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2018 4BR Newcomer of the Year

It was a close battle between the newcomers this year before the result was settled...

tHOMAS nIELSON
  Young cornet star Thomas Nielsen takes the Newcomer of the Year award

Winner: Thomas Nielsen

2. Brass Bands England Artistic Development Programme
3. Felix Geroldinger

The supremely talented and engagingly modest young cornet player Thomas Nielsen is the deserved winner of the Newcomer of the Year accolade.

2018 saw him claim the BBC Radio 2 Young Brass Award with a thrilling performance at the RNCM in Manchester, as well as take his place on the front row at the International Staff Band of the Salvation Army.

He further enhanced his growing reputation as principal cornet of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain as well as a performer of steely nerve when featured alongside Black Dyke at the British Open Gala Concert and in giving a brace of guest solo spots at the Cheltenham National Finals.

Some player — so catch him now before he surely finds his way into the professional orchestral ranks.

In what was a very close battle for the award, he gained 3 first choices preferences from the panel and four podium votes.

Excellent work

The excellent work of Brass Bands England revitalising grass roots artistic development by sending Philip Harper out around the country on popular workshop days saw them gain 2 first preference choice votes (BBE CEO Kenny Crookston abstained from the vote) and 2 podium votes.

Splendid fashion

A fine third place with 2 first choice preferences went to the remarkable young Austrian baritone player Felix Geroldinger who won the European Solo Competition title in Utrecht in splendid fashion in May.

Some player — so catch him now before he surely finds his way into the professional orchestral ranks4BR

Past Winners:


2017: Ingar Bergby
2016: Thierry Deleruyelle
2015: Dark Arteries — Rambert Ballet and Tredegar Band
2014: The Band of the King's Division
2013: Korpsfiksert! — Eikanger Bjorsvik television series
2012: Brass in Concert
2011: Venezuelan Brass Ensemble
2010: Exit Brass
2009: Lucy Pankhurst
2008: Paul Duffy
2007: Proms Brass Day
2006: English National Championships
2005: Brass Band Aid
2004: The National Children's Band of Great Britain
2003: Emma Farrow
2002: Simon Dobson

Panel:

The Awards Panel consisted of : Iwan Fox (Editor 4BR); Malcolm Wood (Chief Contributor); Steven Mead (euphonium soloist); Gordon Simpson (statistician Brass Band World magazine); Chris Thomas (Chief Contributor Brass Band World magazine); Kenny Crookston (CEO, Brass Bands England); Frode Rydland (EBBA Music Commission/soprano cornet Bjorsvik Brass); Alexander Zwann (Chief contributor CU Brass); Tom Davoren (conductor/composer); Tim Mutum (writer/brass band recording and history specialist).

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Syndey

Report & Results: 2025 Yamaha Australian National Band Championships

April 20 • Sydney City becomes the inaugural Premier Championships of Australia as senior National titles head to Footscray-Yarraville City, Cairns Brass No. 1, Wonthaggi Citizensand City of Ballarat Municipal Brass.


Wobplay

Wobplay offers global opportunities at Euros

April 19 • There will be plenty of advertising opportunities for businesses as part of the comprehensive weekend of live-broadcast action from the European Championships in Stavanger.


Russell Gray

Gray to host double conducting seminars

April 19 • Aspiring conductors can enjoy the opportunity to work alongside Russell Gray in Scotland and Norway next month as he hosts his Conducting Seminars in Bathgate and Askoy.


Siusa

Jena pride at Sousa inclusion

April 19 • Jose Sousa will become the fifth young player from the Jena Brass Band Centre in Germany to represent the nation as part of the European Youth Brass Band.


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


Newstead Brass - St George's Day Celebration

Sunday 27 April • St Wilfrid's Church, Church Street, Kirkby In Ashfield NG17 8LA


Contest: European Brass Band Championshiips

Friday 9 May • Konzerthaus, SandvigÃ¥ 1, 4007 Stavanger, Norway


Contest: European Brass Band Championshiips

Saturday 10 May • Konzerthaus, SandvigÃ¥ 1, 4007 Stavanger, Norway


Linthwaite Band

April 21 • Linthwaite Band is a 4th section contesting Band , with a busy Summer of engagements coming up, and are looking to complete our friendly team, with a back row 2nd cornet player, and are keen to fill the position as soon as possible.


Chinnor Silver

April 21 • Required Percussion and Bass players (Eb or Bb). We are a friendly and ambitious band and have successfully qualified for the second section national finals and also earned promotion to the 1st section in 2026. Come along and help complete our happy team


wantage silver band

April 21 • A friendly and ambitious first section band, Wantage Concert Brass are looking for an experienced and dedicated MUSICAL DIRECTOR to help drive the band's continued growth and development, building on their best result to date at the recent area contest.


Sandy Smith


Conductor, teacher, adjudicator and arranger


               

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