*
banner

Bands prepare for Band of the Year contest

The first BrassPass.tv Band of the Year contest will take place in Manchester on Saturday.

Stoller Hall
  The Stoller Hall in Manchester will host the inaugural contest

Nine of the UKs top bands are putting the final preparations to their 30 minute programmes for the inaugural BrassPass.tv 'Band of the Year' contest which takes place at Manchester's Stoller Hall on Saturday.

There is a first prize of £5,000 plus a magnificent new trophy to be picked up by the winner, with podium prizes of £3,500 and £1,500. The open adjudication is in the hands of the international panel of Tom Brevik, Reid Gilje and Jan De Haan.

The bands have also announced the programmes that they will be performing.

The event is being live-streamed by BrassPass.tv and a trailer can be found at: https://we.tl/t-RrP6yhRXJM

4BR will be giving live commentary coverage of the contest.

Line-up:

BrassPass.tv Band of the Year:
Stoller Hall, Manchester

Adjudicators: Tom Brevik, Reid Gilje, Jan De Haan

1. Foden's (Michael Fowles)


Masque (Kenneth Hesketh)
Vallfickens Dance (Hugo Alven, arr. Frode Rydland)
Soloist: Gary Curtin
Fraternity (Thierry Deleruyelle)

2. Flowers (Mareika Gray)


Jacobs Ladder (Jonathan Bates)
Threnody (Ben Hollings)
Soloist: Tom Fountain
Ascension (Philip Wilby)

3. Fairey (Garry Cutt)


Le Corsair (Hector Berlioz arr. Geoffrey Brand)
Follow the Flame (Peter Graham)
Soloist: Lucy Cutt
Resurgam (Eric Ball)
Final two Portraits from Gallery (Howard Snell)

4. Carlton Main Frickley (Russell Gray)


Into the Stars (Ben Holling)
Song from 'Milestone' (Peter Meechan)
Soloist: Kirsty Abbotts
Fraternity (Thierry Deleruyelle)

5. Brighouse & Rastrick (David Thornton)


Knight Templar (George Allen)
Blue Rider (Kit Turnbull)
Second movement — Several Circles (1926)
Third movement — Composition VIII (1923)
Soloist: Chris Robertson
Lowry Sketchbook (Philip Wilby)

6. Hammonds (Morgan Griffiths)


A Short Ride in A Brass Machine (Andrew Baker)
Fantasie Brillante (J.B Arban, arr. Kevin Edwards)
Soloist: Ashley Higgins
The Triumph of Time (Peter Graham)

7. Black Dyke (Prof Nicholas Childs)


A Brighter Light (Philip Wilby)
Concerto for Baritone (Peter Graham)
Soloist: Katrina Marzella
Second movement — Tide
Third Movement — Torque
Heroes (Bruce Broughton)

8. Cory (Philip Harper)


The Spaceman (T.J. Powell)
Cornet Concerto (Derek Bourgeois)
First movement
Soloist: Tom Hutchinson
Explorers On The Moon (Paul Raphael)

9. Tredegar (Ian Porthouse)


Phenomena Fanfare — On Themes by Gustav Mahler (Jacob Vilhelm Larsen)
Toccata: Oh The Blessed Lord (Wilfred Heaton)
Eyes of a Child (Kateryna and Svante Henryson arr. Jacob Vilhelm Larsen)
Soloist: Danny Winder
As If a voice were in them... (Oliver Waespi)

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.


Dobcross Silver Band -

Sunday 27 September • Dobcross Band and Social Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross. Saddleworth Oldham OL3 5AD


The Hepworth Band - Public Rehearsal ahead of the National Finals

Tuesday 29 September • Batley Town Hall WF17 5DA


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


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!.


Stuart Black

BA (Hons) Music
Conductor, Teacher, Flugel soloist


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd