*
banner

Strong line-up for UK Band of the Year contest

10 top ranked bands will compete for the BrassPass UK Band of the Year title in Bolton later this year.

Band of the year
  The contest will take place at the Albert Halls in Bolton in May

There will be a strong line up of 10 competitors for this year's BrassPass UK Band of the Year Contest, which will take place at the Albert Halls, Bolton on Saturday 23rd May.

Terrific line-up

Contest organiser Martin Gernon told 4BR: "Once again, we have a terrific line up. Whilst the inaugural event was a testing ground for the contest, it was a huge success.

Bands, audience and the huge on-line listeners appreciated the format of a 30-minute playing set of serious repertoire, which saw only one piece duplicated.

This format showcases the positive aspects of what bands can do and I expect the programme choices to be even more mouth-watering than last year. We had several world premieres last year and from what I hear from the bands, more can be expected — we cannot wait!"

New venue

Speaking about the move to a new venue, he added: "We've moved to the Albert Halls for a number of reasons — firstly, as the increased audience capacity will create a terrific atmosphere whilst still remaining intimate.

The bar and catering facilities for the audience are much better and so too the rehearsal and warm up facilities for the bands, giving the perfect ingredients for a great day of contesting.

We want this contest to set the benchmark in every aspect and I'm grateful for the organising team behind me in ensuring this happens."

Afternoon start

Martin confirmed that there will be no gala concert this year. The contest will start at 2.00pm, with a scheduled finish of 9.30pm and a commitment that the results will be no later than 15 minutes after the final band has performed on stage.

Following the contest there will be Brass Party and cabaret also held in the Albert Halls.

This format showcases the positive aspects of what bands can do and I expect the programme choices to be even more mouth-watering than last yearContest organiser, Martin Gernon

Open adjudication

Open adjudication with a team of three internationally renowned adjudicators will once again be used. They will rank the bands 1-10, with the lowest aggregate score claiming the title.

Each band must include a soloist, which will also be ranked from 1-10. In the event of a tie for any position, the higher ranked soloist will take precedence for the overall result standing. Frank Renton will compere and earlier on the same day, the finals of the Young Brass Award will be held at the same venue.

Competing bands:


Black Dyke
Brighouse & Rastrick
Carlton Main Frickley Colliery
Cory (defending champion)
Fairey
Flowers
Hammonds
Tredegar
Whitburn
Wingates

Tickets are on sale through: www.quaytickets.com/Online/mapSelect.asp

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    


Hannah Peel

Radio: Brass Banding with Hannah Peel

April 25 • The first episode of the much anticipated new Radio 3 brass band series starts on Sunday with a musical trip to Norway...


Music

Own choice works revealed for Stavanger

April 25 • A wide ranging selection of major test-piece works will be performed in Stavanger.


NYBBGB

National Youth Band sells out in Halifax

April 25 • The National Youth Band of Great Britain will be joined by the British Army Brass Band for a sell out concert in Halifax this weekend.


bRADOFRD

Bradford boost for Black Dyke Band

April 25 • The Yorkshire champion's involvement in Bradford's celebration as the UK City of Culture on Radio 2 has gained widespread plaudits.


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


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 4 May • St Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street SE10 9BJ


Contest: European Brass Band Championshiips

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


Dobcross Silver Band

April 24 • Great opportunity for a PERCUSSIONIST to join this already talented section in what is already a band with a full brass section. We are looking to enhance our percussion section as we prepare for Nationals in September . Enjoyable playing and social band!


Hathersage Band

April 24 • SECOND TROMBONE. Hathersage Brass Band is a thriving non-contesting community band. We enjoy making music and have a comprehensive gig schedule. Are you the right person to join our happy band?


Chinnor Silver

April 22 • Our COMMUNITY BAND are recommencing rehearsals on 28th Monday at 11am in our bandroom and we would love you to join us.. We welcome players of all abilities who just fancy a friendly fun blow with cake and coffee thrown in.. Its all free so join us.


John Ward


Conductor, Adjudicator


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd