*
banner

Brass Band World: December edition now out

The December edition of the world's premier brass banding magazine is out now — full of unmissable articles, features, reviews and interviews.

Brass Band World
  The December edition of Brass Band World is out now

The December edition of the Brass Band World magazine is now out, and it's packed with fantastic features, articles, reviews and interviews from around the globe…

GRAND SLAM FOR EIKANGER:


Norway's Vikings completed a 2017 grand slam of four major titles at Brass in Concert, which invited the audience to award the first Audience Entertainment Trophy at its 41st edition.

VOICE FROM THE PAST: REACHING FOR THE STARS:


A candid and previously unpublished interview with the late
Maurice Murphy at the Barbican Centre, in February 2002, with Lisa Fitzgerald-Lombard gained a fabulous insight into the life and times of the legendary trumpet player, who passed away in 2010.

PRO PRACTICE — PEAK FOR PERFORMANCE:


Could sport science, epitomised by top athletes Mo Farah and Usain Bolt, be applied to brass contest performance?

As we head towards a new contesting year, BBW's Pro Practice host, Professor Roger Webster, applies world-class sport training techniques to achieving peak performance at brass band contests.

THE BBW INTERVIEW:


Vital legacy of labour and love: RNCM Brass Band Festival Artistic Director, Paul Hindmarsh, has created an important repertoire legacy and is responsible for the only major serious performance platform for the brass band genre, as well as influences music selection
at the European Championships, for which he is Chair of the Music Commission.

Christopher Thomas meets the former BBC Radio 3 Producer — who just wants to 'keep the music going'.

LET'S DEBATE: HOLISTIC APPROACH TO ARTISTIC FREEDOM AT BRASS IN CONCERT


Conductor, player and composer/arranger, Sandy Smith, debates the adjudication method and marking system for one of the UK's entertainment contests — Brass in Concert, compares it with Norway's SIDDIS version and argues for a more holistic approach at the former.

2018 BRINGS SEISMIC SHIFT:


As ever in the worldwide brass band community, the last 12 months have brought highs and lows — highs for Eikanger and Valaisia bands, which have taken two of the UK's most prized titles back to Norway and Switzerland, but some harsh lessons for UK banding with this developing seismic shift from the traditional powerbase of the genre.

BBW's Editor, David Childs, surveys an intriguing 12 months.

EUROPE'S HEAVYWEIGHTS HEAD FOR UTRECHT:


Thomas Dunne brings coverage of the first three National contests taking place across Europe, plus Norway's SIDDIS entertainment contest, where the older order was pretty much evident in Denmark and Norway, but toppled in Holland and Austria.

THE HEROES OF THE 369TH HARLEM HELLFIGHTERS:


American composer, Sandy Coffin, helped to organise and played in a concert at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art in July, which reinvented the Harlem Hellfighters Band of
1917 — 1919.

Here, Sandy charts the fascinating band of musicians celebrated for their innovative performing style and heroism during World War I — a legacy that she brought to life in three new pieces performed by Tullis Russell Band at St. Andrews University's Fringe of Gold Festival.

BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY IN 2018:


Christmas is the time to consider your holiday destination in 2018, so BBW has compiled a guide to the top summer schools that combine sun (hopefully), fun and first class tuition, plus festivals that showcase fantastic brass performances.

BBW brings details of the 15th Future All Stars Festival in New York, the European Brass Band Championships and Festival, the North American Brass Band Summer School, Brass Week Samedan, Lieksa Brass Week and the 28th International Brass Band Summer School.

BBW CENTRE BAND: WANTAGE'S CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE


The backwaters of Oxfordshire would not necessarily be where one might expect to find an oasis of brass music making, but with six bands and a new MD in Paul Holland, Wantage Silver Band has the firepower to succeed.

WHITBURN HURTLES TO FOURTH SCOTTISH OPEN:


Mark Good brings coverage of the 2017 Scottish Open, at which Whitburn finished the year in dominant fashion, as well as brings coverage of the Band Supplies Scottish Challenge and Youth Championships.

BBW CASTAWAY:


The principal cornet of 2017 Grand Slam Band, Eikanger — David Morton — selects his desert island listening, book and luxury item.

CD REVIEWS:


Principal trombone of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Simon Cowen, reviews the news Foden's Christmas recording featuring vocalist, Matthew Ford and David Childs enjoys a Q&A the singer.

Christopher Thomas listens to The Nationals 2017 highlights disc and leading trombone soloist, conductor and educator, Brett Baker, settles back to enjoy the latest and highly recommended seasonal release from Manger Musikklag Band entitled December.

MUSIC REVIEWS:


Thomas Dunne reviews the latest batch of concert music published by Music Company, mf-muskverlag frank, and Wright and Round.

Norway's Vikings completed a 2017 grand slam of four major titles at Brass in Concert, which invited the audience to award the first Audience Entertainment Trophy at its 41st editionBBW

CONCERT REVIEWS:


The World of Brass in Concert featuring Cory Band and Men Aloud at the Sage Gateshead; the USA's razzmatazz outfit — Fountain City — entertains in Perth, Scotland and the Fringe of Gold Festival at St. Andrews University featuring Tullis Russell Mills and Kingdom bands with The Wallace Collection.

FESTIVE GIFT GUIDE:


With just over two weeks of frenzied shopping time before Christmas day, BBW has compiled a handy gift guide and the best thing about it... you don't have to venture out into the cold to purchase the items — they're all available at the click of a mouse. Happy shopping!

RANKINGS:


Cory finishes on top for the sixth consecutive year Gordon Simpson reveals which bands finished 2017, but which band is the highest riser at the end of 2017? Gordon Simpson reveals all in the original brass band Rankings.

DIARY DATES:


Events around the World in December and January.

… AND ANOTHER THING:


John Barber and resident cartoonist, Nezzy, reveal their Christmas wishlist.

NEWS:


All the latest news including: Brass Bands England launches volunteer recruitment drive; Smith-Watkins fanfares opening of New Zealand Parliament; New York Staff Band to tour Japan; Brass in Concert branches out with Grimethorpe and ABBA's Regional Test-piece Workshop details.

SUBSCRIBE:


Subscribe today via www.brassbandworld.co.uk

ACCESS RIGHT NOW BY SUBSCRIBING TO BBW DIGITAL THE WORLD'S FAVOURITE MONTHLY BRASS MAGAZINE ON SMART PHONES, TABLETS AND DESKTOPS ONLY £30 WHEREVER YOU ARE IN THE WORLD! OR SUBSCRIBE TO THE PRINTED MAGAZINE DELIVERED BY POST: £40 (UK); £68

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    


Gregson and Bliss

Gregson and Bliss to challenge National Finalists

March 30 • Significant composer anniversaries will be marked at London and Cheltenham this year.


Youth Brass 2000

Report & Results: 2025 National Youth Championships of Great Britain

March 30 • Youth Brass 2000 reclaims the Championship honours with Shepherd Youth Group taking the Performance title in Hull.


National Youth Champs

Hull ready for National Youth Championships

March 28 • There is a packed day of music making to enjoy at Hymers College in Hull on Saturday with a record field of bands and players taking to the stage.


Breet and Keith

Baker and Wilkinson renew Atlantic connection

March 28 • A 30 year musical friendship has been reconnected between Brett Baker and Dr Keith Wilkinson.


Hathersage Band - Hathersage Village Spring Concert

Saturday 5 April • Hathersage Methodist Church, Main Road, Hathersage S32 1BB


Bilton Silver Rugby Band - Bilton Silver at the Musicals

Saturday 5 April • St Andrew's Church, Rugby CV21 3PT


Rushden Town Band - Hope Spring Concert

Saturday 5 April • Hope Methodist Church, Linnets Lane, Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire NN10 8DE


Regent Hall Concerts - The Central Band of the Royal Air Force

Friday 25 April • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London. . W1C2DJ


Newstead Brass - Under Gaia

Saturday 26 April • Mansfield Palace Theatre. Leeming Street . Mansfield. Nottinghamshire NG18 1NG


Simon Langton Brass

April 1 • Due to forced retirement - Simon Langton Brass (Conductor Keith Demetriou Twyman) has a vacancy for an experienced back row cornet player. Position is negotiable as is a willingness to share your experience with our next generation of cornet players!


Ibstock Brick Brass

April 1 • Midlands Area Champions IBB have an opening for a full-time Tuba player (position negotiable) . . Ambitious and enjoying a varied concert/contest program, IBB are looking forward to the third section finals 2025. Rehearsals Mon/Thu in Coalville, M1 J22


Ibstock Brick Brass

April 1 • Midlands Area Champions IBB have an opening for an experienced percussionist. . . Ambitious and enjoying a varied concert/contest program, we are looking forward to the third section finals 2025. Rehearsals Mon/Thu in Coalville, close to M1 J22


Dave Collins

BA (Hons) (Dunelm) I, FSCO
Composer and Arranger


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd