*
banner

Youthful Countdown to Christmas

Young players from the Accent Music Education Hub have worked with composers Paul McGhee and Lucy Pankhurst to provide a musical countdown to Chrsitmas.

McGhee
  Countdown to Christmas has been a great success

Composers Paul McGhee and Lucy Pankhurst have played a central part in working with young musicians in their local education hub to create an online advent calendar made up of socially distanced videos made over the last term

The duo work with youngsters in ensembles as part of the Accent Music Education Hub, the smallest peripatetic hub in England and helped to produce 'Countdown to Christmas' — an advent calendar of musical treats that started on December 1st and finished on the 18th — their last day of term.

Thrilled

Speaking about their involvement Paul told 4BR that he was thrilled that the youngsters could put something together in this way. "We are a very small service in the Hatton and Warrington area but it is also a really vibrant one with the teaching of brass and woodwind to wonderful young players.

We were delighted to be involved in the initiative, which the youngsters filmed themselves playing the parts and we managed to put together. There were over 50 players involved and everyone was brilliant."

Enjoy:

The videos can now all be enjoyed on a special website that has been created by fellow composer Andrew Baker at: www.accentensembles.co.uk

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    


Yorkshire

Yorkshire Committee issues Third Section statement

March 8 • The Yorkshire Regional Championship Committee has clarified the reason behind the delay in the announcement of the Third Section results in Huddersfield.


Market Rasen

Results: 2026 Midlands Regional Championships

March 7 • Area title success for GUS, Rushden Town, Market Rasen and Cubbington Silver Band in Bedworth.


Perth

Results: 2026 Scottish Championships

March 7 • Whitburn claim the domestic honours as Kirkintilloch Kelvin, Johnstone, Selkirk Silver and Bon-Accord B take section titles in Perth.


South Yorkshire Police

Results: 2026 Yorkshire Regional Championships

March 7 • Area title success for Hepworth, South Yorkshire Police, Hatfield & Askern Colliery, Drighlington and Queensbury Music Centre in Huddersfield.


Regent Hall Concerts - London Central Fellowship Band

Saturday 7 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Regent Hall Band of the Salvation Army

Tuesday 10 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Queen Victorias Consort

Friday 13 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Slide Effect Trombone Quartet

Friday 20 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London. . W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Welsh Guards Band Septet

Friday 20 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Rushden Town Band

March 8 • 2nd Trombone for Midlands Area First Section Champions 2026.


Glossop Old Band

March 7 • Our friendly second section band are looking for a principal cornet player to join us for contests, concerts and exciting new projects. Glossop Old Band is situated between Manchester and Sheffield and rich in history.


Waltham St. Lawrence Silver Band

March 6 • Our non-contesting community band, based near Maidenhead, Bracknell and Reading, seeks:. . Solo Euphonium . 1st Horn . 2nd Baritone .


John Maines

BA (Hons)
Presenter, compere and conductor


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd