*
banner

New work helps angels to keep caring

A new work for brass bands by composer Karl Whelan will help support NHS Charities Together.

Angels
  The work is dedicated to all NHS, care and key workers

Composer Karl Whelan is supporting the work of NHS staff, care and key workers with the release of a new work for brass bands.

All proceeds of the sale of his 'Hymn to the Angels' will be donated to NHS Charities Together.

The reflective work by the winner of the Wind Band Association's 20th Anniversary Composition Award is in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, and has a special personal affinity as his wife is a nurse working on the 'front-line'.

Dedicated

He told 4BR: "Despite the connotations of the words "hymn"and "angels", the work has no words and was never intended to be religious.

It is simply dedicated to all NHS staff, emergency services and everyone else who keep us safe, not only during these unsettling times, but always."

As well as writing 'Hymn to the Angels' for brass band, Karl has also scored the piece for wind band and orchestra, allowing the opportunity for the three ensembles to collaborate with the identical arrangements.

It is simply dedicated to all NHS staff, emergency services and everyone else who keep us safe, not only during these unsettling times, but alwaysComposer, Karl Whelan

Full score and parts

The full score and parts is available digitally at the moment (as PDFs) and details on how to purchase Hymn to the Angels can be found at:

https://karlwhelan.co.uk/hymn-to-the-angels

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    


Linz

2026 European Championships set-works announced

January 31 • A quartet of works by Austrian composers will be heard as the test-pieces in Linz.


Vary

Voice of Trumpet awarded Leonard Bernstein accolade

January 31 • French trumpet soloist Lucienne Renaudin Vary claims one of the most prestigious solo performer awards


The Fife Festival

Entries open for Fife Brass Band Festival

January 31 • Bands wishing to showcase their entertainment talents in Fife need to get their entries in.


Banding

Podcast: The Brass Monkeys — Episode 24

January 31 • The podcast with a North Walian banding accent...


Dobcross Silver Band - Whitburn Band

Sunday 1 February • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 6 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Oompah Brass XXL

Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Tintwistle Band

January 29 • We have a vacancy for a soprano cornet player, ideally able to join us long-term, but we are also looking to fill this position to compete in the 2nd section Midlands area contest in March 2026.. We enjoy all year round concerts, contests,and social events


Dodworth Colliery MW Brass Band

January 28 • Principal Cornet vacancy after March 2026. Our current player has asked for a very special 80th birthday present, a new player so that he can retire!. . Flexible rehearsal arrangements to support a good band - home life balance


Chinnor Silver

January 27 • Our COMMUNITY BAND is meeting again on Monday (2nd) 11 am and we would welcome any players who would like to join us for a friendly,relaxed rehearsal.. All abilities are welcome with a liking for cake and coffee. Blowing with us doesnt impact your no1 band


David Frame


Bass/Tenor Trombone Player, Adjudicator (Member of AoBBA) Occasional Conductor


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd