*
banner

Top Cs featured on this week's Besson Fridays at Home

The father and son duo of Stephen and Philip Cobb are the guests Roger, Phil and Steve for a bit of Friday night chat this week.

Cobbs
  Philip and Stephen Cobb are the guests of the Besson Friday team

This week's Besson Fridays at Home special guests with Philip Harper, Roger Webster and Steven Mead are the father and son duo of Stephen and Philip Cobb.

Connections

Stephen tells us of his proud family connection to the Salvation Army, which stretches back to the organisation's origins.

He also talks about his own cornet playing aspirations as a young man, his development into a conductor and deep affection for the International Staff Band (ISB) which he has directed since 1994.

He is of course very proud of his son's great musical achievements!

Philip Cobb is regarded as one of the finest brass soloists in the world today.

After growing up in a family steeped in Salvationist musical brass banding history, he joined the London Symphony Orchestra as principal trumpet straight from his studies at the Guildhall School of Music.

He talks about his musical life and who he aspired to become a member of the ISB.

Stories

We hear some incredible stories from the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympics in London where Philip was featured as a soloist, his relationships with some world renowned conductors, and how he coped recently with the opening night of this year's Proms at an empty Royal Albert Hall.

There are some great video clips from the ISB, including the ISB120 celebrations, with Stephen and Philip both involved, and we hear some simply marvellous soundtracks for movies in which Philip has performed recently.

Sporran trouble

Stephen is asked to name his favourite iconic players from the ISB's history, and we also hear how Roger Webster got his water key stuck in the sporran of a kilt on the stage of the Sydney Opera house!

All this and more in this week's superb Episode 11 of Besson Fridays at Home

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

https://www.facebook.com/4barsrest

There are some great video clips from the ISB, including the ISB120 celebrations, with Stephen and Philip both involved, and we hear some simply marvellous soundtracks for movies in which Philip has performed recentlyBesson

Previous Episodes:

Episode 10:
Chris Bradley and Mike Cavanagh
https://www.facebook.com/BessonBrass/videos/378376613490663

Episode 9:
Helen Harrelson and Misa Mead
https://www.facebook.com/BessonBrass/videos/403404634387318

Episode 8:
Thomas Ruedi and Harmen Vanhoorne
https://www.facebook.com/BessonBrass/videos/403021190697675

Episode 7:
Davur Juul Magnussen and John Barber
https://www.facebook.com/BessonBrass/videos/4511865358886917

Episode 6:
Derick Kane and Stephen Kane
https://www.facebook.com/BessonBrass/videos/2697574597127493

Episode 5:
Ian Porthouse and Dewi Griffths
https://www.facebook.com/BessonBrass/videos/755381705256477

Episode 4:
James Gourlay and Les Neish
https://www.facebook.com/BessonBrass/videos/2864126147164239

Episode 3:
Owen Farr and Ailsa Russell
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2c-SLs3ujY&fbclid=IwAR1xdfk1dO_Z9xTV8-jnJXP6GP6cyxMxw_Th-W8QTrLM61VdpMxWV0Hwvi8

Episode 2:
Tom Hutchinson, Sheona White and Mark Wilkinson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yWqt_Az90I&fbclid=IwAR1EdTIm14XeEGTF6l1Wph3Rw0seCwAyRiY0IP8K95Orq5L5HsJbcJf6e8k

Episode 1:
Philip Harper, Steven Mead, Roger Webster and Tom Hutchinson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0VYGFu6rpE&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR1VKnZzVAQ3mPmG7HWKVFim8yAQgcTJNvRvzI8heK1D8S29pVNeyv5A-5w

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    


John Gillam

John Gillam funeral arrangements

May 12 • The funeral arrangements for the much respected former player and administrator have been announced.


Hold

BrookWright Music: He will hold me fast (Matt Merker arr. Noel Brooks)

May 12 • A trombone trio with a difference to add to any concert programme.


TNB

Podcast: That's Not Banding — Episode 20

May 12 • More from the Brighouse duo with their individual look at the banding world.


Drogheda

Report & Results: 2026 IABCB Irish National Championships

May 12 • Drogheda and INF Brass claim the brass band section titles at the recent Irish National Championships.


Harlow Brass Band - SPRING CONCERT - AN ANIMATION SENSATION

Saturday 16 May • St Andrew's Methodist Church. The Stow. Harlow. CM20 3AF


Sherborne Town Band - Free-Music in the park

Sunday 17 May • Dorchester- Park Bandstand DT1 1RG


Newstead Brass - Mansfield MVC - Brass and Voices

Sunday 24 May • Forest Town Arena. Clipstone Road West,. Mansfield NG19 0EE


Contest: Whit Friday March Contests

Friday 29 May • Saddleworth & Tameside OL3


The Hepworth Band - Brassband Burgermusik Luzern

Saturday 30 May • Dewsbury Minster, Vicarage Road, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire WF12 8DD


Chinnor Silver

May 11 • We are looking for PERCUSSIONISTS to join us as we head into an exciting period for the band.Good and varied diary ahead.. We rehearse on Wednesdays in our own bandroom (so none of that tedious setting up and down)


Hathern Band

May 10 • Due to University placement we require a Bb Bass player- we are a First Section band based at our own band room in the village of Hathern LE12 5LJ Leicestershire (between M1 Jcts 23 & 24) and close to Lougborough and Nottingham Universities


Newstead Brass

May 10 • Newstead Brass are on the lookout for a talented 2nd BARITONE player to join our ambitious and hardworking Nottinghamshire-based Championship Section band.. A rare chance to become part of an ambitious brass band striving for even greater success together.


Kevin Wadsworth


Conductor, adjudicator, teacher (ABBA)


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd