*
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    


BrookWright

BrookWright Solo Competition finalists announced

August 25 • You can now vote for who you think should win the Under 18 and Over 18 categories of the 2026 BrookWright International Brass Solo Contest.


Climb every mountain

Wright & Round: Climb Ev'ry Mountain (Rodgers & Hammerstein arr. Philip Harper)

August 25 • You simply can't beat a belting classic from Julie Andrews...


bRASS IN cOCNERT

Brass in Concert Championship sold out

August 25 • There is not a seat left to be filled in the hall for the 49th Brass in Concert Championship this year.


British Open

British Open live-stream

August 24 • The 2026 British Open Championship will be live-streamed around the banding globe — so make sure you don't miss a note of the action.


Regent Hall Concerts - Cross Bones Trombone Quintet

Friday 21 August • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Sherborne Town Band - Free-Music in the park

Sunday 23 August • Sherborne, Dorset-Pageant Gardens DT9 3NP


Sherborne Town Band - Free-Music in the park

Sunday 13 September • Sherborne, Dorset-Pageant Gardens DT9 3NP


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards

Thursday 17 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Duchess of Edinburgh String Orchestra

Friday 18 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Wantage Silver Band

August 22 • Wantage Concert Brass (1st Section) are looking for a SOLO HORN and PERCUSSIONIST. Under the direction of our dynamic and inspiring MD Daniel Hall. This year we achieved 3rd at the L&SC regionals. We rehearse Tue & Fri 7:30pm- 9:30pm in our own bandhall


Ashington Colliery Band

August 20 • Front Row Cornet & 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.


Putney and Wimbledon Brass Band

August 18 • Putney and Wimbledon Band are looking for a percussionist, ideally tune although the ability to play an anvil is an absolute must! We play exciting music with lots of percussion so there's plenty to keep you occupied.


Martin Heartfield

GGSM, ARCM, PGCE
Conductor, Adjudicator, Educationalist


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd