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Radio: All Brass Radio

Dr Jim Fox brings plenty of fantastic brass band music to our ears from across the pond...

Brass
  Dr Jim Fox keeps the brass band charts updated from across the Atlantic Ocean

September saw a significant change made to All Brass Band's playlist, as around 125 tracks were removed and 50 new ones added, making to make it more focussed and responsive to listener's choices.

Top spot

In the top spot came an arrangement from the musical 'Aspects of Love' by Andrew Lloyd Webber. 'Love Changes Everything' was recorded several years back by Desford Colliery Caterpillar Band and has remained a favourite with listeners every since — none more than now!

The timeless lyrical talent of Kirsty Abbotts is so well known throughout the brass band world, so little wonder her performance of 'You Raise Me Up' continues to be a favourite. Published in 2002 it was a minor hit until Josh Groban made into a big one in the United States in 2003. The Irish band Westlife then popularized the song in the UK two years later.

The final podium spot goes to 'Fire in the Blood', commissioned from Paul Lovatt-Cooper by Dr. Stephen Cobb for the 120th anniversary of the International Staff Band. It had a rousing premiere performance and is a frequent occupying of the top spots in the charts.

New entries

New to the 'Top 20' this month is 'Barnacle Bill' recorded by Pikes Peak Brass Band and 'Procession of the Nobles' by Atlantic Brass Band. In addition, music from the 1950s Broadway musical 'The Music Man' finish make a welcome appearance, with 'Seventy Six Trombones' by GUS Band and 'The Music Man' by Tredegar Town Band.

The 'Top 20' remains an eclectic collection of recordings by various bands and really does reflect how the playlist continues to respond to choices and the tastes of listeners.

Help

All Brass Radio is a commercial-free subscription-free internet radio station started by Dr. Jim Fox over 16 years ago.

Your band can donate a CD and we will give you both publicity and airtime. Of course the CD must meet a minimum quality standard. If your band is good enough to record a CD it's good enough to get play on the station, so why not send one to us?

We would like to keep the station commercial-free and subscription-free. To do that we rely on donors. You can tune into the station and/or give a donation at www.allbrassradio.com

Top 20:

1. Love Changes Everything (Desford Colliery Caterpillar Band)
2. You Raise Me Up (Carlton Main Frickley Colliery)
Soloist: Kirsty Abbotts
3. Fire in the Blood (International Staff Band)
4. Buglers Dream and Olympic Fanfare (Froschl Hall)
5. Chariots of Fire (Brass Band de Waldsang)
6. Country Roads (Las Vegas)
7. Life Ablaze (International Staff Band)
8. Bolero (Brighouse & Rastrick)
9. Bohemian Rhapsody (Pikes Peak)
10. Mars, The Bringer of War (Black Dyke Mills)

11. Dundonnell (Brighouse & Rastrick)
12. Down By The Sally Gardens (Carlton Main Frickley Colliery)
Soloist: Kirsty Abbotts
13. Barnacle Bill (Pikes Peak)
14. Procession of Nobles (Atlantic)
15. Seventy Six Trombones (GUS Band)
16. 'Tis a Gift (Central Florida)
17. Overture to The Barber of Seville (Brass Band Berner Oberland)
18. The Music Man (Tredegar Town)
19. Braveheart (Willebroek)
20. Highland Cathedral (Black Dyke)

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Winter Gardens, Blackpool

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4BR Area coverage

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Regent Hall Concerts - Royal College of Music Sackbut Ensemble

Friday 21 February • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Welsh Guards

Friday 21 February • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Newstead Brass - Midlands Championships Preview Evening

Sunday 23 February • Summit Centre . Kirkby in Ashfield . Nottinghamshire NG17 7LL


Contest: North West Regional Championships

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Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 28 February • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Reading Spring Gardens Brass Band

February 20 • Reading Band still needs LOWER BRASS for the 4th section contest at Stevenage on Saturday 15th March! Rehearsals in Woodley (RG5) on Thursday evenings.


Boarshurst Silver Band

February 17 • Boarshurst Silver Band, NW Championship Section, requires a BBb player, flugel, and front row cornet player. Under MD Jamie Prophet, the band have an ambitious and varied calendar for 2025, including NW Area, Spring Festival and Whit Friday.


Mid Rhondda Band

February 14 • Mid Rhondda Band are looking for the following players : Front Row Cornet, Solo Trombone, Eb Bass, Kit and Tuned Percussionists. The band will be competing in the 3rd Section at the Welsh Area. Contest & concert engagements in the diary for 2025


Michael Bennett

BSc, RNCM (Perf)
Performer, Composer, Arranger, Teacher


               

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