*
banner

Gourlay and Neish join Besson trio for Friday night entertainment

The brilliant tuba entertainers James Gourlay and Les Neish join the Besson trio of Harper, Mead and Webster for a great Friday night of chat, opinion and plenty of fun...

NeishGourlay
  The two tuba stars join the Besson trio this evening

There is the ideal opportunity to sit back and enjoy some great musical chat and opinions with the latest episode of 'Besson Fridays at Home', which will be aired at 6.00pm this evening.

Special guests with Philip Harper, Steven Mead and Roger Webster are the tuba tyros of James Gourlay and Les Neish.

Finest

The duo are regarded as two of the finest exponents of their trade in the musical world as well as being hugely respected teachers and conductors of note!

Les also studied with James at the Royal Northern College of Music some years ago (although they don't want to reveal just how far back it was!) and so the programme takes the opportunity to find out more about their joint experiences and memories as well as what they have been up to of late.

Great entertainment

There is plenty of great entertainment packed into the show — with clips of both performing interspersed with the chat and fun.

James tells us all about the River City Brass Band in Pittsburgh and gives us a fascinating insight into the workings of this incredible professional ensemble. Meanwhile, Les tells us more about his background, his family responsibilities and we even get a glimpse of his young daughter conducting.

There is plenty of great entertainment packed into the show — with clips of both performing interspersed with the chat and fun4BR

Quiz

The climax of the show this week is a rather extraordinary tuba quiz which hosts Phillip Harper, Steven Mead and Roger Webster had prepared for the virtuoso guests!

It's not to be missed!

Enjoy

Enjoy at: https://www.facebook.com/BessonBrass/

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    


Brisbane Exclesior

Results: 2026 Yamaha Australian National Championships

April 5 • Brisbane Excelsior regains National title with Grade honours to Willoughby Band No. 2, Whitehorse Brass, Hyde Street Youth, City of Ballarat Municipal Brass, Box Hill Academy Brass and Brisbane State High School Brass.


Principals

National Youth sets out musical principals ahead of twin concerts

April 5 • The 90 young players of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain are being out through their paces ahead of their twin Easter Course performances.


Elgar Festival

Elgar attractions gain ticket take up

April 5 • Brass Band Willebroek, Black Dyke, Foden's, Flowers, David Childs and the RBC Brass Band are attracting the crowds for their Elgar International Festival of Brass appearances.


BBCA

Pankhurst and Wainwright works to test conductor skills

April 5 • 'Ghosts of Industry' and 'Metamorphosis on Finlandia' will test the 10 semi-finalists in the Brass Band Conductors' Association Conducting Competition in June.


Regent Hall Concerts - Queentet Brass Quintet

Tuesday 7 April • Charlton House. Charlton Road . London SE7 8RE


Regent Hall Concerts - Central Band of the Royal Air Force

Friday 1 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 3 May • St Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street SE10 9BJ


Regent Hall Concerts - FiveBy5 Trumpet Quintet

Tuesday 5 May • Charlton House and Gardens. Charlton Road, . London. . SE7 8RE


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 8 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


CLEETHORPES BAND CIO

April 3 • We have vacancies for a trombone player and a bass player. Cleethorpes Band rehearse near the seafront on Thursday and Sunday evenings. Placed 3rd in the NOE 4th section. Other players are always welcome as we may be able to switch positions around


Tintwistle Band

April 2 • . Tintwistle Band are looking for a 2nd horn player to help complete the team.. We rehearse Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our own bandroom on Old Road in Tintwistle, and perform a variety of concerts all year round.


Tintwistle Band

April 2 • Tintwistle Band are looking for an Eb bass player to help complete the team.. We rehearse Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our own bandroom on Old Road in Tintwistle, and perform a variety of concerts all year round.


Alwyn Green

LRAM, LTCL
Conductor, composer, arranger, adjudicator, teacher and soloist


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd