*
banner

4BR Thursday Interview with Chris Guenault

We talk to Chris Guenault — the Relationship Manager of Future Talent — the charity founded in 2004 by The Duchess of Kent with the aim of breaking down barriers, creating opportunities and harnessing the power of music.

Future Talent
  The charity helps break down barriers to gain access for youngsters from households on low income and social deprivation.

Can't see the audio player below? Visit soundcloud.com/4barsrest

4BR finds out more about the work of the music charity founded in 2004 by The Duchess of Kent and Nicholas Robinson, with the aim of breaking down barriers, creating opportunities and harnessing the power of music to transform the lives of young musicians across the UK.

Exclusion

What makes its work so important is that its been widely confirmed over the years that hundreds of children with outstanding musical abilities from households on low income and social deprivation, have been excluded from by being able to access tuition services, instruments, courses, sheet music, technical equipment and even exams.

And with Covid-19 also having a pernicious effect Chris Guenault tells us Future Talent is busier than ever helping youngsters meet their dreams and aspirations.

Programmes

The charity runs two programmes:

The Development Programme supports musicians aged 13-18 years old

The Junior Programme supports younger musicians at an earlier stage of their musical development.

These aim to support, develop and listen to the needs and aspirations of our young musicians by providing a range of development opportunities such as expert masterclasses, world-class workshops, one-to-one mentoring sessions and performance opportunities.

Find out more:

https://www.futuretalent.org/articles/2021-22-applications-open

Award amounts vary from £400 on the Junior Programme, to scholarships on the Development Programme up to £2,000, per year.

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    


Civic Hall

Report & Result: 2026 Midlands Regional Championships Second Section

March 15 • Harborough Band claims the last Midlands title on offer for this year as they are joined in York by Leicestershire Co-op.


markham

Results: 2026 Welsh Regional Championships

March 14 • Cory reclaims the Welsh title as Parc & Dare, Markham & District, City of Cardiff (M2) and Gwaun Cae Gurwen claim section honours.


Pendennis

Results: 2026 West of England Regional Championships

March 14 • Flowers reclaim Area title with section wins for Lympstone, Lanner & District, St Pinnock and Pendennis Brass in Torquay


Shine

Ready to shine? NYBBGB offer audition skills workshops

March 14 • There are a trio of FREE audition skills workshops on offer from the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain to help young player's skills sets.


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


Enderby Band - Around the World in 80 Minutes

Friday 20 March • Wycliffe Rooms, George St, Lutterworth LE17 4ED


Contest: London & Southern Counties Regional Championships

Saturday 21 March • Arts & Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, Stevenage SG1 1LZ


Longridge Band - Spring Concert

Saturday 21 March • Longridge Civic Hall, 1 Calder Avenue, Longridge, Preston PR3 3HT


St John's Band (Mossley)

March 15 • We are a friendly, welcoming 4th section band based in Tameside, Greater Manchester. Following our 4th place at the North West regionals, we are looking for a SOLO CORNET player (position negotiable). We rehearse on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.


St John's Band (Mossley)

March 15 • We are a friendly, welcoming 4th section band based in Tameside, Greater Manchester.. . . Following our 4th place at the North West regionals, we are looking for a BBb BASS player.. . . We rehearse on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.


Linthwaite Band

March 14 • We are a welcoming 4th section contesting Band with a vacancy for a kit player. Our calendar is filling up with various contests and engagements to fulfil through the year.


Martin Heartfield

GGSM, ARCM, PGCE
Conductor, Adjudicator, Educationalist


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd