*
banner

A4 Quartet seek one small step...?

If you are a composer inspired by Leonardo da Vinci, Queen Victoria, Mahatma Gandi or the even the moon landings then you need to get writing for the A4 Brass Quartet...

mOON
  From the moon landings to Leonardo da Vinci — landmark inspiration id what the A4 Quartet is looking for...

Entries have already started to come in for the second annual A4 Brass Quartet Composition Competition.

The multi-award winning ensemble recently accepted the role of Honorary Artists in Association at the Royal Northern College of Music, where the group was founded.

Landmark inspiration

This year the group is looking for a concert work inspired by one of the following landmark events which will be taking place in 2019:

500 years since death of Leonardo da Vinci
200 years since birth of Queen Victoria
150 years since birth of Mahatma Gandhi
50th anniversary of the moon landing

Rules:

The brief for the compositions is very free, but the following must apply to each entry:

Compositions must be of 4-8 minutes in duration

Works must never have been performed before

Instrumentation of: Bb Cornet (doubling Flugel), Tenor Horn in Eb, Baritone Horn in Bb (treble clef) and Euphonium in Bb (treble clef)

Mutes are available if required for all instruments

Anonymous scores are NOT required

Please consider presentation, practicality and suitability for concert performance for the entry!

The multi-award winning ensemble recently accepted the role of Honorary Artists in Association at the Royal Northern College of Music, where the group was founded4BR

Prizes:

Once again the group offers a generous prize fund, and also aim to encourage a new generation of student composers with a special Under 24 award (if both 1st and 2nd prize fall into this category, the next highest U24 entry will receive this award).

1st Prize: £400, a professional recording and regular performances on the quartet's concert series in 2019/2020.

2nd Prize: £150, a professional recording and regular performances on the quartet's concert series in 2019/2020.

Under 24 Prize: £100 and a professional recording of the work.

How to enter:

Scores can be submitted as either a Sibelius 7 (or earlier) file OR as PDF files accompanied by an mp3/m4a file, and need to be emailed to a4brassquartet@hotmail.co.uk with 'A4 COMPOSITION' in the subject line.

The closing date for entries is Friday 8th March 2019, with award winners being announced and notified in early April.

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    


whit friday

Report & Results: 2025 Christmas Whit Friday

December 13 • Diggle and Dobcross Youth get an early Christmas prezzie contest bonus on a night of festive fun in Delph.


National Youth Championships

Judges announced for 2026 National Youth Championships

December 11 • Anna Wilby, Christopher Bond, Stephanie Kennedy, Lauren Chinn, Daniel Brooks and Ailsa Russell (above) will be making the decisions at the National Youth Championships next March.


Brass Matters

Podcast: Brass Matters — The Centre of Things Part 1

December 11 • Join John Wallace and friends as they discuss his latest musical project.


rules

Regional Championship borrowing rules confirmed

December 11 • Bands in Sections 1-4 will be able to borrow players to boost their chances of National Championship qualification.


Garforth Brass - Strawberry Fields Primary School

Friday 5 December • Garforth Methodist Church,. Church Lane,. Garforth,. Leeds LS25 1NW


The Hepworth Band - Christmas Brass & Voices

Saturday 6 December • Thornhill Parish Church, Dewsbury WF12 0JZ


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band Christmas Event

Saturday 6 December • Petworth Town Centre GU28 OAD


Haverhill Silver Band - Family Christmas Concert

Sunday 7 December • Castle Manor Academy, Haverhill CB9 9JE


Petworth Town Band - PetworthTown Band Christmas Concert

Saturday 13 December • St Mary’s Church Petworth GU28 OAD


Cambrian Brass

December 15 • We are a hard-working, positive and welcoming brass band, proudly inclusive and open to players of all experience levels. As we prepare for the forthcoming Regional Championships, we currently have a vacancy for a Solo Cornet player.


Cambrian Brass

December 15 • We are a hard-working, positive and welcoming brass band, proudly inclusive and open to players of all experience levels. As we prepare for the forthcoming Regional Championships, we currently have a vacancy for a Flugelhorn player.


Cambrian Brass

December 15 • We are a hard-working, positive and welcoming brass band, proudly inclusive and open to players of all experience levels. As we prepare for the forthcoming Regional Championships, we currently have a vacancy for a Soprano Cornet player.


Nigel Seaman

ARMCM ARNCM
Conductor, band trainer, teacher and adjudicator


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd