*
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    


Wells Cathedral School

Wells Cathedral School to host brass attractions

January 15 • The British Trombone Society, The Royal Academy of Music and Onyx Brass will all be featured at Cedars Hall at Wells Cathedral School in Somerset in teh coming months.


Tredeagr

Goldscheider returns for Gregson Concerto with Tredegar

January 15 • The acclaimed French Horn soloist Ben Goldscheider reunites with Tredegar to perform the Edward Gregson Concerto at the RNCM International Brass Band Festival.


Lions Youth

Foden's stars boost Lions national challenge

January 15 • The musical connection between Foden's Band and the Lions Youth organisation has been at work to boost National Youth preparations.


Yule

Yule time celebrations at Whitburn

January 15 • Percussionist Chris Yule makes it an award double at the recent Whitburn Band presentation awards night.


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


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


Brunel Brass Organisation

January 13 • We're looking for a TENOR HORN player to join us, following invitation to the Spring Festival 2025. . We are a friendly and dedicated band with many contesting ambitions. . (1st Section West of England)


Uckfield Concert Brass

January 13 • Uckfield Concert Brass [in East Sussex] is looking for a top-flight musical director to lead the band as it continues to make great music into 2025 and beyond..


Dr Brett Baker

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


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd