*
banner

Waiting for the National light to return...

Tuba player Sarah Billard plays her instrument on the hills near Hade Edge this weekend instead of at the Royal Albert Hall in London...

Billard
  Sarah Billard plays in the dusk light...

For the first time since returning to what has become its permanent home at the Royal Albert Hall in 1954, the National Championship of Great Britain will not take place this weekend.

Hiatus

World Wars were responsible for the hiatus of 1914-1919 and 1939-1944, but it is the first time that the event has not taken place outside these national emergencies.

Unfortunately the news has not garnered high profile national media attention, although hopefully the event's return in 2021 will be heralded by the type of coverage given to lottery funded pantomime shows.

Reflection

However, as always, well known press photographer Lorne Campbell has being doing his best to get brass bands into the national press and has taken this image of tuba player Sarah Billard in the hills near Hade Edge, Yorkshire to provide a reflection on the cancellation.

It has appeared both in the Yorkshire Post on Friday and Daily Telegraph today.

Sarah played with Hepworth Band as they qualified at the Yorkshire Regional Championships way back in March and has recently progressed to the final of the Foden's Over-18s Slow Melody contest.

Image courtesy of Lorne Campbell

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    


Symphony Hall

2028 European Championships to be held in Birmingham

April 24 • EBBA to run 50th anniversary event at Symphony Hall in Birmingham.


Linz

Report & Result: 10th European Solo Championship

April 24 • Young Swiss cornet star Simon Gabriel adds to his growing list of accolades as he becomes European Solo Champion in Linz.


Stevenage

Abusive and threatening behaviour sees ban

April 24 • The London & Southern Counties Regional Championships have acted to ban a band member after abusing and threatening behaviour towards a concert hall steward.


Fleetwood contest

Fleetwood live...

April 24 • If you can't get to Linz or Fleetwood this weekend you can still just sit back and enjoy the action from the comfort of your own home.


Newstead Brass - St George's Day Celebration

Saturday 25 April • St Wilfrid's Church. Church Street, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, NG17 8LA


Newstead Brass - St George's Day Celebration

Saturday 25 April • St Wilfrid's Church. Church Street, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, NG17 8LA


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


CLEETHORPES BAND CIO

April 23 • Cleethorpes Band are seeking a Musical Director. The band rehearse on Thursday and Sunday evenings. Placed 3rd in the North of England 4th section contest. We are a registered charity and have a thriving training band.


Leicestershire Co-op Band

April 23 • SOLO HORN Vacancy. The Leicestershire Co-op Band (2nd Section National Finalists & 1st Section from 2027) have a vacancy for Solo Horn. We are an ambitious band with a healthy balance of contests and concerts, always striving for high musical standards.


City of Norwich Brass

April 23 • City of Norwich Brass are seeking a talented and confident solo (tutti) cornet player to join our friendly and ambitious band. We offer a welcoming environment with a diverse and challenging musical repertoire playing at regular concerts and contests


Dr Brett Baker

BSc (Hons), ARCM, PG Dip
Marketing Lead, Denis Wick & Alliance Products; Artist at Michael Rath Instruments


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd