The latest 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…
LET'S DEBATE: LEADING ENGLAND TO GLOBAL GREATNESS
Brass Bands England has appointed Kenneth Crookston as its new CEO. Nicola Bland charts his career to date and probes him about his vision for making England a global leader in banding again by building the 'highest and widest pyramid in the banding world.'
THE BBW INTERVIEW: PRESERVING CODE
Australian-born Adams Artist, Dr. Matthew van Emmerik, has just completed a major 'Preserving Code' project — Thomas Dunne caught up with the globetrotting euphoniumist to find out about find out about it.
BREAKING BOUNDARIES IN BERGEN
Leading brass band conductor and member of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra trumpet section, Allan Withington, is currently composing, authoring and producing a cross-genre brass band and dance project inspired by Coco Chanel for Bergen International Festival audiences.
Here, he leads us through his groundbreaking creative journey to present a brass band at the Festival for the first time.
'LET'S KICK SOME BRASS' IN UTRECHT
The Netherlands is gearing up to host the 41st edition of the European Championships from 28 April — 6 May, when 17 top-flight bands compete across the Championship and Challenge sections, as well as youth and solo contenders in what promises to be a riveting edition of the festival. Nicola Bland looks at what's on offer.
IF YOU'RE NOT OUTRAGED — WHY NOT?
English composer, Paul McGhee, prepared Marco Putz's, 'Time for Outrage', for 
the forthcoming Elite Section European Championships in Utrecht next month. Here, he introduces the score along with Hendrik De Boer's 'Mystic Echoes', set as the test 
for the Challenge Section and David Childs introduces the own-choice top section tests.
2018 'EUROPEAN' OWN-CHOICE SELECTIONS
Over the years, this element of the Championships has not only produced some phenomenal performances, but also many fantastic new works designed to elicit a magnitude of emotions through vast musical contrast. With the help of Gordon Simpson of BrassStats, David Childs surveys this year's own-choice selections.
BBW CASTAWAY WITH KATRINA MARZELLA
Although busy overseeing the build-up to the 2018 Utrecht 'European', European Brass Band Association President, Ulf Rosenberg, took some time to be cast from snowy Europe to his fantasy desert island, sharing with us his eclectic selections along the way.
BRITISH PRESS FANFARES SMITH-WATKINS
A renovated cowshed in the middle of North Yorkshire, deep in the Howardian Hills, was the unlikely venue for a frenzy of national media interest in the bespoke instrument Company, Smith-Watkins. Nicola Bland discovered what all the excitement was about!
THE EMBODIMENT OF TRUE CLASS
One of the greatest cornet players to ever grace the brass band stage sadly died on 1 March at the age of 52. Lisa Fitzgerald-Lombard played in Cory Band's cornet section with Ian Williams for more than a decade and pays tribute to the modest man of legendary status, along with other leading names in the business.
BANDING ODYSSEY
The last coach has rolled out of town and the 2018 Regional Championships in the UK have drawn to a close. Mark Good reports on a frantic few weeks of banding action, with help from the BBW team of David Childs, Christopher Thomas, Malcolm Wood and Steve Jack.
RISING STARS
Mark Good finds out about the remarkable journey of David Karran — City of Bradford's hot seat cornet.
PRO PRACTICE
This month, BBW's resident Pro Practice host, Professor Roger Webster, advises how to take your best contest performance with you onto the stage.
THE LEGENDARY CHANDOS SOUND
Chandos has just released a new CD, Latin Winds, featuring the RNCM Wind Orchestra, conducted by Clark Rundell and Mark Heron. Captain Sam Hairsine interviews the two about the project, which draws on brass players and the legendary Chandos sound.
CENTENARY FLYPAST FOR ROYAL AIR FORCE
The Royal Air Force marks its centenary this year — Nicola Bland charts the development of the RAF Music Services, which will be front and centre stage of the 100th celebrations.
NEWS
Handel in the Band for Royal Albert Hall Final test and A Brussels Requiem set for British Open challenge; 2018 Iles and Mortimer medallists revealed; Cathedral series launched by Kapitol Promotions at Gloucester Cathedral; Cinematic Scope at Black Dyke Festival in June; and death of New Zealand's legendary euphoniumist, Riki McDonnell.
Allan Withington, is currently composing, authoring and producing a cross-genre brass band and dance project inspired by Coco Chanel for Bergen International Festival audienceBBW
REVIEWS
CDS — Dr. Matthew van Emmerik preserves Percy Code, Toccata Classics records the orchestral music of Dr. Rodney Newton and Enfield Citadel Band scales 'high peaks', pus a Q&A about the Enfield recording with John Ward.
MUSIC
Fresh repertoire for euphonium players from Oriana Publications
CONCERT REVIEWS
Stars align for Africa and Boobs and Brass performs swansong with Brighouse and Rastrick
PRODUCTS
Feel the joy of a one-piece wind instrument with lefreQue innovation; Denis Wick marks 50 golden years with special edition anniversary mutes; and Conn-Selmer celebrates Vincent Bach's 100th with centennial special edition trumpet and trombone
RANKINGS
Black Dyke hits top-four again!
DIARY DATES
What's on around the World in April and May
… AND ANOTHER THING
The British Empire strikes back with resident wit, John Barber, and cartoonist, Nezzy
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