*
banner

Landmark broadcast for Cottier

The great Ian Cottier will notch up 40 years of bringing 'Time for Brass' to the airwaves for brass band lovers from Douglas to Dunedin to enjoy...

Ina
  Ian Cottier has presented Time for Brass for 40 years

There will be a wonderful 40th anniversary radio broadcast to enjoy this week (9.00pm on Monday 7th September) when the great Ian Cottier celebrates the landmark achievement with his latest 'Time for Brass' show on Manx Radio.

Worldwide

Ian, now 84 years of age, has long been a warm and welcoming voice in support of the brass band movement — and not only to the 85,000 people on the Isle of Man ever since he first put a recording of Edward Gregson's 'Prelude for an Occasion' on his turntable at Broadcasting House in Douglas all those years ago.

Thanks to advent introduction of new technology, such as the online radio player on the internet his programme can now be enjoyed across the world — with listeners regularly e-mailing him their requests from the furthest corners of the banding globe.

Requests

The 40th anniversary programme has already been recorded and was a special requests programme which Ian enjoys.

He told 4BR: "I try to include something for everyone — from serious works to soloists and easy listening items and I enjoy every minute of it.

I do 52 programmes a year so I've lost count exactly how many I've done or how many tracks have been played, but it's still wonderful to be able to provide brass band music every week to an audience that enjoys it."

I try to include something for everyone — from serious works to soloists and easy listening items and I enjoy every minute of itIan Cottier

Careers

4BR will be catching up with Ian once again after his 40th anniversary programme has been broadcast to find out more about a man who can boast three separate but equally rewarding 'careers' as he calls them — from a school headmaster and deck officer on tall ships to iconic brass band presenter!

Tune in

To tune into the 40th anniversary programme on Monday evening at 9.00pm, go to: https://www.manxradio.com/

FM & AM: 89; 89.5; 97.2; 103.7 & am1368

Ask you Smart Speaker for Manx Radio or download the mobile app or listen online at: https://www.manxradio.com/radioplayer/fm/

It is also available on catch up.

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    


RNCM

Ticket demand increases capacity for RNCM concerts

January 17 • High demand for tickets has seen the RNCM open its concert hall balcony for concerts at the forthcoming International Brass Band Festival.


Llwydcoed

Realism provides catalyst of hope for future for Llwydcoed

January 17 • Despite having to withdraw from contesting for the foreseeable future, Llwydcoed Band is determined to build on new foundations to serve their community.


AoBBA

AoBBA launch Development Programme

January 17 • A rebranded Development Programme brings added benefits to potential new adjudicator recruits.


Ross Knight

Gregson recording prelude to RNCM festival tribute

January 17 • Soloists Ross Knight, Rachel Roberts and Jennifer Galloway have been recording major concerto works of Edward Gregson with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra under Ben Gernon.


The Hepworth Band - Hepworth Band New Year Celebration Concert

Sunday 26 January • Christ Church, New Mill, Holmfirth HD97ER


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015. N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 8 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Haverhill Silver Band - Concert in Clare Church

Saturday 8 February • St Peter and St Paul Church, Clare, Suffolk CO10 8NY


Contest: North West Regional Championships

Sunday 23 February • Winter Gardens Complex, Church Street, Blackpool FY1 1HU


Reading Spring Gardens Brass Band

January 17 • Reading Band (current joint 1st place in the L&SC 4th section grading tables and 2024 4th section National Finalists) needs TROMBONES! Rehearsals in Woodley (RG5) on Thursday evenings with our new MD Stephen Bucknell.


Abertillery Town Band

January 16 • Abertillery Town Band are current Welsh 2nd Section Champions and are looking to strengthen their Front Row Cornet line, to defend their title in 2025. We are a busy band with Contest and Concert engagements in the Diary for this year.


Boarshurst Silver Band

January 13 • Boarshurst Silver Band, NW Championship Section, requires a talented BBb Bass Player. Under MD Jamie Prophet, the band have an ambitious and varied calendar for 2025, including NW Area, Spring Festival and Whit Friday


Darren R. Hawken

PGdip, BMus(hons) PGCE, dipABRSM, LRSM
Conductor, Arranger, Teacher, Adjudicator, Band Trainer


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd