*
banner

Abbey Brass make long awaited return to podium peak

Abbey Brass (Abingdon) certainly enjoyed their recent trip to 'Argos' at the Oxfordshire & District Association Contest.

Tomkins
  MD Rob Tompkins led the band to success

Abbey Brass (Abingdon) recently came away from the Oxfordshire & District Association Contest held at Marlborough School in Woodstock with a great contest winning boost.

Argos win

Led by MD Rob Tompkins they claimed the Fourth Section honours with a splendid performance of Stephan Hodel's 'Argos' — the work that will be used at the forthcoming Regional Championships in Stevenage.

In addition, their talented Eb tuba player James Ross claimed the 'Best Instrumentalist' award.

It was the band's first contest win since they re-registered as a Fourth Section band in 2014, with their last 'registered title' success claimed a far back as 1994.

Great opportunity

An understandably delighted MD, Rob Tompkins said: "Going to Oxford is a great opportunity for the players to get some contesting experience and to get a feel for playing in front of an audience and an adjudicator.

We really played as well as I could have hoped for with three weeks to go before we take to the stage at Stevenage."

Harper visit

The band will be enjoying a visit from Cory MD, Philip Harper this week as they prepare for that Regional Championship appearance, with Rob adding: "That gives me a great opportunity to see the very best conductor in action and to see what areas of the piece he works on with the band and the difference it makes."

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    


Childrens Band

Principal leads at NYBBGB Children's Band

July 28 • Young leaders get ready for a busy week of music making and concert finale.


Gavin Higgins

Higgins takes composer lead at Three Choirs Festival

July 28 • The award winning composer becomes the inaugural Associate Composer of the globally renowned Three Choirs Festival.


Richard Fice Award

Adams claims Richard Fice Award

July 28 • French horn player Jacob Adams has become the latest winner of the Richard Fice Memorial Award.


Fermanagh

Fantastic music making in Fermanagh

July 28 • A host of participants enjoyed themselves on the recent Fermanagh & Tyrone Brass Band Summer School.


Haverhill Silver Band - A Nightingale Sang... (an evening concert)

Saturday 2 August • Foakes Hall, Dunmow CM6 1DG


The Lindley Band - Parp and a Pint

Wednesday 6 August • 14a Holly Bank Road. Lindley. Huddersfield . West Yorkshire HD3 3 JE


Haverhill Silver Band - East Anglian Beer & Cider Festival

Sunday 24 August • St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury St Edmunds IP33 1QX


Haverhill Silver Band - Concert in Saffron Hall

Wednesday 27 August • Saffron Hall, Audley End Road, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11 4UH


Contest: 171st British Open

Saturday 6 September • Broad Street, Birmingham. B1 2EA


Alder Valley Brass

July 28 • We are looking for BBb bass and soprano cornet players to join our ambitious, busy and sociable 2nd section band (national finalists 2023) with a good blend of concerts, engagements and contests. Rehearsals Mondays and Thursdays 8-10pm in Farnham, Surrey


Dodworth Colliery MW Brass Band

July 25 • Ready for a NEW Music Challenge?. . Dodworth Brass Band, is looking for a new principal cornet as our current player prepares for retirement. Just 5mins from J37 M1. . friendly welcoming band with a packed calendar of exciting concerts & events. . . S75 3RF


Enderby Band

July 24 • Enderby Band (Leicestershire) are a Championship section band looking for: Bb BASS & PERCUSSION (expressions of interest from any perc disciplines are welcome). We are an ambitious, friendly, band with a sensibly full calendar of contests and concerts.


Nigel Seaman

ARMCM ARNCM
Conductor, band trainer, teacher and adjudicator


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd