*
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    


British Open

4BR British Open podcast

September 6 • Join 4BR to air your views and opinions on Wednesday evening ahead of this year's British Open Championship at Symphony Hall.


Marple

British Open Countdown: T minus 6

September 6 • 30 years ago there was a British Open victory that shock the banding world.


numbers

Academics look to banding to provide expert analysis

September 6 • The rather dry academic world of Research Excellence Framework analysis has looked at brass band contesting for potential insight...


Dizzy

Dizzy Brasscals set for night club launch in Manchester

September 6 • The award winning events ensemble is headlining a new night club venture close to its spiritual musical home — with plenty of bangers for people to sing-along to.


The Hepworth Band - Public Rehearsal ahead of the 2026 British Open

Tuesday 8 September • Ossett Town Hall, Market Place, Ossett WF5 8BE


Sherborne Town Band - Free-Music in the park

Sunday 13 September • Sherborne, Dorset-Pageant Gardens DT9 3NP


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards

Thursday 17 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Duchess of Edinburgh String Orchestra

Friday 18 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Irish Guards

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


Barnsley Brass

September 6 • We are looking to recruit a Flugel Horn and Back Row Cornet players. We are based in Worsbrough Bridge by the A61 south of Barnsley. S70 5LJ. Rehearsals are Mondays / Thursdays at 8pm in our purpose-built band room..


Enderby Band

September 5 • Championship section band seeking CORNETS (positions negotiable), Eb BASS, and PERCUSSIONISTS to join our committed, hard-working and friendly team, performing a balanced diary of concerts and contests.


Harrogate Band

September 4 • The Harrogate Band are looking for a 1st Baritone and Soprano player to complete our team. Forward thinking and exciting band with a wide range of engagements and contests. Rehearsals are Wednesday 8pm in our own bandroom with great transport links.


James McLeod

BMus (hons)
Euphonium Soloist, Teacher and Conductor


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd