*
banner

Rankings update: 2019 round-up

Time to reflect on who were the biggest winners and losers over the past 12 months in a year where once again Cory dominated the contest stage.

Cory Band
  Cory's 2019 contest stage domination keeps the Welsh band top of the rankings table for the 13th year in succession.

As expected for some considerable time, Cory Band finishes top of the Band Supplies — 4barsrest World Rankings at the top of the table for the 13th year in succession.

In fact, although not impossible to overcome, Cory's lead is more than likely strong enough to ensure that the Welsh giant will still be there this time next year.

Black Dyke and Brighouse and Rastrick, among others, will no doubt be going all out in 2020 to put as big a dent as possible in Cory's historic domination of brass band contesting, but don't bet too much against more of next year's major trophies heading back over the Severn Bridge.

At this time of year it is customary for us to look back at those who have done well over the past 12 months, as well as those who might be spending a bit more time in the rehearsal room over the winter in a bid to put this year's relatively disappointing contest form behind them.

2019 was a good year for...

2018 to 2019: Band, Total (Points)
1 to 1: Cory, 2,740.42 (+740.49)
6 to 2: Black Dyke, 916.80 (+427.73)
22 to 7: Paris Brass Band, 462.57 (+396.81)
16 to 8: Flowers, 416.31 (+233.54)
23 to 14: Desford Colliery, 219.35 (+158.60)
9 to 9: Tredegar, 404.16 (+83.17)
8 to 10: Carlton Main Frickley Colliery, 402.60 (+76.37)
32 to 22: Friary Brass, 94.26 (+53.27)
10 to 11: Whitburn, 344.25 (+51.10)
73 to 29: Krohnengen, 55.29 (+40.10)
69 to 30: NASUWT Riverside, 54.34 (+8.07)
17 to 15: Burgermusik Luzern, 195.43 (+30.11)
53 to 31: Bayerische Brassband Akademie (+3BA), 47.87 (+26.94)
61 to 32: Northop Silver, 44.47 (+26.54)
31 to 25: Brass Band Schoonhoven, 66.43 (+24.17)
72 to 35: Brass Band Oberösterreich, 38.46 (+22.48)
28 to 23: GUS, 73.59 (+18.06)
57 to 36: Rainford, 36.67 (+16.72)
5 to 4: Eikanger-Bjørsvik, 681.19 (+12.19)
105 to 57: Unison Kinneil, 19.28 (+11.16)

2019 was a disappointing one for...

2018 to 2019: Band, Total (Points)
2 to 5: Valaisia Brass Band, 649.02 (-684.22)
3 to 3: Brighouse and Rastrick, 783.19 (-231.22)
7 to 16: Grimethorpe Colliery, 195.25 (-132.04)
4 to 6: Foden's, 578.63 (-109.46)
15 to 19: Fountain City, 110.38 (-78.26)
13 to 17: Manger Musikklag, 177.01 (-69.22)
14 to 18: Stavanger, 173.55 (-59.73)
24 to 53: Ensemble de Cuivres Valaisan A, 21.39 (-37.73)
12 to 13: Fairey, 233.40 (-32.08)
30 to 65: Brass Band Fribourg, 16.26 (-32.00)
20 to 27: Woodfalls, 62.21 (-29.03)
26 to 40: Brass Band Berner Oberland, 30.86 (-27.77)
18 to 21: the cooperation band, 104.80 (-26.41)
11 to 12: Brass Band Willebroek, 250.55 (-18.46)
39 to 66: Atlantic Brass Band, 15.68 (-13.42)
35 to 46: Tongwynlais Temperance, 24.20 (-12.84)
33 to 42: Buizingen, 28.12 (-12.81)
70 to 156: Oberaargauer Brass Band, 3.93 (-12.14)
40 to 63: Oslo Brass Band, 16.74 (-11.50)
49 to 75: Wingates, 12.71 (-9.91)

Ten best new entries in top 200

123rd: Brass Band Wipptal, Italy, 6.32
128th: Sydney City Brass, Australia, 5.89
133rd: Chapeltown Silver, Yorkshire, 5.05
136th: Sandefjord Brass Symposium, Norway, 4.83
137th: Roche Brass, West, 4.82
142nd: South Yorkshire Police, Yorkshire, 4.51
145th: Forest of Dean, West, 4.27
155th: Brassage, France, 3.95
157th: WA Brass, Australia, 3.92
158th: Stedfast Band, Ireland, 3.91

For the first time, we are also able to show you the top 20 bands of the past decade, based on results at all ranking contests held since January 2010.

Top 20 bands of the decade

1. Cory, Wales
2. Black Dyke, Yorkshire
3. Brighouse and Rastrick, Yorkshire
4. Foden's, North West
5. Tredegar, Wales
6. Eikanger-Bjørsvik, Norway
7. Grimethorpe Colliery, Yorkshire
8. Fairey, North West
9. Valaisia Brass Band, Switzerland
10. Carlton Main Frickley Colliery, Yorkshire
11. Leyland, North West
12. Flowers, West
13. Brass Band Willebroek, Belgium
14. Whitburn, Scotland
15. Burgermusik Luzern, Switzerland
16. Manger Musikklag, Norway
17. the cooperation band, Scotland
18. Paris Brass Band, France
19, Brass Band Schoonhoven, Netherlands
20. Stavanger, Norway

The next updated rankings will include the results of the Butlin's Mineworkers' Festival at Skegness, which gets the 2020 contesting season underway in under a fortnight!

Top 10 bands

1. Cory, Wales
2. Black Dyke, Yorkshire
3. Brighouse and Rastrick, Yorkshire
4. Eikanger-Bjørsvik, Norway
5. Valaisia Brass Band, Switzerland
6. Foden's, North West
7. Paris Brass Band, France
8. Flowers, West
9. Tredegar, Wales
10. Carlton Main Frickley Colliery, Yorkshire

To view all ranked bands go to:
www.4barsrest.com/rankings

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    


Fodens

Foden's regional reach out for 2026

September 17 • If you want some of the Foden's Area Championship winning formula to rub off on you, then why not sign up for some early test-piece prep.


Brighouse

Brighouse principal is lead off for Banding Together

September 17 • In a new PR profile initiative for the event, Tom Smith talks about his link to the National Championships at the Royal Albert Hall.


Norway

Concerto test for Norwegian elite

September 17 • Flavours of Rumba, Ravel and riotous ostriches courtesy of Derek Bourgeois will test the Elite Division contenders at the 2026 Norwegian National Championships.


National Championships

2026 Regional Championship test-piece announced

September 17 • Works by Martin Ellerby, Andrew Wainwright, Philip Harper, Gordon Langford and Eric Ball will test bands in their qualification bids for the Albert Hall and Cheltenham next year.


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band at Petworth Heritage weekend

Saturday 20 September • Centre of Petworth Town GU28 OAH


Cheltenham Silver Band - Holst Birthday Concert

Saturday 20 September • All Saints Church, All Saints Road, Pittville, Cheltenham GL52 2HG


Dobcross Silver Band - Milnrow Band

Sunday 21 September • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards Big Band

Friday 26 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Brass Bands England - The Brass Band Conference

Saturday 27 September • Redhills Durham Miners Hall, Durham DH1 4BE


Haverhill Silver Band

September 17 • Haverhill Silver Band (Championship Section) seeks a FRONT ROW CORNET (position negotiable). This is a superb opportunity to join East Anglia's premier brass band for the L&SC area contest, the Senior Cup, Whit Friday and beyond.


Cheltenham Silver Band

September 16 • Required:. Musical Director : Cheltenham Silver Academy Band Following the relocation of our current conductor we are looking for a progressive, passionate and dedicated individual to lead our Academy Band, and to support our continued improvement.


Chinnor Silver

September 16 • We need a Bass player (either Bb or Eb) and a percussionist to join our happy team! The band is promoted to the first section in 2026 and were also 2025 Second section National Finalists. We rehearse on Wednesday evenings in our own bandroom in Chinnor


Stephen Tighe

ARCM, LDBBA, (Dip)PFS.
Adjudicator / Music Director / Arranger


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd