*
banner

Bold approach for new podcast

Professional trombonist and brass teacher Melissa Brown has been speaking to fellow musicians to see how they have been overcoming the challenges of COVID-19.

Podcast
  Melissa Brown has been talking to fellow professional musicians for her podcast

During Covid-19 lockdown professional trombonist and brass teacher Melissa Brown found herself at a creative loose end.

Her usual busy schedule had been replaced on-line teaching and practise, but even those activities left plenty of musical time to fill.

Bold as Brass

However, as she told 4BR, Melissa found herself wondering how other brass players were keeping themselves busy and so started going through her contact book and started ringing them up to find out.

The result was her 'Bold as Brass' podcast — an online broadcast where she simply sat down and started chatting to fiends and colleagues.

There are now 16 episodes currently available to listen to with many more on their way with guests including Carol Jarvis, Duncan Wilson, Andy Kershaw and John Wallace.

Overcome challenges

Talking to 4BR Melissa said: "It started off as an idea which has simply grown and grown. It's great to be able to chat to fellow musicians and find out how they have been overcoming the challenges of the Coronavirus pandemic and especially the way it has affected their professional musical lives.

It's been hugely enjoyable and I hope informative for listeners — and the feedback I've had has been so uplifting that I'll keep going for some time yet until we all return to musical normality!"

There are now 16 episodes currently available to listen to with many more on their way with guests including Carol Jarvis, Duncan Wilson, Andy Kershaw and John Wallace4BR

Episodes

The episodes of Bold as Brass are released weekly on Sundays and are available on Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and via our host on LibSyn.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/boldasbrasspodcast

Instagram: @boldasbrasspodcast
Apple podcasts: apple.co/2Ab9vYR
Google podcasts: bit.ly/3dxquTD
Spotify: spoti.fi/3bhyEOF
boldasbrasspodcast.libsyn.com

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    


podcast

Podcast: Whisky High Notes: Episode 1

March 26 • Composer agent and whisky lover, Dr. Naomi Belshaw is joined by Sam McShane, Artistic Director of Kings Place to talk about whisky and classical music...


BrookWright

BrookWright Music: New Jerusalem (Kenneth Downie)

March 26 • A upbeat march to put a concert audience in an immediate good mood from Kenneth Downie.


Guildhall

Guildhall Solo Competition entries now open

March 26 • If you are a brass or percussion player aged 9-18 and Grade 3 and above, them why not enjoy yourself in competition and in finding out more about your playing skills...


Tine Thing Helseth

Best Classical Recording Award for Tine Thing Helseth

March 26 • The Norwegian trumpet soloist has won a prestigious Spellemannprisen for Best Classical Recording for her latest release, 'Echoes'.


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards

Thursday 26 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London. . W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Funny Bones Trombone Octet

Friday 27 March • Oompah Brass XXL. Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Brass Bands England - 2026 National Youth Brass Band Championships

Saturday 28 March • King Edward's School, Edgbaston Park Road, Birmingham B15 2UA


The Hepworth Band - Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra

Saturday 18 April • Huddersfield Town Hall HD1 2TA


Contest: Whit Friday March Contests

Friday 29 May • Saddleworth & Tameside OL3


Chinnor Silver

March 27 • We are a friendly progressive 1st Section band who need a couple of seats filled.. Bb BASS and PERCUSSIONIST are on our wanted list so if you are looking for a new banding challenge get in contact. We rehearse on Wednesdays and have good realistic diary.


Newport Borough Brass Band

March 27 • After a respectable 4th place in the 2nd Section at the Welsh Area Contest, we are looking for FRONT ROW CORNET (position negotiable) 1st BARITONE, 2ND TROMBONE and Bb BASS players to come and join us on our journey under the baton of Martin McHale BEM.


East London Brass

March 27 • PERCUSSION - ELB are the look out for a percussionist to complement our existing section. We have a sensible diary of contests and concerts and are ambitious to keep progressing as a band.


Mark Wilkinson


Cornet Soloist, Teacher, Adjudicator, Conductor


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd