Mid
5. Ilkeston

Un-registered Section:

Adjudicator: David Thornton
Estimated Start Time: 9.00am

1. Shirland Training
2. Carlton Brass Training

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    


Willebroek

World Rankings: September 2026

October 1 • Brass Band Willebroek makes history, claiming top spot in 4barsrest World Rankings after double runner-up finishes at World Championships and British Open.


wOBPLAY

Albert Hall performances to be recorded by World of Brass

September 30 • All the performances from the National Final at the Royal Albert Hall will be audio recorded by World of Brass and made available on wobplay after the results.


Brass in Concert

Brass in Concert announces adjudication panels

September 30 • The judges that will make the decisions at the 49th Brass in Concert Championships have been announced.


4BR podcast

4BR Podcast: Live National Championship Preview

September 30 • Join us on Thursday night for the the 4BR preview of the event and the issues that surround it.


Dobcross Silver Band -

Sunday 27 September • Dobcross Band and Social Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross. Saddleworth Oldham OL3 5AD


The Hepworth Band - Public Rehearsal ahead of the National Finals

Tuesday 29 September • Batley Town Hall WF17 5DA


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Irish Guards

Thursday 1 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Eagle Brass

Thursday 1 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Consort Brass Quintet

Friday 2 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Olney Brass

September 30 • We are a friendly and committed THIRD SECTION band looking for:. . - CORNETS (Front & Back Row). - SOLO HORN. . Engagements and concerts in the Olney/Milton Keynes area.. Rehearsals in Milton Keynes MK15 (5 mins from J14 of M1) on Tuesdays 7.45-9.45pm.


Ashington Colliery Band

September 30 • Tenor Trombone: We're a friendly, ambitious Second Section band based in South East Northumberland just north of Blyth. We rehearse Tuesdays & Thursdays, 19:30-21:30, and transport can be provided depending on location.


Waltham St. Lawrence Silver Band

September 28 • . Our welcoming non-contesting community band, based near Maidenhead, Bracknell and Reading, has openings for: . Percussion, kit and tuned: a lovely pair of timps awaits you!.


Alex McGee

MA BMus PGCE
Conductor & Composer


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd