*
banner

Report & Results: 2018 City of Coventry & Warwickshire Brass Festival

There was plenty of great playing to enjoy at Bablake School — led by a real rising star

oDDY
  Rising star Christopher Oddy picked up five prizes on the day...

There was plenty of great solo and duet playing on show at Bablake School in Coventry on the weekend — enjoyed by an appreciative audience as well as the adjudicators Stephen Cooper from City of Coventry Brass, and Adrian Taylor from Birmingham Music Service.

Rising star

Rising star Christopher Oddy of Enderby Youth Band (above) claimed no less than five trophies, including the prestigious 'Festival Champion Shield' and 'Debbie Borthwick Memorial Shield', whilst there was some fantastic playing to be heard from the likes of Tallulah Matthews who won the 10 years and under Slow Melody title all the way up to the experienced Kevin Whitaker of Jaguar Land Rover Band taking the 'Open Slow Melody' accolade.

Mark and Lesley Howarth have hosted the event for the past nine years, and although they have announced that they will be moving to North Yorkshire this summer, it is hoped that the event will continue to flourish.

Rising star Christopher Oddy of Enderby Youth Band (above) claimed no less than five trophies, including the prestigious 'Festival Champion Shield' and 'Debbie Borthwick Memorial Shield'4BR

Results:

10 years and under: Slow Melody


1. Tallulah Matthews (Shipston)
2. Timothy Smith (Banners Gate Primary)
3. Emily Strens (Warwick Prep)

11 to 14: Slow Melody


1. Christopher Oddy (Enderby Youth)
2. Polly Rumble (Daventry Brass)
3. Alec Banner (Shipston)

Best Instrumentalist 14 and under: Christopher Oddy (Enderby Youth)

15 to 18: Slow Melody


1. Luke Barker (Shipston)
2. Grace Coates (Shipston)
3. Jessica Anderson (Shipston)

Open Slow Melody


1. Kevin Whittaker (Jaguar Land Rover)
2. Andrew Bates (Jaguar Land Rover)
3. Patricia Woodings (Newhall)

Duets: 14 and under


1. Alec Banner/Tallulah Matthews (Shipston)
2. Ash Pater/Lilia Clifford (Clinton Primary)
3. Peter Coates/Rufus Gallagher-Shipston

Duets: 15 and over


1. Luke Barker/Grace Coates-Shipston

Quartets: 18 and under


1. Shipston Cornets
2. Warwick Prep

Quartets: Open


1. The Band Factory

Air Varie: 18 and under


1. Christopher Oddy (Enderby Youth)
2. Polly Rumble (Daventry Brass)
3. Luke Barker (Shipston)

Air Varie: Open


1. Christopher Oddy (Enderby Youth)
2. Patricia Woodings (Newhall)
3. Polly Rumble (Daventry Brass)

Percussion:


1. Alec Banner-Shipston

Festival Champion:


Christopher Oddy-Enderby Youth

Youngest Girl: Emma Woodhouse (Warwick Corps of Drums)
Youngest Boy: Rufus Gallagher (Shipston)

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.


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


Regent Hall Concerts - BoneVoyage Trombone Quartet

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


Regent Hall Concerts - Foden's Band

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!.


Andy Wareham

BMus (Hons), MMus (Hons)
Conductor, Composer, Brass Tutor, Musicologist


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd