*
banner

Tuba sight reading with a difference

If you have ever wondered what has happened to your missing sunglasses, then this is a cautionary tale of mishap...

Tuba
  The tuba finally revealed what had been causing its blockage...

There was a surprise find for members of City of Chester Band as they recently went about a spring clean of their instrument stock.

Purchased in 1996 with the aid of National Lottery funding, they have been well cared for, so it came as a shock when Band Manager Matthew McCleary and Treasurer Robert Fletcher took them to be overhauled.

Puzzled

Repairer Jon Roberts found that one instrument puzzled him — after he detected a blockage in an Eb tuba.

Using an endoscope camera Jon spotted something shiny where all should be clear — and found that a pair of sunglasses had travelled over 180Ëš along the tubing from the bell of the instrument.

Thankfully, he managed to extract the spectacles intact, much to the relief and embarrassment of their owner, Robert Fletcher, and to the great amusement of his band colleagues.

Thankfully, he managed to extract the spectacles intact, much to the relief and embarrassment of their owner, Robert Fletcher, and to the great amusement of his band colleagues4BR

No denying

Robert was given no opportunity to deny they were his either, as Matthew went to Rob's Facebook page and found a photo, taken a few years ago of him sporting the said sunglasses!

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    


Paul Hindmarsh

Hindmarsh promotes importance of brass band conduit to classical world

September 25 • Paul Hindmarsh has promoted the importance of the brass band movement as a pipeline of talent in an article in the leading 'Classical World' magazine.


Watkins

Watkins takes further adjudication steps

September 25 • The Hepworth Band MD, Ryan Watkins is to undertake the Association of Brass Band Adjudicators Development Programme.


Valley Brass

Bet on Valley Brass

September 25 • Valley Brass will be featured on prime time ITV television this weekend alongside the one and only Johnny Vegas.


Luke Barker

Shirley and Luke shine for packed Proms

September 25 • The Shirley Band was joined by Flowers Band cornet star Luke Barker for a sold-out 'Last Night of the Proms'.


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards Big Band

Friday 26 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Brass Bands England - The Brass Band Conference

Saturday 27 September • Redhills Durham Miners Hall, Durham DH1 4BE


Cheltenham Silver Band - Music from the Bandstand, Montpellier Gardens

Sunday 28 September • Montpellier Gardens, Cheltenham GL50 1UW


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Irish Guards

Thursday 2 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Funny Bones Trombone Quartet

Friday 3 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Hathersage Band

September 24 • BASS TROMBONE. Hathersage Brass Band is a thriving, non-contesting community band. We enjoy our music making, play a wide variety of music and have a good gig schedule. Are you the right person to join our happy band?


Ascot Brass

September 23 • Ascot Brass is seeking a Solo horn, tenor trombone, and BBb bass (good quality bass available to borrow if needed) players. We're a friendly, passionate, non-contesting band that performs regular concerts behalf of major charities.


British Airways Brass Band

September 22 • Flugel, tenor horn and trombone. Having just secured a new musical director we are excited to rebuild and develop the band. All instruments welcome. We rehearse on Wednesday evening 20:00 - 22:00 at Heston British Legion, 79 New Heston Road, TW5 0LG


John Durrant

MA LLCM TD CertEd (Dist)
Conductor, Band Trainer, Composer, Trumpet and Cornet Soloist, Arranger, Adjudicator


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd